Motaquote Welsh League Division One
10/01/04: Ton Pentre 3 - 3 Bridgend Town

BRIDGEND TOWN must receive all the accolades for this match as they fought back to earn a draw after finding themselves 3-0 down within half an hour. A nauseating second half performance from Ton Pentre saw their lead slip away with the games result sure to delight their Division One championship rivals.

The Rhondda Bulldogs first half performance was passable but not convincing with the visitors creating the first chance from Martin Phillips' strongly hit freekick. In slippery conditions John Howe did well to save but was unable to hold onto the ball. His follow up save saw him beat down a shot at point blank range as Bridgend rued their miss chance.

When Ton worked the ball up the wing through a series of throw-ins, a quick ball from Mark Evans to Lee Tapper saw the player hit the ball forward where Jamie Michaels gained possession. He struck an awkward shot that clipped the post and went in for the home side to take a 1-0 lead.

The lead could have been doubled moments later when Evans was brought down in the box and a penalty awarded by the referee. Michaels stepped up to double his tally but his kick hit the right post.

After Ben Bannon crossed into the box after a good Bridgend attack, Howe was once again forced into a save in his 5-yard box when Steve Hughes should have levelled the scores.

Ton then looked as though they had put the game beyond Bridgend as they scored twice within five minutes.

Michaels scored his second past goalie Ross Hooper-Nash when Alyn Jones turned sweetly to loose his marker and play the ball through for Ton's utility player.

The third goal was scored from 30 yards out and blazed into the back of the net from the boot of Shaun Fackerel and was the result of good play in wet and slippery conditions.

A glimmer of hope was established for Bridgend ten minutes later after Dean Morris, a few yards outside the Ton penalty area, gave a freekick away. Daniel Jones smashed the ball past Howe for a half time scoreline that read 3-1.

At the interval Kerry Harding replaced Ian Shepherd but the change was unable to stop Bridgend clawing more ground back on the Bulldogs.

Phillips launched a 25-yard shot within six minutes of the second half when he saw Howe off his line and provided his team with a real chance of a comeback.

Ton made two further substitutions with Lee Tapper and Mark Evans making way for Andrew Hughes and Carl Thomas.

These players were involved in a movement that could have seen Ton put a little breathing space between Bridgend and themselves when Hughes, Thomas and Jones were denied a goal as each shot one after another. Each time, however, the post, 'keeper or a defender got in the way.

The equalising goal came ten minutes from time when the Ton defence failed to stop a Bridgend player from leaking through. The strike from just inside the Ton penalty area provided a remarkable show of character from the visitors to get something from the match.

The next game for Ton in the league will put them up against Llanwern at Spytty Park in Newport with a 2.15pm kick off. The last time these teams met Ton were 4-0 winners back on August 30 2003.

Ton Pentre: John Howe; Lee Tapper (Andrew Hughes, 54mins); Neil Davies; Mike Jones; Jason Roberts; Mark Evans (Carl Thomas, 54mins); Ian Shepherd (Kerry Harding, 45mins); Dean Morris; Jamie Michaels; Alyn Jones; Shaun Fackerel.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.