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Ton Pentre gave a 6 star performance by sweeping aside Taffs Well at a rain swept Ynys Park. It was a miserable return for former Ton keeper Jon Howe who had to pick the ball out of the net 6 times. The Merlin Sports sponsored Rhondda Bulldogs controlled the game from virtually the start to the final whistle. With goals from 4 different players, it is a terrific start to the season and is major change from the second half of last season. This win has taken the “Bulldogs” up to second place in the league on goal difference.
Manager Richards kept faith with the side from the last game at that won at Caerleon. It was a quiet start to the game, with neither side creating anything in the opening exchanges, although Ton were looking the more accomplished team and were trying to pass the ball on a very quick surface.
The scoring started in the 10th minute when Alyn Jones got on the end of a through ball, he took the ball towards Howe in the Taffs Well goal, Jones was able to take the ball around the despairing Howe and side foot the ball into the net. The goal was what was needed, this settled the home side and from this point they controlled the game.
The visitors were put under pressure and on half way through the 1st half, Ton striker Tony Rees went close heading just over . The home side’s midfield kept the tempo of the game high and played good football considering the wet conditions. Chances were being created and in the 34th minute a cross from Dale Price found Rees who volleyed over. With 2 minutes to go before the half time break Ton doubled their lead. When a free kick was taken by Price wide on the left just inside the touchline, his sweeping low cross was placed into the danger area, where Ton captain Andrew Seburn got in front of a flat footed defence to score with a diving header. A well worked traing ground move. The half ended with Ton going in with 2-0.
- Photo: Andrew Seburn scores Ton's second goal against Taffs Well
Gus Properties sponsored Ton Pentre started the second half as they had ended the first, passing the ball around the Taffs Well team. The 3rd goal was scored by Price in the 52nd, when a through ball by Shugars beat the Taffs We;; defence, the Taffs Well keeper ran out to clear, Price beat him to the ball and passed the ball into the net. Shortly after this Seburn was replaced by Lee Mathews.
Ton were now a team brimming with confidence and kept attacking, it took 10 more minutes to get the 4th. A quick free kick was taken on the Ton right, Shugars got in behind the visitors and put a deep cross into the back post, where Rees was able to head home, this was Rees’ 1st goal for Ton, probably the first of many.
Ton used their last two substitutes in the 64th minute when Orchard and Blatchford replaced Clarke and Rees. 2 minutes later substitute Orchard made it 5-0. A long cross from Price was dropped by Howe; Orchard was able to poke the ball into the net from 3 yards.
Ton were not happy with their 5 goal lead and continued to push forward looking for more goals and with 3 minutes to go they got their 6th. It was created by some clever interplay, when Orchard passed to Jones, he in turn found Price running at the visitors defence, Price looked up and fired the ball low inside the post to the dismay of the Taffs Well defence to score his second of the game.
- Photo: Rob Blatchford (blue shirt) heading on from a throw in
This was another solid performance by an ever improving Ton team, the conditions were very wet and suited the Ton quick tempo pass and move game. If they continue to improve in this way, the Merlin Legea aponsored “Bulldogs” should have a good season.
Ton now take two weeks off from the league with two cup games. Next Saturday, 9th September, the Bulldogs play Llangeinor away, and on the 16th they are at home to Merthyr Saints in the Welsh Cup. Both games kick-off at 2.30pm.
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Phil Clarke (Orchard); 4. Scott Hayward; 5. Gareth Picknell; 6. Andrew Seburn 1 (Lee Mathews); 7. Ryan Shugar; 8. Steve Conaty; 9. Tony Rees 1 (Blatchford); 10. Dale Price 2; 11. Alyn Jones 1 Subs: 12. Rob Blatchford; 14. Lee Mathews; 15. Kristian Orchard 1
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