17/09/03: Ton Pentre 5 - 0 Maesteg Park

TON PENTRE achieved this fantastic win without having to be at their best to put themselves four points clear at the top of the division during the midweek. Both Alyn Jones and Carl Thomas scored a brace each in a game that started well for Ton after only two minutes.

Andrew Birch fouled just outside the Maesteg area conceding a freekick. Carl Thomas stepped up to take it and sumptuously struck the ball into the top right hand corner of Leon Cosker's goal.

Andrew Hughes could have scored a second for the Rhondda Bulldogs after Alyn Jones ran into the Maesteg defence and threaded a ball through for the Ton captain. From Hughes' effort Cosker managed to tip around the post.

The visitors had several corners over the following ten minutes from which they could have equalised but were unable to do so.

Alyn Jones then used his pace in the 32nd minute to run through on goal. Paul Evans attempted to trip the player but Jones rode the foul and scored Ton's second goal, having left the defence for dust.

The Rhondda Bulldogs were then forced to replace Jason Roberts after the defender signalled to the bench to be brought off having picked up an injury. Lee Tapper replaced him and took up a position on the right wing with Dean Morris dropping back into central defence. Here Morris completed the game putting in an excellent performance.

After the break a failed clearance header by Evans in the 58th minute fortunately fell into Alyn Jones's path, the player remained unfazed and gave Ton a 3-0 lead.

Ton then suffered another defensive blow as Neil Davies was forced to take no further part in the game after he went into a hard challenge. He stayed down for a couple of minutes then tried to carry on but was unable to. He limped off the pitch to be replaced by Craig Morgan.

Then came the goal of the game. In the 68th minute the ball was launched forward from the Ton defence. Thomas showed a high level of composure and then struck a 25-yard volley that dipped over Cosker and into the net.

A minute later Morgan ran with the ball to the edge of the box and watched his well hit shot beat the keeper but not the crossbar. He didn't have to wait long until he did score though.

Hughes saw Morgan begin his run and played the ball in front of him. Morgan then beat Jason Cowan holding him off with body strength. Morgan then scored a cracker from the tightest of angles to finish the scoring at 5-0.

For the last fifteen minutes defender Mike Jones was replaced by Richard Haig after carrying an injury from the first half.

Kevin Richards may face some selection problems for Ton's visit to Dinas Powys on Saturday September 20 with three key defenders picking up injuries. Hopefully the team, sponsored by Gus Windows, will be back to full strength for the home match against Llanelli on September 27 at Ynys Park (3pm).

Ton Pentre have been drawn away to Grange Harlequins in the Welsh Cup Round Two. This game will be played on October 4.

Ton Pentre: Jon Howe; Mike Jones (Richard Haig, 73mins); Jason Roberts (Lee Tapper, 34mins); Neil Davies (Craig Morgan, 62mins); Mark Evans; Andrew Hughes; Shaun Fackerel; Dean Morris; Carl Thomas; Alyn Jones; Kerry Harding.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.