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CWMBRAN TOWN 0 - 2 TON PENTRE
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Saturday 29th March 2008
Ton Pentre got back to winning ways by playing some excellent football in difficult conditions at Cwmbran Town as a goal apiece from Mark Crutch and Andrew Hughes helped the Rhondda Bulldogs open up a five point lead at the top of the MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One table.
Following the disappointment of two consecutive defeats to Dinas Powys and Bryntirion Athletic, a victory against Cwmbran became even more crucial towards Ton’s bid for league glory.
Phil Clarke, making his first start since October, put in a man of the match performance with his runs up and down the left wing stretching his opponents throughout the game. His crosses into the box constantly caused Cwmbran problems while helping to create Ton’s best chances of the match.
The Rhondda Bulldogs, sponsored by Gus Properties Ltd, could have found themselves a few goals to the good in the opening 15 minutes of play.
A lovely pass to the left from Nicky Jones brought Clarke into play and when he cut inside the box the player decided to take a strike at goal. His effort was deflected off target by a Cwmbran defender but it was a good chance nonetheless.
Moments later, following a foul on Andrew Hughes, Andrew Pearson took a 25 yard shot from the resulting free kick and was unlucky to see his attempt tipped over the cross bar by Richard Jeffries.
The Bulldogs came just as close in the next attack when Clarke crossed into the box where Lee Matthews brought the ball down for Ryan Shugar to shoot but a defender on the line kicked the ball clear.
On 20 minutes Clarke was fouled deep inside the Cwmbran half and from Shugar’s free kick Mike Jones headed the ball onto the crossbar much to the home team’s relief once again.
Cwmbran’s luck ran out during the 36th minute of play when Ryan Shugar played a short corner to Nicky Jones who sent a lovely ball into the near post. Mark Crutch was well positioned to flick the ball with his head into the net to give his team the lead.
Five minutes before half time Ton Pentre’s good work was almost undone when a Cwmbran striker was allowed to run from the halfway line into the box. Only a super save from Marty Ellacott could deny the player which allowed a Ton defender to clear the ball up field.
After nearly scoring a second goal on 53 minutes through Alyn Jones, Cwmbran Town put Ton Pentre under pressure on several occasions during the second half. Mike Jones was forced into making a last ditch sliding tackle in the box, that he executed to perfection, to deny a striker a free shot on target. And a little later on Ellacott was forced into making two brilliant saves to rebuff a shot from a free kick and then to stop a strike from close range after an attacker had jinked his way through the defence.
Ton Pentre survived though and secured the points in the 76th minute when Clarke was released up the left to send a first-rate cross into the danger zone which cut out the Cwmbran defence. The ball fell to Hughes who had time and space to shoot and score past Jeffries.
This was a splendid all-round performance by the Rhondda Bulldogs which left the travelling support very content with what they had seen. Ton Pentre now look forward to Bridgend Town’s visit to Ynys Park on Wednesday 2nd April at 7.30pm. Then on Saturday 5th April at 2.30pm the Bulldogs face Goytre United at home in a top of the table clash that will have a very significant impact on who will lift the league trophy. It is a match not to be missed.
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Ryan Morgan; 3.Phil Clarke; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Mike Jones; 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Ryan Shugar (17.Dale Price 77); 9.Andrew Pearson; 10.Alyn Jones (12.Dane Williams 86); 11.Nicky Jones.
Subs not used: 14.Ricard Carter, 15.Scott Jones & 16.Mattie Davies.
Goals: Crutch 36; Hughes 76
Booked: Hughes 88
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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