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Ton Pentre added to Ely Rangers woe at Station Road as the relegation strugglers succumbed to a first half Dale Price penalty and a goal five minutes from the end by Andy Mainwaring.
Ely lie second from bottom in the league and their situation is desperate. However, it’s tight down the bottom and the home team should feel pleased with their second half display as they battled well against the Rhondda Bulldogs who limped through the second half and were lucky not to concede a goal.
The first half was completely different. Ton looked confident and played some exquisite football. However, they had to wait until the 18th minute for a breakthrough and it came in the form of a penalty.
After battling hard on the right side of the pitch, Scott Hayward sent a lovely cross in to the box. Ely defender Jason Clarke jumped for the ball but missed it with his head but caught it with his outstretched arm. Referee Alan Boore did not hesitate in awarding a penalty kick.
Dale Price stepped up and put Ton in front from the spot.
From here it looked as though the Bulldogs were going to stamp their authority on the game but they never did and this gave Ely the belief and the spirit that they could get something from this match in the second half.
After half time Ton were unable to keep possession due to misplaced passes and what appeared to be a lack of concentration.
Ton goalkeeper Marty Ellacott was forced into making a string of superb saves to keep Ely at bay.
In the 75th minute Kevin Richards decided for a change up front and Dwayne Mardenborough replaced Alyn Jones.
Mardenborough looked lively within ten minutes of his introduction into the match he had helped Ton secure the win. In the 85th minute he received a pass from Price on the left and on the by-line Mardenborough passed two Ely defenders to set up Mainwaring who blasted his shot into the back of the goal to make it 2-0.
Ton Pentre face three difficult matches over the space of a week. Firstly they visit reigning champions Goytre United on Saturday 14th April (2.30pm), then top of the table Neath Athletic come to Ynys Park on Wednesday 18th April (7.30pm) and finally Ton play Welsh Cup finalists Afan Lido away on Saturday 21st April (2.30pm).
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott (Captain); 2. Gareth Picknell; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Paul Evans; 5. Scott Hayward; 6. Steve Conaty; 7. Jamie Bradford; 8. Alyn Jones; 9. Andy Mainwaring; 10. Dale Price; 11. Ryan Jenkins
Subs: 12. Kristian Orchard (Clarke, 45); 14. Dwayne Mardenborough (Jones, 75); 15. Lee Matthews
Goals: Price, 18 (pen); Mainwaring, 85
Cautions: None
Red Cards: None
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