The Rhondda Bulldogs of Ton Pentre finally found their second win of the 2002/2003 season with their 3-1 defeat of Garden Village at Ynys Park. This could very well be the kick-start that Ton need to catch up with the leading pack in the Welsh League Division One.

Ton started the game in a radiant manner when Craig Thomas played a charming pass wide to Lee Tapper, who in turn cut inside to enable him a clear run into the box. Paul Parker had made his way to the front post waiting for a pass but thoughtfully evaded the shot from Tapper, who's powerful effort was parried wide for a Ton corner by Carl Howells in the Garden Village goals. The resulting corner was sent in by Ceri Harding and Jason Roberts pounced and headed the ball into the back of the Garden Village net making it 1-0 to the Rhondda Bulldogs after seven minutes.

In the 21st minute a mistake in midfield by Garden Village saw Neil Davies control the ball for Ton and sent it out wide to Harding running up the wing. Harding passed inside to club captain Andrew Hughes who tapped the ball over his head to swivel and loose his marker, he then passed back to Harding who's cross was unfortunate not to reach the Ton forwards in the visitors box but splendid play none the less.

Two minutes later, with Ton full of confidence, Hughes found himself in a mouth watering position when he beat the defence to provide himself with a goal scoring chance. However, instead of chipping the ball over the progressing keeper Hughes attempted to pass to Carl Thomas by his side but by then a Garden Village defender had caught up with play.

After 26 minutes of the first half Hughes was unlucky once again when his headed goal was disallowed with the referee's assistant ruling him offside. Carl Thomas had started the movement after he had passed to Parker whose shot rebounded off Howells in goals into the path of the Ton captain.

On the 45 minute mark Craig Thomas was once again on hand to slide a lovely pass through into space for Tapper to run onto, he crossed low and hard into Parker but the player was unable to capitalise after a hard challenge from a visiting defender.

Garden Village had the first chance of the second half when Scott Evans hit a swerving shot at John Howe in the Ton goals. The 'keeper got behind the ball and saved well. In reply Ton quickly counter attacked with Neil Davies unfortunate to see his shot not dip enough to trouble the Garden Village 'keeper.

Craig Thomas, having his best game of the season to date, was once again involved in an attacking drive, in the 54th minute, when he used his strength to head a pass to put Parker through on goal. The forward then tried to pass the ball to Carl Thomas but failed to connect. In this case the player should have been greedier.

Neil Davies showed great vision when he played Harding through to run onto goal three minutes later. Hardings shot though was well saved by the 'keeper. Soon after Davies was substituted for Alex Lawless after the player had picked up a leg injury.

The Rhondda Bulldogs sponsored by Futureglaze Windows were playing themselves on top in this game and another goal was imminent and it came in the 69th minute. Carl Thomas finally made it 2-0 when he headed home after Parker and Harding linked out wide for the midfielder to send in a high quality cross.

Five minutes later Parker was replaced by Darren George, a newcomer to the Ynys Park outfit. And the player got straight into it when he linked with Tapper to force a corner. Carl Thomas put strength behind his headed exertion when the ball was played into the box and made it 3-0.

Another debut was given to Lee Skyrme who replaced Hughes in midfield. Ton played out the game with dominance even though Garden Village scored a consolation goal two minutes from time.

The three points, which Ton took from Garden Village, were well overdue. Ton travel to Ely Rangers on Saturday October 5th. The next home match is Wednesday 9th October when Dai Withers' Maesteg Park travel to the Rhondda for the Welsh League Division One encounter.

Ton Pentre: Howe; Tapper; Roberts; Jones; Prygodzicz; Hughes (Skyrme, 81mins); Davies (Lawless, 60mins); Craig Thomas; Carl Thomas; Parker (George, 74mins).