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The Rhondda Bulldogs sponsored by Merlin Sports of Pontypridd came away from lowly Grange Quins with the 3 points. The conditions were not conducive to good football with a swirling wind and very bumpy surface. However, the young Quins made life difficult for the Bulldogs throughout the game.
The first half had no flow to the game, with neither side able to pass the ball and take control of the game. The Quins chased and made it uncomfortable for the Ton side all round the pitch. In the first half hour Alyn Jones was in on goal and fired high and wide, Ryan Shugars also came close when his shot went just over the bar. Grange also had a few half chances without testing Ellacott in the Ton goal.
The half finished with the game scoreless and without either keeper having a decent shot to save. At half time the talk was of how poor the game had been. However, one supporter had some after eight mints left from Christmas and passed them around, this helped to cheer the fanís up.
Grange started the better in the second half without again making Ellacott ďworkĒ. Tonís Ryan Jenkins went close in the 55th minute this time the keeper had to make the save. The Bulldogs made their 1st change on the 57th minute when Dwayne Mardenborough replaced Steve Conaty. Mardenborough was sent straight up front to add strength to the attack.
On the hour came the 1st goal, when Grange were awarded a penalty. Grange made a quick break and Nathan White broke into the area and was brought down. Oman took the spot kick, he sent his shot to the left and Ellacott was beaten. This lifted Ton and finally some urgency came to their play that had been missing. Within 3 minutes of going down, they forced 4 corners.
Jamie Michaels replaced Alyn Jones in the 65th minute, the midfield and forwards were now finally exerting pressure on the Grange backline. This pressure resulted in a free kick for Ton on the right 20 yards from the goal line and 10 yards in field, Shugars put in a superb cross into the far post on the 6 yard line where Mark Crutch had made a late run and was not picked up by the Grange defence. Crutch got his head to ball to put it into the net and gave the Bulldogs the equaliser.
Ton made their 3rd change with 13 minutes to go when Ryan Jenkins was replaced by Kristian Orchard. Orchard went up front with Mardenborough. They both were now giving the Grange defenders a hard time chasing and holding the ball up, within 2 minutes of his introduction Orchard went close. Although Quins were still looking dangerous on the break. Ton kept pushing for the winner and it came in the 89th minute when Mardenborough scored a very strange goal, the ball was cleared from a corner and Tonís Price sent the ball back into the penalty area. Mardenborough tried an overhead kick, which he mis-judged the ball went over his head and into the net, no one seems to know how? Mardenborough did his usual triple somersault celebration. He deserved the goal for his endeavour and hard work, he has entered the game late a number of times this season and changed the course of events.
With only a few minutes to go the Quins threw players forward looking for the equaliser. However it was not to be Ton defended the lead and came away with the 3 points. The Grange side were disappointed at dropping the points and deserved better, however as we know in sport when you are struggling things go against you, as Ton know only too well from their experiences last season, This Quins side look as though they can get out of the relegation zone!
Match report by Gary Matuszczyk
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch (1); 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Paul Evans; 5. Gareth Picknell; 6. Jamie Bradford; 7. Ryan Shugars; 8. Steve Conaty (67thMardenborough); 9. Ryan Jenkins ( 77th Orchard); 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones (65th Michaels)
Subs: 12. Jamie Michaels; 14. Dwayne Mardenborough (1); 15. Kristian Orchard
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