Former Bluebirds Defender Gethin Joins Welsh League Penybont

Former Cardiff City defender Gethin Jones has signed for Welsh League Penybont FC.

Carmarthen-born Jones made six appearances for the Bluebirds 15 years ago including two 7-1 wins, against Rushden, when Gavin Gordon scored four goals, and Oldham Athletic.

Andy Campbell netted a hat-trick against Oldham.

Jones, 35, played for Southern League Cirencester Town last season, while he has also had two spells with Merthyr Town and made more than 200 appearances for Bath City.

Jones has a vast amount of experience in Welsh football, having played in the top flight with Carmarthen Town and Port Talbot Town.

The 36 year-old won the Southern League Premier title with Bath back in 2007 and was also in the team which earned promotion to the Vanarama National League via the play-offs in 2010.

Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths has also signed Bradley Flay from Monmouth Town.

The former Wrexham trainee spent three years at Cardiff City before joining Newport County.

Attacking midfield player Flay, a Welsh schools and Welsh universities international, was released by Newport. He then played at the Nike Academy and that led to Flay earning a professional contract with Wrexham.

Liam Walsh, 21, has also joined Penybont.  He played for Cymru Alliance winners Prestatyn Town last season and had a loan spell with Gresford Athletic.

Swansea-born midfield player Walsh previously played youth football for Swindon Town and Wrexham.

Pontypridd Town have signed of experienced David Burnett and Gavin Beddard.

They narrowly missed promotion last season and are intent on going up this time.

Burnett is a former Port Talbot and AFC Porth goalkeeper, while forward Beddard played for Dinas Powys and was voted player of the year.

He also scored more than 30 goals over two seasons for Cogan Coronation where he was also manager.

Among the players staying with Ponty are Callum Meyer, Bo Cordle, Matthew Hibbs, Gareth Hole, Adam Johns, Zac Iheanacho, Bobby Briers and Scott Hillman.

Pontypridd Town are moving from Ynysangharad Park to a new home venue at the University of South Wales Sports Park.

A club statement said: “We are delighted to announce that as of the 2017-18 season the team will move into the state of the art USW Sport Park, Treforest.

“Pontypridd Town have done everything we can to renovate our Ynysangharad Park base, but due to constraints by the council as it is a memorial park, this has not been possible.

“Other links were also considered, partnering with Pontypridd Rugby, Pontypridd high school and more recently, looking to utilise the facilities at the Maritime. However, all presented issues that ultimately meant we had to look elsewhere.

“This link with the University of South Wales is fantastic and will ensure the club now has the facilities off the pitch to match our future ambitions.

“Everybody at the club has worked so hard over the past few years to make this move happen and we are delighted that we can finally look to a brighter future for Pontypridd Town.”

Ynysangharad Park will stage Pontypridd’s Nathaniel MG Cup fixture against Taffs Well and any other further midweek cup matches.

The first game scheduled to be played at the USW Sports Park is Pontypridd’s second Welsh League game of the season against Aberdare Town.

Welsh League Nathaniel Car Sales Cup first round: Pontyclun v Pontypridd Town, Pontardawe v Ton Pentre, Cwmamman United v Goytre FC, Croesyceiliog v Chepstow Town, Ynysygerwn v Panteg, Treowen Stars v AFC Llwydcoed, Port Talbot v Ely Rangers, Neuadd Wen v West End, Caldicot Town v Bridgend Street, Abergavenny Town v Goytre United, Tredegar Town v Haverfordwest County, Monmouth Town v Penrhiwceiber, Llantwit Major v Garden Village, Treharris Athletic Western v Cambrian & Clydach BGC, Trethomas Bluebirds v Team Swansea, Taffs Well v Dinas Powys.

Byes: Ammanford, Caerau Ely, Cwmbran Celtic, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Caerau, Llanelli, Penybont, Newport City, Trefelin, STM Sports, AFC Porth, Afan Lido, Undy Athletic, Risca United, Aberdare Town.

Matches to be played Tuesday, August 15 or Wednesday August 16.

Nathaniel Car Sales Cup second round: Croesyceiliog/Chepstow Town v Caerau, Pontyclun/Pontypridd Town v Treharris, Athletic Western/Cambrian & Clydach BGC, Afan Lido v Ynysygerwn/Panteg, AFC Porth v Llanelli, Cwmamman United/Goytre FC v Llantwit Major/Garden Village, Pontardawe/Ton Pentre v Trethomas Bluebirds/Team Swansea, Abergavenny Town/Goytre United v Treowen Stars/AFC LLwydcoed, Monmouth Town/Penrhiwceiber v Cwmbran Celtic, Newport City v Risca United, Briton Ferry Llansawel v Taffs Well/Dinas Powis, Aberbargoed Buds v Tredegar Town/Haverfordwest County, Caerau Ely v Neuadd Wenn/West End, Caldicot Town/Bridgend Street v Penybont, STM Sports v Undy Athletic, Ammanford v Port Talbot/Ely Rangers, Trefelin v Aberdare Town.

Matches to be played Tuesday, August 22 or Wednesday, August 23.

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