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TON PENTRE 0 - 1 GOYTRE UNITED
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Saturday 5th April 2008
Ton Pentre’s hopes of regaining the Welsh Football League Division One title is now out of their hands as Goytre United beat the Bulldogs by one goal to nil after they had been reduced to eight men with Richard Stevens, Andrew Hughes and Andrew Pearson all seeing red.
Following a match that they never really looked like losing, Ton Pentre felt harshly treated and were left licking their wounds as their good disciplinary record for the season was tarnished by the sending off’s and the dismissal of manager Kevin Richards.
In the first half both teams cancelled each other out. The best chance of the half probably fell to Goytre United in the first five minutes of play when from a quick free kick Marty Ellacott was swift to leap across his goal to punch the ball away for a terrific save.
Ton Pentre began the second half in excellent form. Within the first minute Jonathan Kift successfully fought for possession with a Goytre United defender and squared the ball across the penalty area.
Andrew Pearson had the first strike on target but his shot was saved by Chris Curtis in goals. However, the ball broke free in the box and was followed up by Dale Price whose strike crashed into the post when it looked likely to hit the back of the net.
Moments later Price sent the ball into the box from a corner kick. His first attempt was cleared by the defence but only back to the Ton midfield player. When he sent the ball back into the box Mike Jones was able to connect with a strong shot. The ball clipped the crossbar much to Ton’s disappointment.
It all started to go wrong in the 63rd minute when Richard Stevens went into what appeared to be a 50/50 challenge in front of the home dugout. Referee Darren Aidie judged that the Ton defender had committed a foul and was quick to grasp the yellow card from his shirt pocket. Having rapidly flashed the card he consulted his notebook and realised that the player had been cautioned in the first half. As a result he mistakenly produced the yellow card for a third time before showing the red card.
The decision was disputed by the Ton manager who as a result of his protests was sent from dugout.
Four minutes later Goytre’s Richard Ryan saw his well hit strike from inside the box scooped away by a spectacular Ellacott save as Ton’s ten men fought hard to stop their visitors gaining advantage.
Goytre had another good chance on 78 minutes when a player was allowed to run clear after Ton’s Mike Jones appeared to have been fouled. With the referee waving play on, Andrew Hughes made a goal saving sliding tackle on the edge of the box to stop Goytre.
With the Bulldogs a man down they still appeared to be a match for their visitors who didn’t appear to have quite enough to break Ton down.
However, the game was turned on its head and this showcase Welsh Football League Division One match turned into a farce following the award of a questionable free kick on the edge of the Ton Pentre box.
Following a dispute over the retreat of Ton’s defending wall, Hughes was cautioned for a second time and sent from the field and was quickly followed by Pearson who appeared to pick up his second caution for his encroachment on the free kick.
Once the kick was finally taken Ton managed to survive the scare but it was always going to be a difficult task to carry on playing with eight men.
Goytre made the advantage count five minutes before time when they took advantage of all the space as Richard Ryan squared the ball to a team mate who was able to easily finish past Ellacott.
Despite losing and other results in the league going their way, Ton Pentre remain top of the league with Goytre three points behind them with three games in hand.
Ton Pentre now go into their Rhondda derby match away at Cambrian and Clydach Vale without the three players sent off in this game. However, they will hope that their squad is strong enough to cope and will still look forward to the game which kicks off at 2.30pm.
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Richard Stevens; 3.Scott Hayward; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Mike Jones (12.Mattie Davies 89); 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Lee Matthews (15.Ryan Shugar 45+2); 8.Nicky Jones; 9.Andrew Pearson;10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Dale Price.
Subs not used: 14.Alyn Jones; Phil Clarke & Dane Williams.
Goals: None
Booked: Stevens 21; M.Jones 41; Pearson 62; Hughes 66; Crutch 80; Ellacott 80
Sent Off: Stevens 63; Hughes 82; Pearson 82
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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