Fresh tactics helped Ton Pentre to a win in the third round of the League Cup after their dismal end to January.

Ton were in total control for the first 20 minutes of the match, in which time they took a 1-0 lead. After good play up the left wing by Mark Evans, Ton won a freekick when the player was sandwiched between two Garw defenders. Ceri Harding's kick was curled into the box and went straight in without any Garw attempt to clear it.

Garw's first chance of the first half came five minutes before half-time, after Andrew Hughes had conceded a freekick 25 yards outside the Ton box. From the kick Derek James came close for the home team as his effort smashed against the crossbar and dropped onto the goal line. It took an eternity until Ton cleared the ball from danger.

James had another opportunity to level when he ran through on goal, and was possibly offside, but nevertheless was denied by an excellent save from John Howe who stood strong to block the strikers shot.

The Rhondda Bulldogs nearly scored directly from the second half kick off when Harding played the ball into Jamie Michaels into the Garw box. Michaels then passed onto Carl Thomas but his mighty strike was saved well when Mark Elliote dived low to his left. Moment's later Evans missed a tackle in defence that allowed Richard Llewelyn through on goal. Howe was once again called into action and denied the Garw midfielder with another fine save that gave the player no time to shoot.

Over a period of 15 minutes in the second half Ton missed several opportunities to put the game beyond Garw. It was Hughes who had the most extravagant of chances when he spotted Elliote off his line and attempted to lob him from out on the right. The ball looked useful but it went over the bar.

Ton eventually got a second in the 78th minute when a Ton attack led to a corner. Harding took it and Thomas's first attempt was with his head that hit the post. The ball fell back at his feet and he did not hesitate to make sure that he scored the second chance with a powerful strike.

It should have been three goals to Ton when Hughes came very close in the third minute of injury time. Evans played the ball to Alex Lawless who headed on for Thomas, who continued the movement by spreading the play to Hughes. His run through on goal saw a wonderful effort that hit the underneath of the cross bar.

Welsh Premier side Flexys Cefn Druids are Ton Pentre's next opponents as the cup action continues on Saturday 8 February at Ynys Park. This Welsh Cup match kick's off at 2.30pm.

Ton Pentre: John Howe; Lee Tapper; Jason Roberts; Mike Jones; Alex Lawless; Andrew Hughes; Mark Evans; Neil Davies; Carl Thomas; Jamie Michaels (Tom Billings, 74mins); Ceri Harding. Subs not used: Kevin Richards & Richard Johnson.

Match report by Rob Dowling.