ARDAL NORTH EAST: Penycae celebrate long awaited derby win over Cefn Albion
ARDAL NORTH EAST – NOVEMBER 29
Cefn Albion 2 Penycae 3
Ben Buley’s superb 75th minute free-kick secured Penycae their first league win over Cefn Albion since 2018-19.
Before Saturday’s triumph, Pen had not beaten the Cefners in 10 attempts, dating back to 2018-19 when the Afoneitha side won 4-2 in a Welsh National League Premier Division clash.
Since that April 2019 occasion, Albion had won eight and drawn two of the subsequent 10 clashes.
So the weekend result at The Muga meant quite a bit more than the three points and local bragging rights to Penycae.
CEFN ALBION v PENYCAE RECENT LEAGUE HISTORY
2025-26 – Ardal North East
29.11.25: Cefn Albion 2 Penycae 3
2024-25 – Ardal North East
9.4.25: Cefn Albion 3 Penycae 0; 16.11.24: Penycae 1 Cefn Albion 3
2023-24 – Ardal North East
15.5.24: Penycae 3 Cefn Albion 7; 24.4.24: Cefn Albion 2 Penycae 1
2022-23 – Ardal North East
11.4.23: Cefn Albion 2 Penycae 2; 17.8.22: Penycae 1 Cefn Albion 1
2021-22 – Ardal North East
19.3.22: Cefn Albion 4 Penycae 0; 23.10.21: Penycae 1 Cefn Albion 4
2019-20 – Welsh National League Premier Division
4.1.20: Penycae 0 Cefn Albion 5; 14.8.19: Cefn Albion 3 Penycae 2
2018-19 – Welsh National League Premier Division
30.4.19: Penycae 4 Cefn Albion 2; 1.12.18: Cefn Albion 7 Penycae 1
.Pen are now up to third in Ardal North East while the Cefners sit fifth in what is proving to be a promising season for both sides.
Captain Zac Davies fired Penycae into the lead in the 23rd minute with his 17th goal of the season, Thomas Edwards with the assist.
The hosts levelled on 40 minutes through Alex Williams, a trademark finish and a 13th goal of the campaign making it 1-1 at the interval.
Just before the hour, 17-year-old hotshot Thomas Broadhurst put Albion in front with his 10th net-finder of 2025-26, Williams supplying the opening.
Penycae responded when their man of the match Callum Dutton scored with a header from a corner by Zac Davies.
Then that magical free kick 15 minutes from time by Buley sealed the landmark win for the visitors.
In the aftermath of the free kick award, a frustrated Josh Millington received a second yellow card for dissent, leaving Albion down to ten.
The Albion players were claiming a handball in the buildup that led to the free kick.
Despite pushing hard for an equaliser late on, it wasn’t to be for Cefn, as Penycae held out for what is also their first win over their local rivals in the Ardal Northern League.
Rhos Aelwyd 3 Llandrindod Wells 1
Ruben Edwards handed Llandrindod a 17th minute lead at Ponciau Park, but Rhos hit back to win 3-1 courtesy of goals from Ryan Jenkins after 35, then subs Evan Davies with 79 gone and Osian Phillips on 81.
Llanfair United 3 Knighton Town 4
With leaders Llanuwchllyn not in action, second-place Knighton closed the gap to five points with a close-fought victory at Mount Field.
Ryan Jones, Luke Boundford, Callum Stead and Taylor Wozencraft shared the away goals, Josh Ashley, Nyasha Mwamuka and Tomos Jones responding.
Llangollen Town 4 Lex XI 1
After 15 matches without a win Llangollen at last broke their league duck at the expense of bottom side Lex.
Keiron Hughes, Ben Realey, Louie Middlehurst and Iwan Hardy notched a goal apiece for the hosts, sub Tiler Moorcroft-Jones with a consolation for Lex.
Llanrhaeadr 1 Bow Street 2
Billy Clarke delivered Llanrhaeadr a 12th minute lead, but Bow rallied to win via goals from Rhys Hughes after 42 and Courtney Perkins on 58,