12/08/03: Pontyclun 0 - 1 Ton Pentre

13/08/03: Pontypridd Town 1 - 4 Ton Pentre

IT was two games in two nights for the Rhondda Bulldogs as the 2003- 2004 season draws ever closer. Both were useful run-outs as Ton Pentre were made to work hard for their results.

The match against Pontyclun saw the Bulldogs in total control of the first half. Alyn Jones had been involved in many of the attacking moments and was the player to finally score when the Pontyclun defence finally collapsed.

Craig Hughes passed the home sides defence with ease, and then by holding the ball up he was able to pass inside to Jones who scored the goal that he deserved.

Ton midfielder Mark Evans was forced to don the goalkeeper's shirt for this match as Richard Johnson was unavailable and John Howe ruled out due to a shoulder injury.

Evans was forced to pull off two fine saves in the second half to deny Pontyclun the equaliser that their second half performance deserved.

Although it was a poor second half performance the Ton defence will be encouraged that they kept a clean sheet even though they had an outfield player in goals.

For the Pontypridd match the following night Ton Pentre made several changes to the starting line up. Most notably, Richard Johnson was available to play in goals.

Midway through the first half Pontypridd took the lead when Ton failed to hold the ball up front. This allowed a counter attack to take place that saw three Ton defenders unable to stop the Ponty striker scoring.

Ton equalised through Tom Billings ten minutes later whose low shot gave the goalkeeper no chance to save.

From this Ton began to find their way as they scored again six minutes from half time. Sharp play saw Jason Roberts switch the ball to Lee Tapper on the right wing. He played the ball up the line to Kerry Harding whose pinpoint ball into the box saw Billings fire home both his and Ton Pentre's second goal.

There were several substitutions for both sides at the halfway mark including Billings making way for Richard Haig.

Haig laid the ball on for Craig Hughes to score in the 58th minute as Ton powered into a 3-1 lead.

The Rhondda Bulldogs fourth goal was the result of Haig receiving a throw in from Tapper on the edge of the Pontypridd box. Haig struck the ball towards the far post. The 'keeper thought it was going wide but saw the net ripple when he turned to look.

Ton Pentre's first league match is away to Bridgend Town in the Motoquote Insurance Welsh League Division One on August 23.

Pontyclun v. Ton Pentre: Mark Evans; Craig Morgan (David Hazell, 66mins); Alyn Jones; Dean Morris; Neil Davies; Kerry Harding; Mike Jones; Shaun Fackrell; Jason Roberts; Tom Billings (Neil Jones, 59mins); John Howells (Lee Tapper, 45mins).

Pontypridd v. Ton Pentre: Richard Johnson; Lee Tapper (Mike Jones, 45mins); Ian Shephard; Craig Morgan (Lee Tapper, 75mins); Lee Michaels; Dean Morris (John Howells, 70mins); Tom Billings (Richard Haig, 45mins); Jason Roberts; Alyn Jones (David Hazell, 58mins); John Howells (Neil Jones, 45mins); Kerry Harding (Tom Billings, 76mins).