Motaquote Welsh League Division One
07/04/04: Cardiff Corinthians 0 - 1 Ton Pentre

ALYN JONES supplied the goal that handed the Rhondda Bulldogs victory over lowly Cardiff Corinthians. Before the match Corries were lying third from bottom and following this latest loss, they now look set to be relegated to the second division.

The first half of this match was forgettable and scrappy. Any fluid play was hindered by the choppy surface that made running with the ball look difficult.

Ton defender Neil Davies was called upon twice within ten minutes to deny Corries a chance on goal. On the first occasion Jon Manley had broken off to the right and got himself into the box but was unable to get through the strong challenge of Davies. The second occasion saw Davies block Manley once again as he cleared the ball just as the player was about to shoot and most certainly score.

As half-time approached a simple ball over the top of the Corries defence set Alyn Jones free on goal but as he went to round the 'keeper he tripped on the turf.

The second half was a little more entertaining with marginally better football being played by both sides. Ton made a half-time substitution with Richard Haig replacing Lee Tapper.

Corries were forced to defend frantically at times during the second half as they began to struggle with Ton's front men.

Ton looked certain to score when Andrew Hughes had played the ball out to Kerry Harding on the wing, whose early cross into the box was met by Haig. He jumped alone to head towards goal but Quinn McCarthy produced a wonderful one handed save to keep the ball out.

Soon after the action was up the other end of the field with Marty Ellacott taking a turn at goalie theatrics when he pulled off a superb save to deny Manley's headed effort.

It appeared that the games two best chances of a goal had gone and that the game would play out for a draw, which Corries would welcomed to aide their relegation battle.

Alyn Jones had different ideas however, when he scored five minutes from time. His goal was the result of a cracking run through the Corries defence following a return pass from a fellow player deep in the goal area. Although McCarthy denied his first shot he was unable to keep the follow up from crossing the line.

Hughes could have finished the game off two minutes later when Mike Jones played the ball up the wing for Haig to head onto Carl Thomas who held the ball up. He slipped the ball into the box but Hughes was not allowed to get his full force behind the ball due to Richard Carter's challenge.

Another chance fell to Ton in the final minute after Ian Shepherd took a quick throw-in to put Haig in on goal. The assistant player/manager though fired his shot against the outside of the stanchion.

The positive result means that Ton could yet finish second in the league especially with two games against Grange Quins left to play this season. The first of which will be played at Leckwith Stadium on Saturday April 7 with an expected kick off time of 3pm. The home match against the Quins is yet to be arranged.

Ton Pentre: Marty Ellacott; Ian Shepherd; Neil Davies; Mike Jones; Jason Roberts; Andrew Hughes; Shaun Fackerel; Lee Tapper (Richard Haig, 45mins); Carl Thomas; Alyn Jones; Kerry Harding. Substitutes not used: Kevin Richards & Jon Howe.

Match Report by Robert Dowling.