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This top of the table clash had it all, an own goal, a wonderful penalty save and two superb goals plus the two sides of the GUS properties sponsored Rhondda Bulldogs!
In the first half Ton gave Neath their early Christmas present with an own goal and a penalty, but in the second Ton dominated and Ton captain Marty Ellacott saved a penalty.
 With Neath top of the table and Ton 3rd this was the match of the day and was expected to be a spectacle of passing football, however it wasn’t the pitch was very poor and not conducive to flowing football, this suited Neath who played the long ball game to their strikers. The opening 15 minutes was Neath’s, Ton were guilty of giving the ball away too easily with Neath closing the ball down and not allowing their opponents anytime on the ball.
Neath took the lead in the 20th minute, a long speculative ball was played to left hand side of the Ton area, Ton’s Phil Clarke tried to volley it clear, however his attempt went goal wards over the helpless Ellacott in the Ton goal. It was a stunning own goal.
Neath were buoyed by this and Ton were struggling to get any rhythm or flow their game. Neath were pressing the ball and then in the 33rd minute, a poor tackle by the Ton defence on Robert Folland resulted in a penalty for home sode, Andy Hill took the spot kick and slotted the ball home to make it 2-0.
The remainder of the half saw Neath control the game, with the Bulldogs giving the ball away cheaply. Neath had a good chance to extend their lead, when Hill was through with only Ellacott to beat. However Ellacott pulled off another great save. Ton did create a numbers of chances with Rees and Jones, however their fired their shots wide and over.
 At half time Ton made 2 changes, Rees and Jones came off with Ryan Shugar and debutant, Ryan Jenkins, replacing them.
The second half started with the Merlin sponsored Ton Pentre taking the game to Neath and within 5 minutes of the restart Ton scored, the ball broke to Jamie Michaels on the left hand side of the Neath penalty area, Michaels chipped the ball into the net from 18 yards, it was a superbly taken goal. Following the goal Neath appealed to referee for a foul on Pocket, the referee waved away the appeals.
Ton continued to go forward looking for an equaliser and were now the better side and full of confidence. Neath were defending very deeply and were using every trick to slow the game down, on one occasion their bench kicked a second ball onto the pitch when Ton were on the attack, the referee had no option but top stop the game. Their players were also going down for long periods for minor knocks which was upsetting the tempo of the visitors. This games manship, backfired on Neath. in the 65th minute when the ball went out for a throw in to Ton, a Neath player was down and the Neath players expected the referee to stop the game, he did not and let play continue, the ball was played to Ryan Jenkins who received the ball on the right side about 30 yards from goal, he hit an unstoppable shot which hit the back of the net like a rocket. It was a superb effort which brought the scores equal. Again Neath appealed to no avail.
After the goal Ton looked like they could get all 3 points and attacked at every opportunity. However, there was one last twist to the game, when in the 89th minute. Neath were awarded a controversial penalty, a low cross hit the body of Conaty at the near post, the assistant referee gave a corner, however, the referee gave a penalty. Although the Ton players protested but the penalty award stood. Again their prolific scorer Andy Hill took the spot kick, he struck the ball firmly to the left of Ellacott who was at full stretch, he got his hand to the ball and pushed the ball around the post for a corner. It was a wonderful save by a terrific keeper. The game ended with the teams sharing the points.
This draw had shown how far this Ton side has developed from last season, they are now genuine contenders for the title. They have a class keeper in Marty Ellacott, are gelling as a unit and there's competition for places. Let’s hope they continue with this form for the rest of the season.
Everyone at the Rhondda Bulldogs would like to wish all their supporters and sponsors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Match report by Gary Matuszczyk
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Kristian Orchard 5. Gareth Picknell; 6. Lee Mathews; 7. Jamie Michaels (1); 8. Steve Conaty; 9. Tony Rees (Ryan Shugar); 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones (Ryan Jenkins)
Subs: 12. Ryan Shugar 14. Raith Plant 15. Ryan Jenkins (1)
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