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Jordan Branch scored a hat-trick as Ton Pentre got their first win of the season at Swansea based outfit, West End. The former Port Vale player has now scored five goals in three games, which is not a bad return for a wingback.
Despite playing the better football for the majority of this fixture, Ton Pentre frustratingly made hard work of the match after failing to make all of their chances count which allowed West End to get back into the game on two occasions.
Early chances fell to Chris Jones and Dominic Broad but Ton failed to take full advantage of their opportunities.
After Alyn Jones had played a through ball for Chris Jones the Ton striker saw his shot blocked by Nicky Pritchard in the West End goals, his follow-up strike was hit directly into the keepers hands.
Broad’s chance to score was the end product of some neat build-up play. Dan Morris had taken possession of the ball on the right. He squared a cross into the box for Chris Jones whose backward pass set up an opportunity to strike for Broad. The former Cwmbran Town midfielder hit the ball well but saw his effort cleared off the line by a defender’s header.
Ton deserved a goal and they got one from the penalty spot after Steve Crabbe impeded Dan Morris’ run into the box by putting his arm over the striker’s shoulder. Jordan Branch stepped up to take the spot kick and confidently placed the ball into the back of the net after sending Pritchard the wrong way.
With half time fast approaching poor defending from Ton allowed Darren Griffiths to advance towards the goalmouth and finish off his solo effort with a goal scored from just inside the 18-yard box.
Ton were put under pressure early on in the second half through a series of West End corners. The Bulldogs looked unorganised in the box but despite looking likely to concede they managed to eventually clear the ball to safety.
Once Ton had settled in the second half they began to play some attractive football once more. Chris Jones and Branch linked to work the ball up the right wing before playing it into central midfield for Leon Young. Branch continued his run into the box and was picked out by Young and finished the move with a lovely strike to regain the lead.
Moments later Adam Lewis was forced to clear the ball from under the cross bar after a West End free kick on the edge of the box caused panic in the penalty area.
West End did score with their next significant attack when a Ton move broke down up front allowing the home team to break through the middle of the pitch. With plenty of space the West End striker was presented with a reasonably easy chance to score, which he duly took.
The match looked likely to end as a draw but a long throw into the box by Branch resulted in a West End defender handling the ball under pressure. The Referee was quick to award a penalty from which Branch scored his third of the game to secure all three points.
With the Bulldogs relieved to get the win they will now look towards Wednesday’s (26 August) home match against Pontardawe Town at 7.15pm.
Ton Pentre: 1. Richard Jeffries; 2. Jordan Branch; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Adam Lewis; 5. Shane Brewer; 6. Andrew Hughes; 7. Dominic Broad; 8. Leon Young; 9. Chris Jones; 10. Dan Morris; 11. Alyn Jones (Captain).
Substitutes: 12. Jamie Thomas for 10 on 81 mins; 14. P-Gi Pascal
Goals: Branch 23 (Pen), 55, 82 (Pen).
Booked: Hughes 88 Referee: Gareth Ayres (Port Talbot)
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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