This match had both goals and incidents that created an exciting aura, resulting in Ton Pentre picking up all three points. Although the Rhondda Bulldogs won with a substantial score line in the end, Goytre United made sure they went down fighting.

Mark Evans provided Lee Tapper with the ball for Ton Pentre's first attempt on goal. Evans did well to retain possession of the ball after challenges from the home teams defence. His shot took a deflection that landed at Tapper's feet. His cross into the box from the far right clipped the top of the cross bar and skimmed across it and out for a Goytre goal kick.

Ton Pentre were in full flow after 15 minutes of play when a stunning run from Jamie Michaels, that started from the halfway line, resulted in him scoring a wonderful solo effort. After Dean Morris had released him with his precision pass, Michaels bypassed all in his way. It was a contender for goal of the season.

The Rhondda Bulldogs could have taught Liverpool a thing or two with their effort of pass and move. Evans, Morris and Ceri Harding all linked up to assist Michaels header on goal that came close to increasing Ton Pentre's lead.

Several minutes later the ball broke free for Carl Thomas who got himself into the Goytre box and then passed a simple ball to Michaels who missed at point blank range by hitting the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

Goytre came close to scoring 10 minutes from half-time when an attack foxed the Ton Pentre defence but Richard Johnson, deputising for John Howe who was ruled out of the team with a virus, was more than ready for the shot and dealt with it comfortably.

Ton Pentre started the second half in a less than convincing fashion with Goytre having several chances to equalise. However, the Rhondda team quashed this pressure with a second goal.

The Bulldogs won a free kick after a foul on Evans on the near side. Jason Roberts sent in free kick into the Goytre box with Carl Thomas tapping into the back of the net after going unchallenged.

Moments later Andrew Hughes tucked the ball in at his feet and created room for him to shoot. The goalkeeper saved with his legs and the ball went out for a corner.

In the 74th minute controversy struck when the assistant referee put his flag up to rule Michaels offside. However, the referee indicated to his assistant on the line to put his flag down and waved his hands to signal for the play to continue. Michaels, who played the whistle, had a free run on goal and inevitably scored his second of the match and Ton Pentre's third. Then there was the volcano effect, which erupted when Dai Rees, the Goytre manager, protested and got himself sent off for his conduct. The referee ruled out the offside given by his assistant because it was a Goytre player that had accidentally played the ball to Michaels, which therefore did not make him offside.

Ton Pentre then made several substitutions before their fourth goal came about with Craig Thomas, Nathan Prygodzicz and Tom Billings replacing Hughes, Neil Davies and Carl Thomas.

Goytre scored a consolation goal in the 83rd minute after the Ton Pentre defence lost their way. It was a soft goal to concede.

Billings, the Rhondda Bulldogs new signing, got himself on the score sheet in what was an impressive display in the time he had on the pitch. It was another brilliant run from Michaels into the box that provided the goal after he squared the ball for Billings to make it 4-1 to Ton Pentre.

Overall this was an excellent Ton Pentre performance and a vital three points which are desperately needed if the Futureglaze Windows sponsored team want to win the Welsh League, especially with all of their main rivals winning last Saturday.

Ton Pentre face Caerleon this Saturday (14 December) with a 3.00pm kick-off at Ynys Park. Please remember that Ton Pentre's AiGN sponsored website can be found at tonpentreafc.com.

Ton Pentre: Johnson; Tapper; Neil Davies (Prygodzicz, 78mins); Roberts; Ian Davies; Hughes (Craig Thomas, 75mins); Evans; Morris; Carl Thomas (Billings, 78mins); Michaels; Harding.

Match report by Rob Dowling.