13/09/03: Garw 0 - 2 Ton Pentre

AFTER their trip to Blandy Park, Ton Pentre continue their unbeaten run. Their fifth consecutive win was the result of two second half goals against Garw.

Returning to the Rhondda Bulldogs was Jamie Michaels, and when he received a pass from Alyn Jones, he was able to attack the Garw goal but was unfortunate to watch his shot go wide of goalie Mark Elliot.

Ton came close again after 13 minutes. Craig Morgan was fouled within a yard of the Garw box. Kerry Harding crossed the ball in from the freekick. A Garw defender got his head to the ball but sent it backwards. Carl Thomas was then able to header goalwards but saw the effort cleared from the line.

Good defending from Garw denied Ton to take advantage of a lovely movement between trio Andrew Hughes, Harding and Jones. The triangular movement was unable to breach Garw's last line of defence but showed that neat football would be Garw's downfall.

In the 39th minute Garw striker, Gareth Hughes broke free after a failed call for offside by the Ton defence. Hughes forced Jon Howe into a fine save to deny Garw the lead minutes before half time.

The Rhondda Bulldogs couldn't have asked for a better start to the second half. After winning a corner in the 49th minute Garw were caught out. As Harding slung the ball into Thomas, who scored with a thumping strike, the Garw defence stood motionless.

Garw's performance rate then dropped as Ton got the better of their defence once again. Michaels latched onto a ball over the top of the Garw defence, who made no effort to chase the ball. He ran clear through and forced Elliot into a great save but Lee Tapper, who replaced Morgan three minutes into the second half, lobbed the keeper with a well connected header from the rebound.

Fifteen minutes from time Ton were denied the chance to make the score three nil after a definite handball on the Garw goal line.

When Howe had booted the ball forward Thomas brought it down turned and played it forward for Jones to run onto. He ran towards the five-yard box then crossed for Hughes. Hughes struck a stern shot with his head leaving the keeper with no chance. However, a Garw defender caught the ball with his hands then booted clear. To Ton's dismay the referee denied the incident worthy enough of a penalty. Jones was then booked for his protest to the referee moments later.

Nevertheless, the game finished 2-0 to the Bulldogs who are sponsored by Guswindows. With most of the Welsh League teams in Welsh Cup First Round action, the only other game to be played was between Maesteg and last seasons champions Bettws. The winner of that match was Ton's opponents at Ynys Park on Wednesday 17 September (7.30pm) Maesteg Park by 2-1.

Ton Pentre: Jon Howe; Mike Jones; Jason Roberts; Neil Davies; Mark Evans; Andrew Hughes (Tom Billings, 83mins); Craig Morgan (Lee Tapper, 48mins); Jamie Michaels (Shaun Fackerel, 72mins); Carl Thomas; Alyn Jones; Kerry Harding.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.