TON PENTRE continued their fine pre-season form with a good win over Llanelli at Stebonheath Park.

Under glorious sunshine this match was seriously contested by both participants with the Rhondda Bulldogs playing the better football overall.

Ton had quite a few chances to take the lead in the first half but failed to beat the Llanelli goalkeeper. Lyndon Williams came close with an effort that only missed by a few inches when he attempted to place the ball in the top right hand corner, after receiving a pass from Alyn Jones.

On the other side of the half-time break it was Llanelli’s turn to come close but Neil Davies was on hand to make a superb sliding tackle in the Ton Pentre box to take the ball away from the attackers’ feet. Penalty shouts were heard from all over Stebonheath Park from the home fans and players but the referee correctly turned the appeal down as Davies had made first contact with the ball.

Ton created an opening for themselves soon after when Jones threaded a perfect through ball to Williams. His shot though was well saved by the home sides’ goalie.

Ton’s goalie, Jon Howe, was called into action midway through the half when he denied Anthony Wright with a terrific save in a one on one situation.

The Bulldogs finally broke the deadlock six minutes from time when Scott Hayward ran up the right wing to launch the ball over the defence for Jones to connect and dink the ball over the goalkeeper just inside the box.

Ton continued to look energetic as full-time approached and Hayward capped off another good team performance with a goal when his strike from outside the box found its way under the ‘keeper.

This win will give Ton Pentre confidence for the opening league match against Taffs Well at Ynys Park on Saturday August 14 at 3pm.

Match report by Rob Dowling