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BRIDGEND TOWN 2 - 4 TON PENTRE
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Saturday 1st September 2007
Ton Pentre found the key at Locks Lane to comfortably beat Bridgend Town at their temporary home in Porthcawl.
The Rhondda Bulldogs, sponsored by Gus Propertis Ltd, were on top form during the first half of the match taking a 3-0 lead into the half time interval. It wasn’t so simple in the second half however, as Bridgend battled back to 3-2 before Ton secured all three points with a goal in the 90th minute.
Ton were awesome in the first 45 minutes with their attackers giving the Bridgend defence a torrid time. The pace of Jonathan Kift and Alyn Jones upfront was a huge concern for the home team as the players constantly found themselves in one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper.
After just 3 minutes of play Kift received the ball from a Dale Price cross and found himself with just Brendan Croppley to beat but the former Cardiff City striker hit the ball straight into the Bridgend keeper’s hands.
Six minutes later Jones found himself in a similar situation as he broke free of the defence. He took the ball around Croppley but missed the gaping goalmouth hitting the left hand post instead.
Ton Pentre opened their goalscoring account in the 13th minute when they were awarded a free kick on the right deep inside the Bridgend Town half. Price took the free kick and found defender Mike Jones in the box. His strike hit the post and deflected into the net for 1-0.
Ton could have doubled or tripled their lead in the time it took them to score their next goal. They finally made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute when Alyn Jones picked up possession in midfield after Lee Matthews had done well to tackle the ball from an opponent. Jones burst through the Bridgend defence and nobody was able to catch him. He lifted the ball over Croppley and into the net for a cracking goal.
Moments later Ton made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after a Bridgend player had handled the ball from Kift’s shot in the box following a corner kick. Price stepped up to take it and sent the ball to the keeper’s left.
As the match approached the hour mark Bridgend were handed a way back into the game when Mike Jones tripped an attacker in the Ton box. Former Bulldog, Tom Billings scored from the penalty spot.
Ton were wasteful once again during the second half after failing to convert some golden goalscoring opportunities, one of which was created in the 70th minute when Price broke free on the right to send an early cross into the box for Kift, but the Ton striker headed his effort straight into Croppley’s arms.
Bridgend reduced Ton’s lead further in the 88th minute when the Rhondda Bulldogs conceded from a corner at the front post.
Following this Bridgend were reduced to 10 men when Tom Billings was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card for simulation when he dived on the edge of the box attempting to win what would have been a well positioned free kick.
Ton secured the win in injury time when Alyn Jones looped the ball over the defence for Christian Orchard’s run. Orchard coolly knocked the ball over Croppley who had raced off his line to narrow the angle.
There is no match on Saturday 8th September due to the Wales v Germany European Championship Qualifier at the Millennium Stadium (kick off 7.30pm). The Bulldogs next match is on Saturday 15th September at Ynys Park for the Welsh Cup first round game against division three outfit Aberbargoed Buds (kick off 2.30pm).
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott (Captain); 2.Dale Price; 3.Phil Clarke; 4.Mike Jones; 5.Mark Crutch; 6.Scott Hayward; 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Andrew Hughes; 9.Alyn Jones; 10.Ryan Morgan (17.Ryan Shugar, 52mins); 11.Jonathan Kift (15.Christian Orchard, 73mins).
Subs not used: 12.Scott Jones; 14.Dane Williams & 16.Ryan Stevens
Goals: M.Jones 13mins; A.Jones 42mins; Price 44mins (Pen) & Orchard 90+3mins
Booked: M.Jones 8mins.
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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