Cymru Premier: Wise cracker secures Druids a draw, plus table update

Penybont 1 (Ahmun 71)

Cefn Druids 1 (Wise 87)

Cymru Premier – November 29, 2020

Jacob Wise well and truly announced his arrival in the Cymru Premier yesterday with a stunning equaliser in bottom side Cefn Druids’ commendable draw at Penybont.

Giant defender Wise, who joined the Ancients this season after an impressive debut campaign with Holywell Town in the Cymru North, cracked home a magnificent dipping volley to secure a point.

Despite a feeling of confidence from the Druids entering this game after a solid performance the week earlier in a narrow 2-1 loss against Connah’s Quay, it was the hosts who started on the front foot.

However, the visitors defence held firm with Philip Mooney, Aaron Simpson and Wise blocking attempts on goal.

As the half wore on, Druids began to create chances. From a rapid break Sam Phillips found Christoph Aziamale, whose fierce strike just cleared the crossbar.

In the best chance of the half, Naim Arsan’s cross was headed on by Wise into the path of Simpson seven yards out, but his volley was somehow kept out by the outstretched leg of Penybont keeper Ashley Morris.

Half-time: 0-0

Druids started the second half in lively fashion, but the final ball was lacking.

Cymru Premier veterans Jamie Reed and Alex Darlington came on after 59 and 66 minutes respectively for Aziamale and Ryan Kershaw to give Druids different options in attack.

It seemed Cefn were in control of the game but in the 71st minute Ben Ahmun put Penybont ahead.

From a quick counter, home keeper Michael Jones slammed the ball against Ahmun, whose subsequent effort was cleared, but the striker’s second attempt was a magnificent precision chip which dipped under the bar.

This knocked Druids back, but then in the 87th minute, a headed defensive clearance picked out Wise, who hit the sweetest volley imaginable into the corner of the net from 25 yards.