Motaquote Welsh League Division One
06/03/04: Ton Pentre 3 - 1 Briton Ferry

WITH just five minutes of the match remaining it looked as though Ton Pentre and Briton Ferry were going to share the spoils at Ynys Park. The Rhondda Bulldogs needed a win to keep them top of the table. Dean Morris and Andrew Hughes provided the goals for Ton to achieve the victory to stay ahead of Grange Quins and Llanelli.

The visitors, however, could have been two goals up within the first 15 minutes when Daniel Thomas crossed into the box from the left to see Leighton Thomas direct his shot over Marty Ellacott's bar.

Ellacott was being kept busy as moments later Leighton Thomas was presented with another chance that looked harder to miss than score, as Ellacott went to ground the ball bounced into his arms off his legs.

Ton created little in the first half as they battled against a deceptively strong wind. They could have conceded yet again on the half hour mark when Daniel Thomas superbly took an awkward ball into his stride but was unable to beat the superb goalkeeping skills of Ellacott.

Perhaps aided by the wind, Ton came out in the second half with a bit more fighting spirit. When Chris Curtis hit a poor goal kick Andrew Hughes capitalised heading the ball on for Ton to win a corner. Curtis was lucky not to concede as a Ferry defender headed off the line.

• Ton on the attack versus Briton Ferry

Ton continued to apply pressure and as Neil Davies launched the ball forward from defence Shaun Fackeral set off on a run. As the Ferry defence stepped up Fackerel was free and onside to chip the goalkeeper to put Ton 1-0 up.

Carl Thomas and Ian Shepherd made way for Tom Billings and Lee Tapper in the 54th minute, moments before Ellacott was forced into a wonder save when Daniel Thomas attempted to place the ball into the net over the 'keeper.

Briton Ferry did manage to pull a goal back after a defensive mistake allowed them in on goal. Ellacott still managed to pull off a great save from Thomas but Lee Brown scored from the rebound.

Within the space of two minutes Ton missed two fantastic chances to take the lead once more. Billings showed great skill to neatly play Alyn Jones in on the 'keeper with Curtis denying the strike. Then in a triangular movement Lee Tapper and Hughes played Dean Morris through but he missed what looked like a simple finish by lifting the ball over the 'keeper.



• Ton defending a Briton Ferry corner

It was Morris that put Ton into the lead four minutes from time when his glancing header from a corner kick beat Curtis at the near post.

Hughes then secured the win in the 89th minute when Fackerel played a quick freekick to the captain who shot under Curtis.

Ton face Goytre United away on March 13 at 3pm, a team that are serious title contenders. Then UWIC Inter Cardiff visit Ynys Park on Wedensday March 17 with a 7.30pm kick off.

Ton Pentre: Marty Ellacott; Ian Shepherd (Lee Tapper, 56mins); Lee Michaels; Jason Roberts (Kristian Orchard, 78mins); Neil Davies; Andrew Hughes; Shaun Fackerel; Dean Morris; Carl Thomas (Tom Billings, 56mins); Alyn Jones; Kerry Harding.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.