Motaquote Welsh League Division One
03/01/04: Ton Pentre 2 - 1 Neath

TON PENTRE met Neath for the third time this season and recorded a hat-trick of victories in a tightly fought League encounter at Ynys Park. Ton were without several key players for differing reasons but Alyn Jones popped up twice to secure all three points.

Having already beaten Neath in the League 6-0 and Welsh Cup 4-1, this latest 2-1 win was the closest as Neath fought hard and looked like they were to be a potential banana skin for a Rhondda Bulldogs team that is looking to reclaim the Welsh League title from Bettws.

The threat was evident when Neath took the lead in the 18th minute of the match. From a corner Ben Davies headed the ball towards goal that deflected off John Howe and Lee Tapper into the net.

Six minutes later Tapper was fouled deep inside the opposition's penalty area as a Neath defender went through the Ton winger from behind. The referee's assistant on the near side failed to signal the foul to the referee. However, the man in charge did witness the incident and whistled for the foul. Strangely he awarded a freekick outside the box with his decision raising protest from the home players. Jamie Michaels took the free kick but it was at a comfortable height for the 'keeper to collect.

An equaliser for Ton came on the half-hour mark when Alyn Jones scored from close range past Wyn Walters after the Bulldogs had piled on the pressure. After the ball had been sent into the box Neath were unable to clear from danger giving the Ton striker the chance for the goal.

Jones could have put Ton into the lead by the time the first half was over. Jason Roberts played a fantastic ball over the top for Jones to use his pace to run onto the ball. Walters though stayed on his feet and saved the shot with his foot.

The second half was very tight, as it seemed nothing would nudge the two teams apart. Neither team looked likely to score even when Michales ran the ball down the right wing and crossed into the box, as Adam James produced a well-timed tackle to deny Mark Evans the chance to shoot.

For Ton to take the lead it needed a precision cross and a little luck. It was Michaels who was able to deliver the cross into the box and picked out Jones as his target whose strike gave Ton the win. It needed some fortune though as the ball hit Walters then the post to bounce over the goal line.

This first win of 2004 propels Ton to the top of Division One as they leapfrog UWIC Inter Cardiff after they lost 1-0 to Grange Harlequins. However, all of the main title contenders have games in hand on the Rhondda Bulldogs.

On Saturday January 10 Bridgend visit Ynys Park for a 3pm start, Saturday January 17 Ton are away at Spytty Park to face Llanwern (2.15pm) with January's remaining fixtures bringing Dinas Powys to the Rhondda (24) and a visit for Ton to Llanelli (31).

Ton Pentre: John Howe; Lee Tapper; Neil Davies; Mike Jones; Jason Roberts; Mark Evans; Ian Shepherd; Dean Morris; Jamie Michaels; Alyn Jones; Shaun Fackerel. Substitutes Not Used: Kerry Harding; Richard Haig & Kevin Richards.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.