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After pulling themselves level in the second half, Ton Pentre became the dominant force in this match against reigning MacWhirter Welsh League Division One champions Aberaman Athletic at their Golden Acres home.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs they were unable to score a winning goal despite having at least six brilliant opportunities to net what looked like certain goals.
These goal scoring chances were mainly created by player/manager Andrew Hughes, who without his usual strike force decided to play himself up front. His ability to hold the ball up along with his skill helped to produce many of the Ton Pentre chances.
When Aberaman conceded the eqauliser they appeared to lose confidence and looked incredibly vulnerable. The Cynon Valley outfit were a completely different team when compared to their first half performance.
Liam Beattie had given the home team the lead after 14 minutes when Aberaman counter attacked when a Ton move broke down with Andrew Hughes in attack. Although Hughes appeared to have been fouled after losing the ball the referee ignored his protests as Aberaman worked the ball down the left.
Once Beattie was in control of the ball he spotted Ton goalkeeper Richard Jeffries rushing off his line to narrow the angle. With space running out the former Dinas Powys striker lobbed Jeffries to send the ball into the back of the net for a sublime goal.
Aberaman were certainly the most creative team in attack during the first half and they nearly doubled their lead soon after when following some defensive confusion in the Ton box they hit the post. From this lucky escape the Bulldogs sent the ball up field where Hughes got himself into a position to shoot. He was unable to avoid Gareth Williams in between the posts as he sent his effort into his arms.
Ton Pentre pulled themselves level through Wayne Antionazzi in the 50th minute of the match when an Aberaman defender slipped on the uneven surface at Golden Acres on the edge of the box. Antionazzi was close by and after taking possession he finished well for a fortunate goal.
From here the Rhondda Bulldogs completely dominated the second half exchanges and pleasingly for the management created chance after chance. However, Ton’s finishing was poor leaving Aberaman feeling fortunate that they were not on the end of a Bulldogs hammering.
Hughes crossed into Martyn Phillips’ run on the hour and just as the Ton midfielder jumped to head it Williams pounced through the air to take it off his forehead.
Antionazzi had a superb chance to give the Bulldogs the lead ten minutes later after Hughes held the ball up before squaring it inside to the attacking winger. Antionazzi had the vastness of an open goal but somehow sent the ball centimetres wide of the left post. The player lay on the ground with hands over his face in disbelief.
Leon Young was also guilty of missing the target when he was presented with a fantastic opportunity to score after Hughes played him in with a cheeky chip over the Aberaman defence. With just the keeper to beat Young sent the ball wide of the left post.
During the 87th minute of play Hughes was again on hand to set the ball up for a goal scoring opportunity when his pass to Phillips presented another wonderful chance to score and win the game. Phillips’ shot appeared to be goal bound and Ton’s travelling fans started to celebrate but somehow the ball skimmed wide of the left hand post once again leaving everyone gasping in disbelief.
Football can be a cruel game and the Bulldogs were always weary that they may be made to rue these missed chances and deep into injury time this was nearly the case.
In an unusual second half break from Ton’s pressure, Aberaman were able to get the ball into the Bulldogs box deep into injury time. As the Ton defence creaked under their attacking pressure Aberaman hit the cross bar and the ball fortunately fell to a Ton defender who punted it up field.
Andrew Hughes will be very pleased with Ton’s second half performance and in particular with the amount of chances that the Bulldogs were able to produce. He may very well decide to keep playing himself up front as he certainly put in a man of the match performance.
Ton have another tough test on Saturday, 20th February 2010 when the Welsh League’s surprise package, Caldicot Town, visit Ynys Park for a 2pm kick off.
Ton Pentre: 1. Richard Jeffries; 2. Adam Lewis; 3. Matthew Hearne (61mins); 4. Ryan Morgan (Captain); 5. Tom Davies; 6. Leon Young; 7. Wayne Antionazzi; 8. Liam Hutchinson; 9. Andrew Hughes; 10. Martyn Phillips (90mins); 11. Fraser Williams (78mins).
Substitutes: 12. Phil Clarke (78mins); 14. Matthew O’Keefe; 15. Jamie Thomas (61mins); 16. Calvin Mclaggon (90mins); 17. Leighton James.
Goal: Antionazzi 50
Booking: Phillips 17
Referee: Ian Holyoake (Porthcawl)
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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