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Ton Pentre entertained ENTO Aberaman for their opening league game of the season. The many fans at the ground were there to see if the pre-season expectation was justified. Unfortunately, this did not materialise, and the season started with a defeat for the Rhondda Bulldogs.
With 5 players making their League debut for Ton, it was a nervous start, ENTO were having the better of the opening encounter. However, 10 minutes into the game the Ton side started to settle and play some good football. In the 12th minute a Ton move down the left found Alyn Jones, he put over a deep cross and Ton’s Raith Plant headed the ball just under the cross bar. However, Collins in the Aberaman goal got a hand to it and turned it over for a corner. This was a great move with an equally good save.
This spurred Ton into life, and they created a couple of good chances to go ahead, which, frustratingly they wasted.
The visitors were trying to hit Ton on the break, playing through balls behind the Ton defence. Then in the 30th minute Aberaman had their breakthrough. A through ball from Powell beat the offside trap and Hewings was one on one with Cropley the Ton Keeper, Hewings got around Cropley’s despairing dive and slotted the ball home.
The Merlin Sports sponsored Bulldogs tried hard to get the equaliser, but with 2 minutes to go before half-time Aberaman got their second. Jago shot low from the left side of the penalty area, Cropley spilled the shot, and the loose ball struck Ton defender Hayward who deflected it into his own goal. 2-0 half time.
The second period started with Ton taking the game to Aberaman. They dominated the half, with the Ton midfield outplaying the Aberaman side. However, resolute defending by the visitors, and Ton's inability to use the final ball decisively kept the score 2-0. The visitor’s keeper pulled off another 2 superb saves in the second half. Ton piled on the pressure throughout but could not get a goal.
Aberaman were still hitting Ton on the break and near the end, Williams made a great run and forced Cropley to palm the ball wide for a corner.
The game ended 2-0 it was a bad result for Ton. Having had the majority of the play and creating more chances than the opposition. They deserved something out of the game. However, it was a throwback to last season. Ton have to finish their chances and not allow the opposition easy openings. There is not a great deal wrong with the side that confidence would not help, if they get a few wins and goals the confidence will return.
Ton Pentre: Cropley, Docherty (Harding), Phil Clarke, Seburn, Allen (Orchard), Hayward, Shugar, Plant, Blatchford (Rees), Dale Price, Alyn Jones. Subs: Tony Rees, Kerry Harding, Kristian Orchard.
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