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There were 5 changes in the Rhondda bulldogs 14 from the game against Ely, with the return of the very experienced Ian French included in the starting 11, he was played to counteract the threat of Sommers the 6 foot 7 inch Newport striker. From the kick off the game was very physical and Newport were intent on launching high balls forward from all aspects of play. The Ton defence on the whole coped well.
It took 20 minutes before Ton made the keeper save; Clarke broke out of defence and forced the James in the Newport goal to save with his feet. 2 minutes later Rees volleyed a shot goal wards, again the YMCA keeper was good enough to make a save.
Ton took the lead in the 26th minute, a free kick on the Ton right was headed on by Jamie Michaels, the ball fell to defender Scott Hayward who calmly side footed the ball home. Within 5 minutes Newport had two good shots at goal, with Sommers shooting across the goal.
Marty Ellacott kept the Merlin Sponsored Ton Pentre in the game 5 minutes before half time, a shot was hit fiercely low and to his right, Ellacott dived and got his hand to the ball and saved what looked like a certain goal. 3 minutes later Ton extended their lead; it was the best move of the match that created the goal. The ball was played down the right to Dale Price, who with slide rule precision got the ball to Michaels, he beat 2 defenders and who hit his shot against the post, Tony Rees followed up and put the ball into the net. With half time only a couple of minutes away Ton could have gone further ahead, when top scorer Alyn Jones was 1 on 1 with the keeper, Jones’ shot was saved by the Newport James. This was the last real effort of the half, Ton going in 2-0 up.
Within 2 minutes of the restart Ton had to make a change, injured Jones was replaced by Plant. The opening period saw the home side putting Ton under great pressure, with Newport having the better of the play, the Bulldogs were not able to play their normal passing game. Newport got their reward in the 73rd minute when Aaron Stewart scored, Ton failed to clear the ball and Stewart took his chance to make the game 1-2.
Ton made another change following the goal, Orchard replaced Mathews who had again covered every part of the pitch. Newport were now very much in the game and were chasing the equaliser. With 15 minutes to go the 3rd substitute was used by Ton, Jamie Bradford replaced Rees.
In the 80th minute super sub, Orchard scored his 7th goal of the season, Michaels got in behind the Newport defence, Orchard was screaming for the ball across the area, and Michaels delivered a great pass to Orchard who volleyed the ball home. This restored their 2 goal lead. With 6 minutes to go Newport went down to 10 men, when their substitute was shown a red card after a fracas where about 10 players were involved. A couple of minutes later Sommers scored Newport’s second and final goal, again a mistake allowed Newport to get the ball to Sommers who took his chance.
The game ended 3-2 to Ton Pentre, this was another inept performance by Ton, too many players had off days. It is fortunate Marty Ellacott is in such good form, he certainly kept the Bulldogs in this game!
Every player will have to at their best for the next two games against Neath and Afan Lido, Neath are top of the league and are in superb form and will be looking to help knock the bulldogs back down the league. Then on the 19th, Ton entertain Afan Lido at Ynys Park, another side who are flying at the moment.
There has been a few changes to the Ton Fixture list over the next few weeks:
Saturday 9th December, Newport YMCA Away, 2:00pm
Saturday 16th December, Neath Ath Away, 2:00pm
Tuesday 19th December, Afan Lido Home, 7:30pm.
Match report by Gary Matuszczyk
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Scott Hayward; 5. Ian French; 6. Lee Mathews (Jamie Bradford); 7. Jamie Michaels; 8. Steve Conaty; 9. Tony Rees (1) (Kristian Orchard); 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones (Raith Plant)
Subs: 12. Kristian Orchard (1); 14. Raith Plant; 15. Jamie Bradford
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