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BARRY TOWN 2 - 2 TON PENTRE
Friendly Fixture
Tuesday 31ST July 2007
Ton Pentre were left still searching for their first pre-season victory after a Phil Allen own goal within the last ten minutes of the match saw Barry Town draw level.
The Dragons had three former Ton Pentre players in their starting eleven with Gareth Picknell, Rob Blatchford and Jamie Bradford all taking part. If Barry Town can hold onto players of this calibre they may very well feel that they can challenge for promotion in the coming season to get themselves out of division two of the Welsh League.
Meanwhile the Rhondda Bulldogs welcomed back Alyn Jones and Ryan Shugars into the team after both players were unavailable for the defeat against Cinderford Town. Also taking part in the match for Ton was former QPR and Cardiff City professional Leon Jeanne, who impressed after being brought on as a second half substitute.
Ton Pentre were quite fluid in this match playing some lovely football. There was the odd blunder but Kevin Richards and his assistant Mark Evans will look to iron these mistakes out before the start of the 2007/08 campaign.
The Rhondda Bulldogs could have taken the lead in the 15th minute when following a foul tackle in the box, the referee awarded Ton a penalty. Jonathan Kift stepped up to strike from the spot but sent his kick over the crossbar.
Following this Barry Town grew in confidence and Jamie Bradford rode three Ton challenges to set up a fellow team-mate who put the ball through Marty Ellacott’s legs and into the goal on 32 minutes.
The lead was short lived as Ton drew level five minutes later when Kift made up for his penalty miss by scoring a goal after some lovely build up play from Dane Williams and Alyn Jones.
Barry should have regained the lead almost immediately after this when Blatchford found himself in the box with just Ellacott to beat, however, he blazed his shot high over the bar.
Ton Pentre worked the ball down to the other end of the pitch and Kift scored his second goal of the match to give the Bulldogs the lead. His finish for this goal was sublime as from wide on the right of the box he neatly lobbed the Barry keeper.
Ton remained the more dominant team in the second half but Barry Town were given a 70th minute chance to draw level when they were awarded a penalty after a mistimed tackle in the Ton box. Marty Ellacott dived to his left and pushed the ball away out to the edge of the box where it was cleared from danger.
From here it looked as though Ton would go on to win the match as they appeared reasonably comfortable, however, during the 81st minute of play Phil Allen, while attempting to clear the ball up field from inside the box, sliced his clearance into the back of the net.
Despite not getting the win Ton Pentre should feel quite happy following this performance and will now look to their next pre-season friendly against Rhydfelen on Thursday 2nd August 2007.
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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