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Afan Lido’s 16 match unbeaten run came to an end at Ynys Park. The Rhondda Bulldogs sponsored by Merlin Sports of Pontypridd came from behind to get the 3 points. Dwayne Mardenborough changed the game when he entered the field with half hour to go!
It was Afan Lido who took the initiative at the start and played the better football taking the game to Ton. After 5 minutes a defensive mix up at the back allowed the ball to get to “Lido’s” Chris Latham who took his chance which took the visitors into an early lead.
The half continued with “Lido” having the better of the game, they were able to keep pressure on the Bulldogs for long periods with out extending their lead. Marty Ellacott the Ton keeper and captain kept his side in the game! He made a fantastic double save to deny the visitors, Ellacott again proving that he is an outstanding keeper. With only half an hour played Ton had to make an enforced change, Kristian Orchard was replaced by Scott Hayward, Orchard suffering a back injury.
For the remainder of the half the Ton side were guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply. When the referee blew for half time a relieved Ton Pentre went off only 1 goal behind.
At half time the bulldogs made a change, when Phil Clarke replaced hard working Lee Mathews. This enabled Ton to take a number of positional changes within the team. From the restart it was a “new” Ton Pentre, they dominated the game and the pressure they exerted forced “Lido” to defend very deeply, which was a concern for Thomas in the “Lido” goal. As the game continued “Lido” started to tire, their chasing and harrying was taking it’s toll.
Then on the change that turned the game around! On the hour Dwayne Mardenborough replaced Jamie Michaels. Mardenborough’s physical presence was enough to unsettle the assured Afan Lido defence. With Price, Conaty and Shugar now dominating the midfield, Ton were playing all the football,
Lido were still hitting Ton on the break and were trying for the all elusive second goal, however, the home side were able to snuff out the attacks.
With 67 minutes gone the best move of the match gave Ton their breakthrough a superb cross field ball from Price found Alyn Jones, he beat the “Lido” defence and got to the goal line, Jones put in a low cross where Mardenborough was there to head home at the near post. Mardenborough celebrated in his inimitable way with a triple somersault.
This lifted the Ton and the crowd and the Bulldogs continued to force “Lido” back. The home side were now dominating every aspect of the game. Then with 9 minutes to go Ton had a corner, the ball was played into the penalty area, Mardenborough flicked the ball on, the alert Ryan Jenkins who was making his home debut headed the ball home to make it 2-1. Not to be outdone his celebration matched that of Mardenborough.
Following this Jenkins had another good chance when he had a 1on1 with the Thomas in the “Lido” goal, he tried to get the ball around Thomas, however the keeper was able to make himself “big” and the ball deflected off him. With time running out “Lido” tried to get an equaliser, however Ton were able to maintain their lead and get the win.
This was another terrific second half performance by the Merlin sponsored outfit and over the 90 minutes deserved the 3 points. This win didn’t improve Ton’s league position they remained in 3rd place, however they are now only 3 points behind with a game in hand over leaders Neath. Manager Kevin Richards and his assistant Brian Gibson are “delighted” with the way the team has gelled this season, and are happy to be near the top at Christmas.
Everyone at Ynys Park would like to wish all their supporters and sponsors a Very Happy Christmas.
Ton’s next game is on the 30th December at home to Pontardawe, 2:00 kick off.
Match report by Gary Matuszczyk
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Kristian Orchard (Scott Hayward 30th); 4. Ryan Shugars; 5. Gareth Picknell; 6. Lee Mathews (Phil Clarke 45th); 7. Jamie Michaels (Mardenborough 60th); 8. Steve Conaty; 9. Ryan Jenkins (1); 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones.
Subs: 12. Phil Clarke; 14. Scott Hayward; 15. Dwayne Mardenborough (1)
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