Motaquote Welsh League Division One
03/12/03: Ton Pentre 5 - 1 Gwynfi United

A SECOND HALF goal blitz saw the Rhondda Bulldogs score four goals to complete a 5-1 win against near rivals Gwynfi United from over the Bwlch Mountain.

Ton Pentre limited their visitors to long shots from outside the box for most of the 90 minutes in this Welsh League Division One meeting. Their first came from Gwynfi midfielder Taylor who struck a shot goalwards in the opening few minutes of the half, forcing John Howe into a fine one handed save.

Ton were more creative and carved out various chances before a penalty was awarded with no hesitation from the referee in the 16th minute, when Gwynfi 'keeper Lee Williams brought Andrew Hughes down in the box. After protests from the Gwynfi players who felt the decision was harsh, Carl Thomas stepped up to confidently score from the spot kick.

The Rhondda Bulldogs were certainly the better team in the first half with most Gwynfi attacks resulting in the referee's assistant raising his flag for offside against their strikers. Ton were constantly breaking and getting the better of the Gwynfi defence. Chances fell to Thomas and Richard Ryan but the score remained 1-0 going into the half time interval.

An entertaining movement at the start of the second half eventually saw Ryan supplying a delicate ball across the Gwynfi five-yard box to find Alyn Jones for the second goal of the match.

Following this Gwynfi began to create more clear-cut chances as Ton began to loose their way. A series of corners soon after Ton had scored put the Bulldogs defence under some extreme pressure. The ball was cleared from the line and punched away from goal in the air by Howe on separate occasions. Ton were then able to counter attack with Jones passing to Ryan who was denied any further advancement by Gwynfi defender Evans whose sliding tackle put the ball out of play for a throw in.

From the throw Ton were able to get the ball into the box where Williams denied Ryan the chance to score with a point-blank shot stopping save.

Soon after it appeared that Jason Roberts had scored an own goal in a defensive blunder that saw the Ton defender and 'keeper in a mix up under Gwynfi pressure. As Howe rushed out of his box it looked as though Roberts kicked the ball past his goalie. He attempted to chase but was unable to catch up with the ball.

Ton appeared to be withering away as their visitors looked good for an equaliser. This seemed to spur a change in personnel on the pitch and Ryan was substituted to be replaced by Kerry Harding.

The game was put beyond Gwynfi in the 69th minute when a free kick was awarded after Goodridge chopped down Dean Morris. Harding kicked into the box with the ball being sent into the goal by a Gwynfi player.

Ton were on top once again and their fourth goal was a result of unselfish play by Thomas when he took the ball around the goalkeeper and squared it to Jones whose deflected shot fell into the path of Hughes who made sure it crossed the goal line.

Two more substitutions followed this for Ton with Ian Shepherd and Thomas being replaced by Mark Evans and assistant manager Richard Haig.

Two minutes from time Ton's assistant manager scored when Gwynfi were caught off guard when the Rhondda Bulldogs took a free kick quickly. Haig cheekily chipped the ball into the net after dummying a shot so the 'keeper went to ground to finish off the 5-1 rout.

Ton Pentre: John Howe; Lee Tapper; Neil Davies; Mike Jones; Jason Roberts; Andrew Hughes; Ian Shepherd (Mark Evans, 76mins); Dean Morris; Carl Thomas (Richard Haig, 82mins); Alyn Jones; Richard Ryan (Kerry Harding, 67mins).

Match Report by Robert Dowling.