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TON PENTRE 2 - 1 PONTYPRIDD TOWN
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Saturday 23rd February 2008
Marty Ellacott’s 82nd minute wonder save secured all three points for Ton Pentre as he denied Pontypridd Town what looked like a certain goal to equalise that would have upset the Rhondda Bulldogs title challenge.
This was a poor display by Ton when compared to their usual high standards, however, the Rhondda Bulldogs grinded out a result against a resolute Pontypridd Town.
With Goytre United losing 1-0 at Ento Aberaman and Dinas Powys going down 2-1 at Bryntirion Athletic, Ellacott’s save and this win could prove to be very important as Ton Pentre close the gap at the top of the table. The Bulldogs are now a point behind Goytre with a game in hand.
Despite Pontypridd lying second from bottom in Division One this was never going to be an easy encounter for Ton as Ponty looked to revenge their 8-2 defeat from earlier in the season.
Ton Pentre always looked the better team but their final ball in attack frustrated both the Bulldogs bench and the home fans as fluid build up play failed to result in goalmouth chances.
It looked as though the deadlock was going to be broken on 25 minutes when Andrew Pearson had a clear run at goal only to be denied by Ponty goalkeeper Chris Golton, who snatched the ball from the feet of the Ton striker.
With just over half an hour played Pontypridd’s offside trap failed and Pearson again found himself running unchallenged towards goal. On this occasion he managed to dribble the ball around Golton to give Ton Pentre a 1-0 lead that they took into the half time interval.
Jonathan Kift nearly increased Ton Pentre’s lead early in the second half when Ryan Shugar’s cross from the right beat the Ponty defence. Kift brought the ball down and painstakingly struck it over the crossbar.
In the 57th minute Scott Hayward crossed into the box to Andrew Hughes. The Ton Captain unleashed a shot that’s power was beaten out by the Ponty goalkeeper. Nevertheless, the ball still crept towards goal and Pearson was on hand to make sure that it got over the goal line to notch up his brace.
The two goal lead didn’t last long as slack defending on the hour allowed Rasul Abdul a chance to shoot from just inside the 18-yard box. He beat Ellacott low to Ton keeper’s left.
Ton were not looking convincing as Ponty grew in confidence as they looked to upset the Bulldogs on their home patch by finding an equaliser.
Moments after Kift had a goal ruled out for being offside, Pontypridd had an excellent chance to draw level when one of their attackers easily bypassed Mark Crutch in the Ton defence to supply a cross into the centre of the box. The ball was struck at goal from several yards out and it looked destined for the net but Marty Ellacott produced a top class save that without a doubt secured all 3 points for Ton Pentre.
The next match for the Rhondda Bulldogs, sponsored by Gus Properties Ltd, is the much anticipated Rhondda derby with Cambrian & Clydach Vale at Ynys Park on Wednesday 27th February at 7.15pm. It is advised that spectators for this match arrive at Ynys Park as early as possible as a large crowd is expected.
Following that on Saturday 1st March Ton are away to Taffs Well and the kick off time for this match is 2.30pm.
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Scott Hayward; 3.Alyn Jones; 4.Ryan Morgan (12.Dane Williams, 58); 5.Mike Jones (17.Richard Stevens, 83); 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Ryan Shugar (15.Scott Jones, 86); 9.Andrew Pearson; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Mark Crutch.
Subs not used: 14.Nicky Jones & 16.Mattie Davies.
Goals: Pearson 31 & 57.
Booked: None.
Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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