A RESOUNDING second half performance saw the Rhondda Bulldogs overcome the odds to pick up all three points against a very useful looking Skewen Athletic team.

Ton Pentre’s Shaun Fackeral was sent off for the second time this season during the first half of this top of the table clash, when he allegedly elbowed an opposition player in the face during first half injury time. Playing the second half with just 10 men on the field the Rhondda Bulldogs showed extraordinary character as they remained resolute in all areas of the pitch to hold out for the superb win.

Fackeral was a hero before he turned villain when, straight from kick off, he stormed forward and smashed a 25 yard shot into the back of the net after just six seconds. It has become a habit for the Bulldogs to score within seconds of the kick off with the opening goals in the two previous league games clocking in at 26 seconds at Bridgend and 15 seconds at UWIC.

A frustrated Skewen had to wait no longer than 10 minutes for an equalizer when Stephen Pockett headed strong past Jon Howe after connecting with a ball crossed from the left.

On the half hour mark Skewen found themselves in the lead when the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors following Neil Davies’ challenge on an attacking player in the box. Although there was very little contact made the player fell to the ground very easily but his run was interrupted and the penalty decision correct. Howe was unfortunate not to stop the penalty shot as he dived the right way but the ball went under his body.

Ton drew level in the third minute of injury time from a freekick that was awarded for a foul on Andrew Hughes wide on the right. Fackeral sent a perfect ball to the far post where Nathan Prygodzicz headed in his second goal of the season.

That was Fackeral’s last contribution in the match as in the seventh minute of first half injury time he was shown the red card that reduced Ton to 10 men for the entire second half.

This meant that Ton needed some re-organising at the interval and so Ian Davies, Lee Brown and Kristian Orchard made way for Geraint Pitt, Lyndon Williams and Scott Hayward.

Hayward had a chance at glory when in the 51st minute he took the ball into the area and watched his shot skim over the crossbar.

Ten minutes later Andrew Seburn was quick to react to a wayward back pass that allowed him to take possession of the ball into the Skewen area, where he squared to Williams on the edge of the six yard box, who thrashed a shot past goalkeeper Mark Snell.

The second half of this clash was a credit to Welsh League football with entertainment levels high as Ton attempted to keep Skewen out.

Jon Howe was forced to tip over the bar in the 89th minute from Stephen Evans’s goalward shot, to help Ton to a fantastic league win in an enthralling but nerve tingling Division One encounter.

Match Facts

Line-up:

1. Jonathan HOWE
2. Lee TAPPER
3. Neil DAVIES
4. Ian DAVIES
5. 5. Nathan PRYGODZICZ
6. Andrew HUGHES (capt.)
7. Shaun FACKEREL
8. Andrew SEBURN
9. Carl THOMAS
10. Lee BROWN
11. Kristian Orchard

Substitutes: 12. SCott HAYWARD (Kristian Orchard, 45 mins); 14. Geraint PITT (Ian Davies, 45 mins); 15. Lyndon WILLIAMS (Lee Brown, 45 mins)

Goals: Shaun Fackeral (1 min); Nathan Prygodzicz (45+3 mins); Lyndon Williams (61 mins)

Yellow Cards: Andrew Hughes (18 mins); Ian Davies (45 mins)

Red Cards: Shaun Fackeral (45+7 mins)

Match report by Rob Dowling