Welsh Challenge Cup Round Two
10/10/03: Ton Pentre 2 - 0 SWansea University

DUE to Wales's final Euro 2004 Qualifying group match on the Saturday against Serbia & Montenegro there was no Welsh League programme. Therefore, the Rhondda Bulldogs sponsored by Gus Windows opted to play a friendly match on the Friday evening so that it wasn't two weeks before their next match.

Swansea University travelled to Ynys Park and proved to be a stern test for Ton Pentre. They could have taken the lead during the 22nd minute when their striker wriggled his way through the Ton defence committing Richard Johnson into a failed attempt to save the ball. The player took too long to shoot allowing Ton to clear.

The Bulldogs then started to play football and expectedly took the lead on the half-hour mark. Dean Morris played a superb ball cross pitch to Tom Billings, who had pulled out wide on the left of the Swansea University goal area. After sending a sweet cross into the box a diving headed attempt from Kerry Harding was saved but spilled. Harding provided a pass to Andrew Hughes who easily tapped the ball across the goal line.

Ton made several half-time substitutes that included Ian Shepherd being replaced by Craig Morgan and Richard Haig in place of Mike Jones with Billings dropping back into defence.

It was a more disjointed second half for Ton that was the result of so many half-time changes.

Moments after Swansea University hit the goal post and looking likely to get back into the game; Ton then attacked and scored at the other end.

Haig played a fantastic ball out to Morgan on the wing whose stunning cross into the box had no need for a connection by a Ton player, as it was hit into the goal by a Swansea University defender after 69 minutes.

Saturday October 18 Ton travel to Ely Rangers in the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League Division One. Kick off is 3pm.

The Rhondda Bulldogs have been drawn against Neath in the Third Round of the Welsh Cup. The match will take place at Ynys Park on November 8.

Ton Pentre: Richard Johnson; Mark Evans (Nathan Prygodzicz, 45mins); Ian Shepherd (Craig Morgan, 45mins); Lee Michaels; Mike Jones (Richard Haig, 45mins); Andrew Hughes (Lee Tapper, 45mins); Shaun Fackerel (Kevin Richards, 64mins); Dean Morris; Carl Thomas; Tom Billings; Kerry Harding.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.