TON PENTRE failed to beat a Bridgend Town team that was reduced to ten men during the first half as they left Coychurch Road with, what will now be looked upon by the Rhondda Bulldogs, as a lucky point. After a first half goal extravaganza Ton Pentre looked second best to their ten men Welsh League rivals.

In the opening 15 minutes neither team looked as though they knew how to defend with the spectators being treated to five quick goals. Ton opened up the afternoon’s goalscoring after just 26 seconds as they pounced straight into action.

Andrew Hughes, Lee Brown and Carl Thomas had shots and headers cleared from the Bridgend goal line before Alyn Jones finally got the ball in the net.

Bridgend replied almost immediately when after 1 minute and 54 seconds they equalised following a simple ball over the top of the Ton defence that allowed their striker to finish with ease.

With just five minutes played Ton took the lead for the second time. It was Jones who scored once again after some great Bulldogs play, with Brown setting his fellow team mate up to strike the ball for a goal.

Ton went further into the lead six minutes later when defender Ian Davies headed in from a corner that Brown had worked hard to win. It was a tight call as it looked like it may have been cleared off the line but the referees assistant was brave and flagged for the goal to stand.

The comfort of being two goals clear didn’t last very long for Ton as during the 14th minute they failed to defend on the wing and in the box that allowed a Bridgend player to have an easy header to score from.

Rhondda Bulldogs captain Andrew Hughes was on the receiving end of serious foul play when a Bridgend midfielder went into a challenge two footed and was lucky not to get severely injured. The referee showed no hesitation in sending the player off the field forcing the home side to complete the match with ten men from 35 minutes onwards.

Although this should have proved to be an hindrance to Bridgend, Ton Pentre failed to capitalise during the second half with the home side always looking the more likely to score.

One of Bridgend’s best chances was when player/manager Francis Ford was introduced to the game as a substitute and took a sweet freekick that forced a good save from Jon Howe in the Ton goals.

Bridgend finally got what they deserved in the 86th minute when Ton’s Hughes jumped to head the ball and directed it backwards towards his own goal. Steve Hughes was quick to get onto the stray ball and made it 3-3 with no hesitation.

Although this was a poor performance the Rhondda Bulldogs remain undefeated so far this season.

Match Facts

Line-up:

1. Jonathan HOWE
2. Lee TAPPER
3. Neil DAVIES
4. Ian DAVIES
5. 5. Nathan PRYGODZICZ
6. Andrew HUGHES
7. Alyn JONES
8. Kristian ORCHARD
9. Carl THOMAS
10. Lee BROWN
11. Andrew SEBURN

Substitutes: 12. Geraint PITT (Andrew Seburn, 67 mins); 14. Scott HAYWARD (Lee Tapper, 66mins); 15. Dai JONES (Kristian Orchard, 73 mins).

Goals: Alyn Jones, 1 min, 5 mins; Ian Davies, 11 mins.

Yellow Cards: Nathan Prygodzicz, 63 mins.

Match report by Rob Dowling