Uefa Conference League: Welsh clubs ready for first qualifying round

Penybont face Andorra’s FC Santa Coloma for the second time in three years when they meet in the Conference League first qualifying round.

The sides drew 1-1 in the first leg at Bridgend’s Brewery Field in 2023, with Chris Venables scoring a second half equaliser.

Venables was sent off in a bad-tempered second leg and Coloma scored two goals in extra time to progress.

“It does help that we’ve been there before,” said midfielder Mael Davies, who scored in the play-off final win over Haverfordwest County which sealed a place in Europe.

“In terms of them as a team, they’re very fit and it’s a very hot country, so that weather does play a part.

“They’ll be sharp, intense, quick, they’ll be fit and they’re a full-time outfit while we’re semi-professional.

“But I think as a squad, we’re stronger now and we’re feeling quite confident.

“We’ve done really strong recruitment over the summer, bringing boys in who have played at a good standard, which has raised our standards as well.”

Cardiff City Stadium hosts Thursday’s first leg with 40-year-old forward Venables still a key member of Rhys Griffiths’ squad.

Davies says playing at home in the first leg will give Penybont a boost.

“Last year we played away first and we lost 3-0 and the tie was dead and buried coming into the home game,” Davies said of the defeat to Kauno Zalgiris of Lithuania.

“Hopefully we get a big crowd and hopefully they can be like a 12th man for us to get that result going out to Andorra then.”