Motaquote Welsh League Division One
18/10/03: Ely Rangers 0-0 Ton Pentre

ALTHOUGH it was a 0-0 scoreline this match was reasonably exciting. Both teams had chances to score but as the game went on Ely Rangers looked happy to hold out for a point. Ton Pentre put in a good performance but will be disappointed that they failed to find the net having carved out some top chances.

The first 15 minutes saw Ton play some stirring football that had the home side back peddling in an attempt to keep the Rhondda Bulldogs out. When Carl Thomas supplied a through pass to Alyn Jones and Andrew Hughes in an advanced position, they failed to beat Dave Boulton in the Ely goals.

Moments later the game opened up a little more with Ely starting to go forward through midfielder Clarke. The Ely captain struck a shot from 20 yards that beat John Howe but smashed against the cross bar.

When Hughes received the ball and turned well after 28 minutes he was able to thread Jones through. Having taken the ball to the edge of the 5-yard box he provided a nice cross, across the goal. Fortunately for Ely there was no Ton player to slot home.

Jones weaved in and out of the defence four minutes later and played the ball to Hughes who was in an excellent unmarked position just inside the box. His strike went wide of the post.

A few minutes later Ely were awarded a free kick several yards inside their own half. The ball was sent into the Ton box where Pugh was allowed to have a free header. With his agility, quick reaction and flexibility Howe was able to deny the headed chance by stretching to catch the ball.

Five minutes before half time a Ton corner beat the 'keeper. Nathan Prygodzicz jumped and headed goalwards but the defender saw his effort cleared from the line.

Although still entertaining, the second half looked less likely to produce a goal. Ely Rangers began to sit back and defend in order to secure a point. For any Ton Pentre set piece such as a free kick or corner they had every man back to defend.

Ton had two good chances in two minutes. First, after a Ton corner Mike Jones saw his glancing header just pull wide and the second chance from a lovely free kick saw Thomas fail to make contact in a prime position.

The Rhondda Bulldogs will hope to have their scoring boots on for their next League match against Pontardawe at Ynys Park. The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday October 25.

Ton Pentre: Jon Howe; Mike Jones; Ian Shepherd; Neil Davies; Nathan Prygodzicz; Andrew Hughes; Shaun Fackerel (Richard Ryan, 80mins); Dean Morris; Carl Thomas; Alyn Jones; Kerry Harding.

Substitutes not used: Jason Roberts & Lee Tapper.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.