BRIDGEND TOWN forced a draw for the second time this season against Ton Pentre when the side’s met for a Thursday evening clash at Ynys Park. The Rhondda Bulldogs were without Captain Andrew Hughes and striker Carl Thomas therefore allowing Dale Price and Lee Brown to start.

Ton Pentre started well and their early pressure nearly resulted in a goal when Andrew Seburn played a deceptive ball into the box that led Bridgend goalkeeper Ross Hooper-Nash to back track in order to get it. It appeared as though the ball had crossed the goal line but the referee’s assistant failed to give it.

The action changed ends moments later when Jon Howe was called into action following a free kick. As the ball was played around the defensive wall Howe was quick to come off his line to smother a Bridgend player’s shot.

The Rhondda Bulldogs went on the offensive immediately as Dale Price looped a ball behind the Bridgend defence for Seburn to take into his stride. His well-hit half volley went inches wide of Hooper-Nash’s far post.

Although Lee Brown had put steady pressure on the visitor’s defence they were still able to carve out a chance before half time. Alun Hughes sent a dangerous cross into the box that looked perfect but for Howe’s quick reaction to punch the ball to safety.

Controversy kicked off the second half, as it appeared the ball had crossed the Bridgend goal line for the second time in the match but no goal given.

During the attack Jason Brown had taken Lyndon Williams out of play and Geraint Pitt sent the ball into the area from the resulting free kick. With the ball at his feet Lee Tapper took a shot that was cleared from the goalmouth by a defender. All the Ton player’s in the box celebrated but the referee’s assistant did not flag to confirm it. When the ball went dead the players protested to the referee and his assistant as they were convinced that this time the ball had crossed the line.

The Bulldogs did not have to wait long until they did have a goal allowed. Although Lee Brown was pushed wide, he did mange to break through the defence. As the ball looked to be running out of play Brown took a snap shot at goal. Hooper-Nash got his hands to the ball but was unable to catch it and this helped the ball sneak into the net. Although he got back to put a foot on it the referee’s assistant signaled that it had crossed the line.

For the remainder of the match Ton appeared to sit back as Bridgend launched wave after wave of attack.

Ben Bannon, Alun Hughes and Nana Baah all had shots cleared from the line and denied either by luck or exceptional saves from Howe. In one instance Baah saw his header stopped by Howe’s legs and from the resulting corner Dale Price was forced into a goal line clearance.

It was inevitable that Bridgend would get the equalizer but it seemed all the luck was on Ton’s side, and it was for 90 minutes. However, their luck could not last through injury time and that is when the visitors scored a goal that rewarded them for their efforts. From a corner the ball was converted following a scramble between the two teams.

Ton Pentre Match Facts

Line Up:

1. Jon HOWE
2. Lee TAPPER
3. Neil DAVIES
4. Ian DAVIES
5. Nathan PRYGODZICZ
6. Dale PRICE
7. Geraint PITT
8. Andrew SEBURN
9. Lyndon WILLIAMS
10. Lee BROWN
11. Scott HAYWARD

Substitutes: 12. Kristian ORCHARD (Lyndon Williams, 77 mins); 14. Alyn JONES; 15. ~~~~~~~~ (Geraint Pitt, 89 mins).

Goal: Lee Brown, 61 mins.

Bookings: Scott Hayward, 90+1 mins.

Match report by Rob Dowling