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CAMBRIAN & CLYDACH VALE 1 - 1 TON PENTRE
MacWhirter Youth League
Wednesday 9th April 2008
This was an open and entertaining match between two teams that were looking to play attractive football.
Both Ton Pentre and Cambrian & Clydach Vale spread the ball around for some wonderful build up play as the two teams exemplified the high standards on offer in the Welsh Football League Youth Division.
Early exchanges between the two clubs were evenly shared out but it was the home team who took the lead on 18 minutes. As the ball was crossed into the box the Ton Pentre defence failed to clear and this allowed a Cambrian striker to place the ball in the back of the net.
As a result Ton Pentre were quick to go in search of an equaliser that nearly materialised in the 22nd minute of play. Leon Jacka timed his run through the defence to perfection as he stayed onside to connect with a long pass from midfield. From his wide right position he cut in field to send a lovely ball across the box.
Daniel Rowe was jostling for space in the penalty area with a Cambrian defender as the ball came in and just as it looked likely that the Ton striker would reach it first to smash it home, the defender stretched his leg out and diverted it away from imminent danger.
With the Rhondda Bulldogs 1-0 down at half time they came out for the second period with a glint of determination.
Within two minutes of the restart, Cambrian were reduced to 10 men when their bustling centre forward was dismissed for violent conduct after he kicked out at Ton’s Nathan Crosby following the midfielder’s challenge.
Ton were quick to apply pressure and make the extra man count and they equalised on 52 minutes.
Jacka was once again set free down the right and his dribbling run took him inside the box where he cut the ball back to Rowe whose strike ended up over the line despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts after making good contact with the ball.
Despite being a man down Cambrian refused to sit back and continued to take the game to the Bulldogs.
On the hour Ton Pentre goalkeeper Ryan Betteney was forced into making a diving save to his right to beat a useful looking shot away.
The Bulldogs ended the match the strongest with several excellent chances to grab a winner.
Jacka saw his goal bound shot from inside the box hit one of his team mates on its way into the net and a last minute free kick on the edge of the box crashed against the crossbar from Crosby’s lovely effort.
© Ton Pentre AFC Media
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