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HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 3 - 0 TON PENTRE
FAW Welsh Cup Competition Round Three
Saturday 3rd November 2007
Ton Pentre were unable to provide a Welsh Cup third round shock as Principality Welsh Premier League outfit Haverfordwest County found their way to the back of the Bulldogs net on three occasions.
This was Ton Pentre’s worst performance of the season as they failed to conjure up any good chances in front of goal as Haverfordwest dominated proceedings at New Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Ton Pentre enjoyed early possession in the match but were unable to equate it into goal scoring chances in the final third of the pitch.
With the help of influential midfielder Tom Ramasut, Haverfordwest soon got their foothold on this Welsh Cup tie and following sustained pressure in the Ton half the Bluebirds found the back of the net from a corner kick in the 28th minute.
As the ball was sent into the box by Neil Thomas, Haverfordwest captain Gareth Elliott was able to lose his marker and head the ball down into the goal past Marty Ellacott.
Early in the second half a misplaced pass between defence and midfield allowed Ramasut to gain control of the ball and run at goal. From the edge of the area the player hit a useful shot at goal but Ellacott was equal to it and was able to block it.
However, the home team did not have to wait long for their second goal when Ton were punished from a corner kick once more in the 52nd minute. As the ball was sent into the box Mark Crutch headed it away at the near post but only as far as the edge of the 18-yard box. From here Phil Cattlin crossed back into the box where Jack Christopher slipped the defence to apply the finish to make it 2-0.
With just under an hour played Ton Pentre defender Mike Jones picked up a leg injury, however, by this time the Rhondda Bulldogs had already made all three substitutions, so Jones was pushed up field as he attempted to continue playing in obvious discomfort.
Christopher came close to bagging a brace for Haverfordwest in the 62nd minute when he headed Cattlin’s cross onto the right hand goalpost.
Five minutes later Kristian Orchard broke through up front but was forced to run wide on the right. Goalkeeper Lee Idzi narrowed the angle which forced Orchard to look for back-up. He passed the ball to injured Jones who was in support but he was unable to get enough power into his side footed shot and Elliott was able to clear off the line.
In the 73rd minute Ton conceded for a third time when Cattlin was allowed to cross into the box yet again. The ball reached Nicky Woodrow who was left unmarked on the far side of the penalty area and the player volleyed the ball past a helpless Ellacott in the Ton goals.
It could have been worse for Ton if it were not for Ellacott’s super save three minutes later as Thomas struck a 20 yard shot that the Ton keeper had to dive for and beat away.
Ten minutes from full time the Rhondda Bulldogs were forced to complete the match with 10 men as Mike Jones was unable to stay on the pitch due to his injury. His bravery was acknowledged by the Ton Pentre supporters as he left the pitch.
Following the match Ton Pentre Assistant Manager Mark Evans said: “Haverfordwest were well organised and Tom Ramasut dictated the tempo of the game. It was a good test for us but I feel as though we could have put a better show on”.
Haverfordwest County will now face Rhyl at home in the fourth round of the Welsh Cup as Ton Pentre are left to concentrate on their Welsh League title challenge.
Ton Pentre’s next match is on Wednesday 14th November when Caerleon travel to Ynys Park for a Division One fixture that kicks off at 7.15pm.
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott (Captain); 2.Richard Carter (12.Ryan Morgan, 45); 3.Nicky Jones; 4.Mike Jones; 5.Scott Hayward; 6.Mark Crutch; 7.Lee Matthews (14.Dale Price, 54); 8.Andrew Hughes; 9.Alyn Jones; 10.Paul Michaels (15.Kristian Orchard, 54); 11.Dane Williams.
Subs not used: None.
Goals: None.
Booked: Matthews 22, Morgan 56 & Hughes 66.
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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