Motaquote Welsh League Division One
21/02/04: Ton Pentre 1 - 0 Ely Rangers

ELY RANGERS provided Ton Pentre with a tough test as the Rhondda Bulldogs edged to a victory courtesy of a goal from Carl Thomas in the second half. With Llanelli dropping three points at UWIC Inter Cardiff after losing 2-1, Ton will still feel they have a chance of regaining the Welsh League title.

Ton may sense that they could have won this match against Ely Rangers with a more comfortable goal margin as they created many chances to score. When Nathan Prygodzicz won a header from Ely's Gavin Skyrme's goal kick, Carl Thomas was able to head the ball on once more to put Alyn Jones in on goal. To Skyrme's relief the striker blazed his shot over the bar.

Skyrme was being kept busy as he denied both Ian Shepherd and Andrew Hughes chances to score. Shepherd saw his shot from a tight angle within the box forced out for a corner, while Hughes hit low but the goalkeeper was positioned well to save.

It took Ely 40 minutes until they chalked up their first attempt on goal when Paul Dawes completed a neat pass to Michael Vanes in the heart of midfield. Vanes ran in on goal with his shot forcing Marty Ellacott to tip the ball over his crossbar.

During the 56th minute Alyn Jones took an opportunity to play the ball to Hughes for the midfielder to complete a great move by playing Thomas in on goal. The excellent link up play by the Ton players was rewarded with a goal when Thomas simply slotted the ball past Skyrme.

Ely missed a chance to equalise eight minutes later when the referee's assistant failed to flag Richard Yard offside as he ran through the defence and in on goal. Neil Davies made a tremendous recovery tackle to put the ball out for a corner. Graham Cummings then saw his corner nearly converted into a goal but for a spectacular tip over the bar from Ellacott.

In the 90th minute Ely won another corner as Ton were taking a more cautious approach to the game to hold onto their goal. Ellacott was called upon in succession with first a good strong punch and then a sturdy stance to hold onto an Ely players shot.

With the game in injury time Ton kept possession of the ball in the corner of Ely's half of the pitch with Dean Morris until the referee blew the full time whistle to confirm the Rhondda Bulldogs 1-0 win.

Ton face Caerleon away on Saturday February 28 at 2.15pm with their next home match on Saturday March 6.

Meanwhile, the re-arranged match at Llanelli on March 3 has been moved to Wednesday March 31.

Ton Pentre: Marty Ellacott; Lee Tapper; Neil Davies; Mike Jones (Jason Roberts, 45mins); Nathan Prygodzicz; Andrew Hughes (Lee Michaels, 82mins); Kerry Harding; Dean Morris; Carl Thomas (Kristian Orchard, 90mins); Alyn Jones; Ian Shepherd.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.