DINAS POWYS were visitors to Ynys Park for a midweek league clash that saw Ton Pentre pick up three vital points to remain with the leading pack in the Motaquote Welsh League Division One.

Difficult wet conditions stopped this game from becoming a spectacle but both clubs gave it their all but neither looked like taking the advantage.

Ton Pentre had an early goal ruled out for offside after Scott Hayward launched a lovely ball over the Dinas defence for Carl Thomas to finish exquisitely but it was all in vain as he saw the referee’s assistant’s flag raised on the far side.

Following this Peter Lewis forced Bulldogs ‘keeper Jon Howe into a save when Dinas attacked immediately from the freekick.

As the half hour approached the Ton defence was breached by Jamie Dix who saw his strike take a wicked deflection off Neil Davies’ body to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Rhondda Bulldogs showed good spirit and were rewarded in the 35th minute after Alyn Jones had whipped a low cross through the 6 yard box. The ball missed everyone but ended up at Lee Tapper’s feet. He drilled the ball back through the box and this time Lyndon Williams hit the equaliser.

Before half time Ton had turned the game around. After receiving a return ball from Thomas, Andrew Hughes made no mistake with his shot as he confidently struck the ball to send it into the net past Billy Clarke.

Neither team created much in a second half that rarely saw the ball leave the midfield. The best chances of the second half though fell to Dinas Powys.

Lewis was on the end of a simple pass forward in the 56th minute but his well hit shot took a deflection off a Ton defender to go out for a corner, from which Dinas failed to capitalise.

Their best chance of getting a point from this match was after an hour of play when their attack outnumbered the Ton defenders, but the final ball was crossed behind Nathan Hosgood and their best chance to draw level was gone.

Match Facts

Line-up:

1. Jonathan HOWE
2. Lee TAPPER
3. Neil DAVIES
4. Shaun FACKERAL
5. Nathan PRYGODZICZ
6. Andrew HUGHES (Capt)
7. Lyndon WILLIAMS
8. Dale PRICE
9. CarlTHOMAS
10. Alyn JONES
11. Scott HAYWARD

Substitutes:

12. Geraint PITT on for Shaun Fackeral, 81 mins.
14. Kristian ORCHARD on for Alyn Jones, 77 mins.
15. Ian DAVIES on for Lee Tapper, 45 mins.

Goals: Lyndon Williams, 35 mins; Andrew Hughes, 41 mins.

Bookings: Lyndom Williams, 70 mins.

Match report by Rob Dowling