|
TON PENTRE 3 - 3 BRIDGEND TOWN
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Wednesday 2nd April 2008
Following a disastrous twenty minute spell in the second half of their match with Bridgend Town, Ton Pentre found themselves 3-1 down having taken a 1-0 lead into half time. The Rhondda Bulldogs managed to claw their way back into the match and salvage a point as their title challenge suffered another knock.
It’s Ton Pentre’s home form that is denting their chances of league glory with them winning just one point in their last three matches at Ynys Park.
Their first half performance was first-rate as they created ample opportunities to score throughout.
They almost took a third minute lead through Mark Crutch who hit the crossbar after some excellent build-up play from Alyn Jones and Jonathan Kift.
Having survived several Bridgend Town opportunities that were missed by Ryan Jenkins, Laith Jawad and Raith Plant, Ton Pentre took the lead in the 24th minute of play.
Phil Clarke was set free on the left and after dummying a Bridgend Town defender he opened up room to launch a cross into the penalty area. Andrew Pearson connected with the ball and headed it in past goalkeeper Brendan Cropley.
Ton could have grabbed a second before half time with a similar chance. This time the cross came from the boot of Alyn Jones on the right and was met by the head of Kift, but the striker’s effort went into Cropley’s arms.
The Rhondda Bulldogs made a very unconvincing start to the second half and the inevitable happened on 57 minutes.
From a wide position on the left former Bulldog Raith Plant lobbed Marty Ellacott to score with a wonderful strike to equalise for the visitors.
On the hour the Ton defence crumbled allowing Bridgend Town to take the lead before Jonathan Keaveney grabbed Bridgend’s third on 63 minutes.
That goal looked to have put the match beyond Ton Pentre but there was more excitement to come when Mattie Davies was introduced into the match by replacing Alyn Jones.
Two minutes after Kift had hit the post in the 72nd minute, he set Davies free at goal who scored to make it 3-2.
Ton were heaping pressure on Bridgend and as Andrew Pearson made a 76th minute run into the box with the ball, Geraint Frowen pulled him to the ground denying the player an opportunity to score. Referee Lee James awarded Ton Pentre a penalty and Andrew Hughes smashed home the equalising goal to rescue a point for the Rhondda Buldogs.
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Phil Clarke; 3.Ryan Morgan; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Mike Jones (17.Richard Stevens 81); 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Nicky Jones (14.Dale Price 85); 9.Andrew Pearson; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Alyn Jones (12.Mattie Davies 68).
Subs not used: 15.Ryan Shugars & 16.Dane Williams.
Goals: Pearson 24; Davies 74; Hughes (Pen) 76
Booked: Hughes 86; Matthews 90+4
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
|
