|
Dinas Powys 2 - 2 Ton Pentre
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Saturday 1st November 2008
Andrew Pearson and Steve Edwards scored the goals for Ton Pentre in their 2-2 draw at Dinas Powys as the Rhondda Bulldogs were forced to come from behind twice in this MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One match.
Ton Pentre made a strong start in this game and Scott Hayward almost gave the Bulldogs the lead when he connected to an Alyn Jones free kick in the Dinas Powys box. Unfortunately for Ton Hayward directed his headed shot just wide of the right hand post.
Jones was involved again soon after when he stole possession of the ball from a Dinas Powys defender. He demonstrated excellent awareness as he sent a lovely through ball into Andrew Pearson’s path as he made a run into the 18-yard box. He cut the ball back for strike partner Chris Jones but Pearson’s pass sent him too wide to get a clear strike on goal. Nevertheless it was a wonderful passage of play.
It was Dinas Powys who took the lead in this match when they were awarded a penalty kick after Mark Crutch was judged by the Referee to have fouled Ebony Dixon in the Ton box. Geza Hajgato stepped up to take the spot kick and converted it past goalkeeper Keiron Blackburn.
Ton were quick to pull themselves level when some sublime skill from Pearson, having received the ball from Lloyd Toghill, allowed the player to create room for himself so that he could take a strike at goal. His shot was on target but a deflection off Dinas defender Lee Berry helped to send the ball past Chris Golton.
Nathan Hosgood almost gave the home team a half time lead when his quick free kick on the edge of the Ton box was cleared off the line by Phil Clarke when Blackburn was unable to get a strong hold on the ball.
Early in the second half Steve Edwards came off the bench to replace Chris Jones as the Bulldogs looked to improve the mobility on the right side of midfield.
Dinas Powys were forced to play the final 26 minutes of the game with just ten men when Cyron Williams was sent off for serious foul play following a reckless tackle on Ton’s Ryan Shugar.
Despite being at a disadvantage Dinas took the lead for the second time in this match when a mistake in defence allowed Liam Beattie to run clear at goal. Once he got into the box Blackburn attempted to collect the ball at his feet but took his legs away instead. Dinas were awarded their second penalty of the match and Hajgato scored from the spot again.
Ton piled the pressure on their hosts and were denied a penalty despite Pearson being tripped after knocking the ball beyond the defender in the box.
As full time approached Blackburn was called upon to produce a fine save to keep the Bulldogs in the match after Dinas were allowed to gain possession in midfield. Once Blackburn had the ball in his arms he booted it up the field. The long ball reached the Dinas penalty area where Edwards headed the ball over Golton for Ton to draw level.
Ton were denied another penalty in the closing stages of the match when Andrew Hughes was clearly taken out in the box leaving him injured on the ground near the penalty spot. Again the Referee failed to award a foul, a decision that incensed both the players and the Ton fans.
The Bulldogs came incredibly close to winning the match deep into injury time when a cross by Alyn Jones was met by Edwards in the box and his header beat the keeper but hit the right hand post.
Although they didn’t get the win this was a much better Ton performance compared to recent matches and the Bulldogs will hope to improve their form further when they travel to Garden Village, near Swansea, on 8th November for a Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup Round Two match. The game kicks off at 1.30pm.
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
|
