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Despite having to play the majority of this match with ten men, the Rhondda Bulldogs of Ton Pentre managed to come from behind to beat Ely Rangers in a Friday night match at Ynys Park.
It was Alyn Jones who saw red for the Bulldogs in the 16th minute with his sending off the result of violent conduct.
As the Ton striker brought the ball under his control in the middle of the pitch he had space ahead of him and an attack looked promising. Just as Jones was attempting to run into this space an Ely Rangers player pulled his shirt to stop his progress. Jones was dismissed for his reaction after being confronted by several Ely players.
From the resulting free kick Ton launched the ball into the box but Ely were able to clear and hit the Bulldogs on the break. Richard Greaves was the player who hit the back of the net in the 18th minute to add to Ton’s woes.
Although they were a goal down, Ton remained well organised as Ely failed to make the extra man count. The Bulldogs also had fortune on their side when in the 26th minute Richard Jeffries booted a huge kick up field. As Ely goalkeeper, Ian Davies, came off his line to get the ball, defender Gareth West headed the ball over him and into his own net.
The Bulldogs looked motivated and 8 minutes later they gained the lead when from a Liam Hutchinson corner kick Tom Davies finally guided the ball into the goal after Ton had seen several shots blocked or kicked off the line.
Even though Ton were a man less they were still capable of creating chances and could have been further in the lead early in the second half. Chris Jones received the ball in the Ely box on 50 minutes with space and time to take a look at what area of the goal he wanted to target. He struck a neat shot that looked likely to test the keeper but the ball took a deflection off a defender to send it off target.
Ely Rangers did manage to put the Bulldogs under some sustained pressure when Ton had to remain resolute for the final 15 minutes of the match. Between Richard Jeffries and the defence Ely were unable to find an equaliser and when Neil Coleman sent his shot over the bar deep into injury time the visitors knew they were consigned to defeat.
Ton, who are currently third in Welsh League Division One, visit fourth placed Aberaman Athletic on Saturday, 13th February for a 2pm kick off.
Ton Pentre: 1. Richard Jeffries; 2. Adam Lewis; 3. Matthew Hearne; 4. Ryan Morgan (Captain); 5. Tom Davies; 6. Leon Young; 7. Wayne Antionazzi (71 mins); 8. Liam Hutchinson; 9. Chris Jones (87 mins); 10. Caio Iwan (61mins); 11. Alyn Jones.
Substitutes: 12. Jamie Thomas (87 mins); 14. Calvin Mclaggon (61 mins); 15. Martyn Phillips (71 mins); 16. Leighton James; 17. Grant Parfitt.
Goals: West (O.G.) 26, Davies 34
Booked: Hutchinson 8, Morgan 18, Lewis 25, C.Jones 62
Sent Off: A.Jones 16
Referee: Phil Thomas (Tonypandy)
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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