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Ton Pentre entertained Grange Quins in a pulsating game with a final half hour that had the Ton fans on their feet with excitement. And it was worth waiting for.
There was one change in the line up from the winning formula at UWIC in the last game, with Steve Connoughty making his debut for Ton. The first half was a continuation of Tonís season so far, with many missed chances and domination of the possession. Grange were hitting the Bulldogs on the break. In the first half hour opportunities fell to Alyn Jones, Tony Rees and Dale Price. And with any luck the home side could have been 3 up. The Bulldogs went close on two further occasions when Grange scrambled the ball off their line; the home sides luck had deserted them.
Grange were happy to hit the long ball over the midfield, however the Ton defence were dealing with the aerial attack very well, it was the quick ball in behind the defence that was causing the problems. Although Ton were gaining corners and free kicks throughout the half they were being wasted.
Just after the half hour there were two bad misses by the Ton strikers, Jones and Rees. Although chances were being missed the positive aspect was they were being created.
5 minutes before half time Merlin Sports sponsored Rhondda Bulldogs were bitten by Grange. The home team gave a free kick away 25 yards out, in the centre of the goal, the ball was passed to the side to Saad Essa, who hit an unstoppable shot passed Marty Ellacott who had no chance. This gave the visitors a 1-0 lead against the run of play.
The half ended with Ton trying to get the equaliser and 1 down.
The second half continued with Ton pushing the Quins deeper into their own half without any success.
With the Bulldogs needing a lift, super sub Rob Blatchford was introduced on the hour. He immediately made an impact, he closed down the Grange defence and forced a corner from a nothing situation. The corner resulted in the Ton equaliser. Price hit across into the 6 yard box, Grange for once could not clear, the ball fell to Tonís Scott Hayward who poked the ball home from close range. This gave the home side the lift they needed!
Following the goal the confidence in the Ton side grew and 1 minute later, Ton took the lead. Price got the ball to Crutch who helped the ball to Alyn Jones, he took the ball on and scored a well taken 2nd goal for Ton and Jonesí second of the season.
Ton piled on the pressure and Grange were struggling to get the bal. Grange were now struggling at the back having lost their captain Atif Bashir. In the 72nd minute Dale Price forced a good save from the Quins keeper. Then in the 78th Ton increased their lead when Blatchford picked up the ball about 30 yards out, he took the ball forward saw a gap and hit a wonderful strike into the back of the net.
Ton used their two substitutes with Raith Plant and Lee Mathews replacing Phil Allen and Tony Rees. With the Quins now being stretched having to chase a game they thought they had control of, a through ball to Blatchford from Jones which beat the offside trap, the big 5 of Grange did not have the pace to get in front of the Ton subí, in desperation to get to the ball he pulled Blatchford down, . Referee Eddie King did not hesitate and sent him off.
With 3 minutes of the 90 remaining Ton had a free kick to the right of the penalty area, Dale Price sent a low shot goal wards, the keeper could not hold it and he spilled it just to his right. Tonís Lee Mathews was the first to react and before the keeper recover the ball, Mathews had poked the ball into the net. The final whistle came with a 4-1 win for Ton Pentre.
Ton once again came back from a 1-0 deficit after having chances to go ahead before their opponents had scored, how often can they do this? The Bulldogs have to have to finish their chances, against better sides they may not be able to recover! For the neutral it was a great game to watch, for the Ton faithful it was a great last half hour, and frustrating first 60 minutes .The win now takes Ton onto 6 points after their 1st, 3 games.
Tonís next gameís are away at Caerleon on Saturday the 26th, and Saturday the 2nd September at home against Taffs Well, both 2:30 kick off.
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Scott Hayward (1); 5. Phil Allen (Lee Mathews); 6. Andrew Seburn; 7. Ryan Shugar (Rob Blatchford); 8. Steve Connoughty; 9. Tony Rees (Raith Plant); 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones (1). Subs: 12. Raith Plant; 14. Lee Mathews (1); 15. Rob Blatchford (1)
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