Ton Pentre's quest to reach the Welsh Cup Final for the first time since 1922 was ended by Welsh Premier team Cwmbran Town. The Rhondda Bulldogs were just eight minutes away from booking their place, until their Semi-Final opponents reaped revenge for their departure by Ton Pentre a year previous in the Quarter-Final.

The Welsh League team put up a very commendable performance in what was a game of two halves. In the end, however, Cwmbran deserved their win by pegging Ton back for much of the second half with heavy pressure.

The first ten minutes saw both teams playing disjointed football on a very hard and dusty pitch at Jenner Park in Barry, but this didn't stop Chris Summers from attempting to run through on goal for Cwmbran. Jason Roberts did well to hold the player off and clear from danger.

Ton Pentre then took total control of the match as Carl Thomas fired a cracker towards ex-Ton 'keeper Marty Ellacott in the Cwmbran goals. Ellacott was stranded as the shot hit the crossbar rebounded and hit him on his shoulder to go out for a corner. Ceri Harding sent a lovely ball into the box from the corner. Mike Jones jumped high and scored a wonderful header that whizzed its way into the back of the net leaving Ellacott standing motionless in the 24th minute.

The score was nearly doubled three minutes later when Andrew Hughes looked set to run in on goal only to be tripped on the edge of the box by a Cwmbran defender. Thomas took the free kick and was very unfortunate to swerve it just a little too much sending it painstakingly wide.

With Cwmbran looking very unconvincing in the first half they finally managed to create a chance as Jason Welsh superbly turned Jones in the Ton defence. However, Jones was quick to react and won back possession of the ball with a splendid sliding tackle. Ton Pentre were forced to make a substitution at the half- time interval with Welsh Under 18 International, Alex Lawless, being replaced by Mark Evans.

The Rhondda Bulldogs were expecting a heavy bombardment from the Crows and that was exactly what they got.

Although, Ton did have the chance to increase their lead in the 52nd minute when Evans ran up the left wing only to be taken out by Adam Moore. The referee played advantage as the ball broke free for Harding to run it towards goal. As he was nearing the inner sanctum of the Cwmbran box he was denied a chance to shoot by a Cwmbran defender who cleared for a corner.

The onslaught on the Ton goals then began as Rhodri Jones came close with an effort that just went over John Howe's cross bar.

It looked as though Cwmbran had pulled one back when Moore headed into the back of the net from a Richard Carter throw into the box. The referee spotted an infringement in the goal area however, as Ton escaped as the pressure intensified in the 63rd minute.

The save of the match was pulled off two minutes later by John Howe for the Rhondda team when his one handed save on the line denied Welsh after a long ball was sent forward by Ellacott. Although appearing to be defending too deep the Ton Pentre back line was dealing very well with the non-stop repression. Corner after corner, shot after shot was all being dealt with.

Ton Pentre's final chance to score came when Thomas was fouled right on the line of the Cwmbran box. With Thomas having to receive treatment on the sideline Evans was left to take the free kick after 70 minutes of play. He elected to shoot and came close in what was the moment that could have changed the game.

Cwmbran then replaced Welsh with prolific goal scorer Mattie Davies in an attempt to get the Premier team back into the match. Two minutes later Summers sent a very dangerous cross into the Ton box that clipped the top of the crossbar as Ton soaked up even more pressure.

The inevitable equalizer came for Cwmbran in the 82nd minute when a cross into the box by Richard Hurlin found its way onto the head of Cwmbran captain Moore.

As the game was heading towards extra-time, which would have been a fair event, Cwmbran pounced onto a loose ball in the Ton box with Davies squaring the ball past Howe to ex-Ton striker Summers who slotted home the eventual winner in the 85th minute.

As the final whistle was blown the heartache of the Ton Pentre players and supporters was clearly visible but the day belonged to Cwmbran. Ton have now missed out two years running suffering Semi-Final woe.

It was an excellent performance from the Rhondda team and one the reiterates the fact that Ton can compete at the highest level. Cwmbran Town will now go onto play holders Barry Town in the final after they beat Rhyl 1-0 in the other Semi-Final with a goal from Jon French in the 65th minute at Aberystwyth.

Meanwhile Ton will have to forget about their disappointment to concentrate on the Welsh League Division One encounter with Bettws on Wednesday 9 April at Ynys Park with a 7.30 kick-off. Saturday 12 April will then see Goytre visit Ton Pentre, once again for a league match kicking off at 3.00pm.

Ton Pentre: John Howe; Lee Tapper; Jason Roberts; Ian Davies; Mike Jones; Dean Morris; Neil Davies; Andrew Hughes; Carl Thomas; Alex Lawless (Mark Evans, 45mins); Ceri Harding.

Substitutions not used: Kevin Richards & Nathan Prygodzicz.

Cwmbran Town: Marty Ellacott; Richard Carter; Neil Smothers; Nathan Wigg; Gareth Warton; Rhodri Jones; Chris Summers; Adam Moore; Jason Welsh (Mattie Davies, 72mins); Richard Hurlin (Sean Mainwaring, 88mins).

Substitution not used: Mark Dunn.

Match report by Rob Dowling.