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Despite Porthcawl Town’s second half comeback, Ton Pentre never really looked like losing this FAW Welsh Cup Round One match as the Bulldogs class showed against their Welsh League Division Two opponents.
The Rhondda Bulldogs had crashed out of the Welsh Cup at this stage last season against second division opposition in Llanwern, and as a result they were certainly looking to avoid such a shock this year’s competition. Ton signalled this intention within the first five minutes of this clash as Wayne Savage gave Ton the lead.
Having heaped early pressure on the Seasiders, Ton Pentre won two corners. The first was superbly curled in by Phil Clarke but a Porthcawl defender got to the ball first to knock the ball behind for another corner.
As he did with the first, Clarke executed another pinpoint cross that evaded the Porthcawl goalkeeper. As the ball reached the back post Savage was positioned well to chest the ball into the back of the net giving Ton the lead.
Ton grabbed a second goal in the 22nd minute when Andrew Hughes dribbled the ball into the 18-yard box where he passed to Alyn Jones who continued the movement by squaring the ball to Jordan Branch who had run into the box from the right wing. Branch applied an excellent finish to give the Bulldogs complete control of this Welsh Cup fixture.
Branch nearly scored Ton’s third of the match in the 51st minute had it not been for the goal post. Hughes was once again on hand to provide a well timed pass diagonally through the box for Branch to latch onto. From the tight angle that he found himself in, Branch unleashed a fierce strike that unfortunately hit the upright.
As the half progressed Ton’s grip on the match began to slacken as slapdash defensive play allowed Porthcawl to apply pressure through a series of corners. Despite coming close to scoring on several of these occasions Ton somehow managed to stop the ball from ending up in the back of the net.
The Bulldogs gave themselves some breathing space in the 66th minute after Leon Young was upended as he ran into the box resulting in a penalty.
Branch made it 3-0 from the penalty spot with an assured kick that sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Ton should have strolled into the second round of the competition from here but following a mini collapse the Bulldogs were made sweat as the home team pulled two goals back as Ton allowed themselves to get under pressure once again.
Porthcawl’s goals were scored in the 73rd and 84th minutes and Ton were desperate not concede again as the defence finally regained its form to block the Seasider’s advances.
As a result of this defending Ton were able to get the ball forward and secure victory two minutes from time when Chris Jones was released clean through on goal to take the ball around the keeper before slotting it into the back of the net to make it 4-2.
The Bulldogs now eagerly await the draw for the second round of the FAW Welsh Cup.
Ton face their toughest challenge of the season so far on Saturday 19th September when the Bulldogs travel to Port Talbot based club, Goytre United for a Welsh League Division One fixture. The match at Glenhafod Park Stadium kicks off at 2.30pm.
Ton Pentre: 1. Richard Jeffries; 2. Jordan Branch; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Adam Lewis; 5. Ryan Morgan (Captain) 6. Gavin Rodgers; 7. Andrew Hughes; 8. Leon Young; 9. Chris Jones; 10. Wayne Savage 11. Alyn Jones
Substitutes: 12. Dan Morris (for 7 on 74mins); 14. Jamie Thomas (for 2 on 90mins); 15. Rhys Owen 16. P-Gi Pascal
Goals: Savage 4; Branch 22, 66 (Pen); C. Jones 88.
Booking: Rodgers 43; Savage 64
Referee: Teifion Cook (Swansea)
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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