Nathan Wood: Penybont star makes up for lost time after Newport County move

Nathan Wood is hoping to make up for lost time after missing Penybont’s European debut for a dream move to Newport County.

The 28-year-old had played a key part in Bont’s third-place finish in the JD Cymru Premier in 2022/23, which saw the club qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, contributing 11 goals and five assists.

But instead of lining up to face FC Santa Coloma in the UEFA Conference League that summer, the forward was getting to grips with professional football for the first time at Rodney Parade.

Wood played 20 games for the Exiles across two years, including a substitute appearance against Manchester United in the FA Cup, but is now back at Bont permanently after a loan spell last season. He could finally be set to make his European debut against Lithuanian league leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris on Thursday.

“For me, I missed out last time when we qualified for Europe previously,” Wood said. “It was the summer that I signed for Newport, it was something I remember watching when I was there.

“I was thinking I’d love to be a part of it, from a personal perspective I’m really looking forward to just experiencing it. I’ll take great pride in representing Bridgend against some of the best teams in Europe, and hopefully we can leave a good account of ourselves, and qualify a week after. The boys have got a bit of experience now, it’s really starting to show.”

As well as appearing against Manchester United during his time at Newport, Wood also featured against another Premier League side in Brentford and scored his first professional goal against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy.

“I achieved some really big things at Newport,” he said. “I never dreamt that I would share a pitch with Manchester United players, and swapping shirts with Bruno Fernandes, and playing against Brentford. All those things for massive.

“For me, and for how much Penybont means to me as an individual, me being on this journey and playing in Europe, it will be right up there as well. I know how much it meant in the relegation battle in our first season.”

Wood’s loan spell at Bont last season helped him rediscover the form that earned him his big move, as he scored four goals and assisted eight more in 15 league games.

However, disaster struck against Cardiff Met on New Year’s Eve as he suffered an injury which would force him to miss the remainder of the campaign.

He was forced to undergo surgery, and it will be at manager Rhys Griffiths’ discretion as to whether he is fit enough to play over the next fortnight, but whether he plays or not, Wood will take pride in being a part of the occasion.

“I think the injury was worse than I first thought,” he admitted. “I had surgery in the middle of January, it was a frustrating one. I thought personally I was doing quite well at the time as well.

“It took longer than I thought to come back. I’m still touch and go. We’ll see whether it’s a little too soon or not. If I’m not involved, there will be someone as good going in as well.”

One player who could make the difference for Penybont is last season’s top scorer James Crole, who arrived from Cardiff City last summer. The 21-year-old shared the JD Cymru Premier Golden Boot with Caernarfon Town’s Louis Lloyd, with the pair scoring 16 goals during the regular season.

“He’s a top top player,” Wood stated. “I wish he realised how good he was sometimes. He’s a brilliant footballer and already he’s carried on his form in pre-season.

“Croley and I have sent a little goal for ourselves this season this year as well, fingers crossed we can get those goal involvements between us. In terms of understanding and knowing that connection, he’s my favourite forward to play with. I know where he is going to run and vice versa.

“Croley is a top player and you have got Venners (Chris Venables) as well who is showing him the ropes as well and helping him score goals.

“He’s got all the attributes and all the guidance to go on and have a really good career. The first thing is for him to score some goals in Europe.”