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A brave display by Ton Pentre was not enough for them to win this pulsating cup tie. All the plaudits were for the Rhondda Bulldogs who outplayed their Welsh Premier opposition in all aspects of the game. Ton made enough chances to put the game beyond Port Talbot in the 1st half in a wonderful display. The Ton supporters were behind their side from the start and were proud of their team after the final whistle.
Ton were quick off the blocks and dictated the early pace and got their reward when they went ahead in the 3rd minute. The Port Talbot defence failed to clear the ball and it fell to Ton striker Raith Plant on the edge of the box, he hit the ball with great skill using the outside of his foot and swerved the shot under the crossbar in the far corner. It was a terrific start for Ton.
It was Ton who looked the “senior” side throughout with them playing all the football. The 1st half was dominated by Ton and their defence of Crutch, Hayward and Picknell with Ellacott in goal were not troubled by Port Talbot were being pressed at the back. Both their centre backs Rees and Surman had a torrid time, with Plant and Alyn Jones not letting them settle and Jones was able to show his close ball skills in and around the area.
 With the game 1-0 at half time Ton continued in the second where they had left off in the 1st. Then with 6 minutes played in the second half came the defining moment of the game, a superb build up down the Ton left, with Shugar, Conaty and Price involved, they passed the ball to Alyn Jones on the edge of the area, he was in on goal with a one on one with the Rogers on the Port Talbot goal, Jones’ hit it low to Rogers right, who got a hand to it and turned it around for a corner.
Port Talbot did come into the game with 20 minutes to go, when Ton were starting to tire a little, a change was made when Mardenborough replaced Jones. Then with 10 minutes to go, Port Talbot scored their equaliser, a break down their right through Blain who crossed into the danger area, where Rose headed goal wards, Ellacott parried the ball onto the crossbar. Cruelly for the Bulldogs the ball dropped to the head of Dean Johnston to head home. Ton made two more changes when Bradford replaced Conaty in the 84th and the injured Picknell was replaced by Orchard in the 90th. After the goal Ton still looked the more likely to score, although Port Talbot’s Dane Williams did break through and get a shot on target. The game ended 1-1 at 90 minutes, so extra time was played.
The 1st half of extra time saw Ton taking the game to Port Talbot without success. Port Talbot substitutes were getting involved in the game and the “half” ended without neither side scoring.
Then came the blow to Ton in the 22nd minute of extra time, Wellington of Port Talbot scored their second goal. He hit the ball low to the left giving Ellacott in the Ton goal giving the keeper no chance.
The Bulldogs sponsored by Merlin Sports, went all out for the equaliser and were hit on the break when Rose scored the 3rd. it was a cruel blow to Ton, however, if they play like this for the rest of the season, this side will be challenging near the top.
At the end the Ton players were applauded and cheered by both sets of supporters, they had demonstrated their ability to play at the highest level. Something really needs to be done to help Ton Pentre FC to move into the Welsh Premier?
Next Saturday (10th Feb) Ton entertain Dinas Powys at Ynys Park 2:00pm kick off. Then on the 13th Maesteg are the vistors 7:30pm kick off.
Match report by Gary Matuszczyk
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Phil Clarke 4. Scott Hayward; 5. Gareth Picknell (Kristian Orchard); 6. Lee Mathews; 7. Ryan Shugars; 8. Steve Conaty (Jamie Bradford); 9. Raith Plant (1) 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones (Mardenborough)
Subs: 12. Dwayne Mardenborough; 14. Jamie Bradford; 15. Kristian Orchard
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