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The Rhondda Bulldogs were much improved in their game against Afan Lido but were still unable to avoid defeat at the Marston’s Stadium as Mark Jones grabbed the winner for the Aberavon based club.
Ton Pentre dictated the early play in this match with Andrew Hughes and Liam Hutchinson coming close for the Bulldogs with well hit shots.
Afan Lido were lucky not concede once again when in the 12th minute of play, Hughes and Leon Young were presented with opportunities to score from close range, however, some staunch defending saw their efforts blocked on the line by the goalkeeper and his defenders before the home team eventually hoisted the ball to safety.
Following the award of a corner kick, Ton’s Leighton James was alert in goals as Mark Jones connected with a header. The ball came quickly towards James but he comfortably took it into his arms as Afan Lido rued a great chance.
On the half hour Hughes linked with Alyn Jones on the edge of the box to help create a wonderful opening. After Jones had sent a return pass over the defence Hughes volleyed the ball but his strike went over Mike Lewis’ cross bar.
With seven minutes of the first half remaining Ton Pentre should have been in the lead when Jonathan Hood mishit a free kick directly to Chris Jones who had a free run at goal. When he was one-on-one with Lewis, Jones elected to slot the ball to the right of the goalkeeper but just as Ton thought they were going to be a goal up, the ball went wide of the post.
Title chasing Afan Lido clearly realised that they had to do better in the second half and their management team would have been pleased in the way that they responded. They put the Bulldogs on the back foot for the first ten minutes and got their reward when a cross into the box from the left was not effectively dealt with by the Ton defence and Mark Jones slotted the ball into the net deep inside the area.
When Hughes and Lloyd Toghill worked the ball forward to the edge of the box a pressurised Afan Lido defender knocked the ball straight to Chris Jones in the penalty area. As Jones was about to let a shot loose the Afan Lido defender managed to recover and block the strike.
Whilst under some sustained pressure Leighton James kept Ton Pentre in the game when he pulled off a fine save after Nathan White went one-on-one with the Bulldogs shot stopper in the 83rd minute.
Time was running out for the Bulldogs and as they were desperately searching for an equaliser Ton were camped in and around the Afan Lido box. When Leon Young attained possession with his back to goal on the edge of the six-yard box he was bundled to the ground by Shaun Galsworthy who pushed him high in the back. Unfortunately, the match officials decided to refrain from making a crucial decision leaving the Bulldogs incensed at the failure to award a penalty.
Afan Lido held out for the win which has seen the Aberavon club move into second place in Division One of the Welsh Football League.
Ton’s next match is on Saturday, 24th April when they travel West to Garden Village. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
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Ton Pentre: 1. Leighton James, 2. Phil Clarke, 3. Fraser Williams, 4. Adam Lewis, 5. Jamie Thomas, 6. Leon Young, 7. Liam Hutchinson (55mins), 8. Andrew Hughes, 9. Chris Jones (54mins), 10. Lloyd Toghill, 11. Alyn Jones (Captain).
Substitutes: 12. Calvin Mclaggon (74mins), 14. Wayne Antionazzi (75mins), 15 Tom Davies.
Goals: None
Booking: Thomas 69
Referee: Lee James (Pontardawe)
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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