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The long awaited clash between Ton Pentre and Pontypridd Town ended with honors even. Ponty’s biggest crowd of the season watched the 3rd and 2nd placed sides in the league show how good the standard is in RCT. Ponty introduced their dual signed players to strengthen their team, the Rhondda Bulldogs sponsored by Merlin Sports of Pontypridd used their squad players. The game was played at high tempo and both sides looked for the win. Every ball was contested and former Ton captain Andrew Hughes was lucky not to be booked for a two footed lunge early in the first half.
The 1st half was a fast and entertaining game. With Ponty’s Chris Summer gong close on a number of occasions, and former Bulldogs player Morris also going close. With the dependable Ellacott making 1 superb save to keep Ponty out.
Ton had their moments and during the half Ton's strikers Jones and Jenkins went close in the 36th minute Poole in the Ponty goal had a fright when Ton's Ryan Shugar hit a superb shot from the right touchline and rattled the crossbar.
Just after the break Jamie Michael of Ton was shown the yellow card for a tackle on Hughes. The second half continued as the first as the first and in the 51st minute Summers missed an easy chance.
A few minutes later Ton put the ball into the net after Poole in the Ponty goal spilled Michael’s free kick and former Ponty player Ryan Jenkins slotted home, he then did his customary celebration only to find out the “goal” was disallowed for offside.
In the 80th minute, Michael’s received his second yellow card for a needless trip on Street and he off. At this point the game was quite even, however Ton going down to 10 gave Ponty a lift. And they put the Bulldogs under pressure for the remainder of the game. Ponty did get the ball passed Ellacott in the Ton goal, this was also disallowed for a handball. The resolute Ton team were good enough to keep Ponty out and get the point
The game ended scoreless, with Ton the happier of the two sides, Ponty wanted the 3 points to go top of the league and having drafted in dual signings it was the 3 points they required. Credit to the Ton squad who showed they can compete at the top of the league.
Next Saturday 3rd February Ton travel to Port Talbot for the 4th round of the Welsh Challenge Cup, 2:30 kick off.
Match report by Gary Matuszczyk
Ton Pentre: 1. Marty Ellacott; 2. Mark Crutch; 3. Phil Clarke; 4. Paul Evans; 5. Scott Hayward; 6. Lee Mathews; 7. Ryan Shugars; 8. Jamie Michael; 9. Ryan Jenkins; 10. Dale Price; 11. Alyn Jones.
Subs: 12. Dwayne Mardenborough; 14. Kristian Orchard; 15. Steve Conaty.
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