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A splendid first half performance saw Ton Pentre score the goals that they needed to defeat a Taffs Well team that four days earlier had ended Goytre United’s 27 game unbeaten run. The Bulldogs had to fend off a strong second half comeback by their opponents, which made the victory at Ynys Park that much sweeter for manager Andrew Hughes and his players.
Former Taffs Well midfielder Lloyd Toghill gave Ton Pentre a 13th minute lead when his strike from outside the box whizzed past goalkeeper Jon Howe. The chance arose after Chris Jones showed real strength in holding the ball up before providing the lay off for Toghill’s strike.
Ton Pentre were playing some excellent football and it was no surprise when Wayne Antionazzi was presented with a chance after being released on goal by a wonderful through ball. With time and space to shoot the winger watched his effort beat Howe but crash against the keeper’s left-hand post.
Soon after, Antionazzi was involved once again, this time he made easy work of avoiding Matthew James’ attempts to stop him as he ran towards the Taffs Well box. Antionazzi then threaded a pass to Chris Jones who had a great chance to score but the striker sent his shot wide of the post.
The Bulldogs deserved a second goal and duly got it four minutes before half time. After receiving the ball 25-yards out from goal, Liam Hutchinson felt confident enough to hit a long range shot. His endeavour caught the Taffs Well defence by surprise when the ball skimmed across the ground before nestling in the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
Taffs Well made an excellent start to the second half taking just three minutes to grasp full advantage of some slack Ton Pentre defending by making it 2-1.
Taffs Well thought they’d scored an equaliser five minutes later when they found the back of the net again, but the goal was ruled out by the Assistant Referee who flagged for an offside infringement.
Following a fabulous save by Leighton James to keep the Bulldogs in front on the hour, Ton Pentre appeared to have endured Taffs Well’s onslaught and began to find their foothold in the game once again.
Fraser Williams, who had replaced Lloyd Toghill, was having much joy on the left wing and could have scored to ease the pressure on the Bulldogs in the 82nd minute. Leon Young had shown great vision to send a cross field pass out to Williams who had space to take a defender on and get into the 18-yard box. He lined up a shot but the youngster fired the ball inches over the bar.
Ton were put on the back foot once more during injury time when James was again on hand to pull off a terrific save after Taffs Well were allowed too much space in and around the box. Tyrone Topper had a chance to equalise after latching on to a pass deep inside the area but the Ton keeper produced a point-blank block to deny the Taffs Well player. If Topper had managed to tap the ball either side of James the match would have been drawn.
It was an excellent result for the Bulldogs particularly after their disappointing 4-3 defeat to Dinas Powys the previous Saturday.
Up next it’s a trip to the Brewery Field for Ton Pentre against underachieving Bridgend Town. Kick off for the MacWhirter Welsh League Divison One fixture is at 2.30pm on Saturday, 13th March.
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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