Welsh Challenge Cup Round Four
14/02/04: Pontardawe 0 - 6 Ton Pentre

A DOMINANT Ton Pentre overpowered Pontardawe Town with the Rhondda Bulldogs captain, Andrew Hughes, bagging a hat-trick.

Within the first ten minutes Carl Thomas saw his shot from about 10 yards out saved by Pontardawe goalkeeper Craig Mansell, palming it away for a corner. Mike Jones ran into the box to connect with the ball but Mansell tipped the headed effort over the bar. From the second corner Dean Morris headed in Ton's first goal from point blank range due to the poor marking of the home teams defence.

Ton were thinking much quicker than their opponents were and it showed when Shaun Fackerel set off on a weaving run in and out of the Pontardawe defence. When he got himself into the box he found three Ton players waiting for a cross. Hughes was presented with a free shot on goal and doubled Ton's lead with the ball going in off the post.

On the half-hour mark Hughes scored his second of the game when he finished off a fine Ton move. When Ian Shepherd won a tackle the ball broke to the Ton captain. Then by playing the ball into Shepherd's path it allowed him to get down the wing. After taking on two defenders, using the outside of his boot he passed back to Hughes who fired in the third goal.

At half time Ton replaced Thomas with Kristian Orchard for a straight swap up front.

Ton continued their goal scoring in the second half but equally missed as many chances that they put away.

When Morris got a cross in from the right Orchard was poised to whip his boot at the ball. He made a connection with it but Mansell got behind the ball and held it firm.

Mansell was unable to deny another chance moments later when Kerry Harding sent a ball over the top of the back line. Hughes had stayed onside with his run and chipped the 'keeper for his third goal of the game and his twelfth of the season.

Morris could have scored his second of the game as the hour mark approached when he scuffed a golden opportunity when he found himself on his own with just the goalie to beat. He fired straight at Mansell with the ball going out for a corner. This provided Mike Jones with the chance to score and he did so when he bolted the ball over the line with his head.

In the 71st minute Mike Jones and Fackerel were substituted with Lee Michaels and Jason Roberts taking to the field.

As full time approached Ton notched up their sixth goal when Alyn Jones broke away to neatly pass to Harding. He finished off Pontardawe's nightmare, as they remain glued to the bottom Division One.

Ton Pentre's next two fixtures are at Ynys Park with Caerleon the opponents on Tuesday February 17 (7.30pm) and Ely Rangers visiting on Saturday February 21 (3pm).

Ton Pentre: Jon Howe; Ian Shepherd; Neil Davies; Mike Jones (Lee Michaels, 71mins); Nathan Prygodzicz; Andrew Hughes; Shaun Fackerel (Jason Roberts, 71mins); Dean Morris; Carl Thomas (Kristian Orchard, 45mins); Alyn Jones; Kerry Harding.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.