Ton Pentre 0 - 2 Bridgend Town
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Tuesday 20th January 2009
Ton Pentre suffered their second successive 2-0 defeat within a week as title challengers Bridgend Town left Ynys Park with all three points.
Once again there was nothing wrong with the Rhondda Bulldogs performance as they played very well, however, they are currently finding goals hard to come by and their opponents are making sure that they convert their chances.
Ton found themselves 1-0 down after just six minutes. The ball was sent into the box from a Bridgend corner kick but it was met by a Ton player who could only head it back from where it came.
Bridgend were more successful with their second cross into the box as former Bulldog Raith Plant was left unmarked on the edge of the six-yard area. Plant made no mistake with his header as he sent the ball into the back of the net.
The Rhondda Bulldogs responded well and were probably the more dominant force for the rest of the first half.
Strikers Alyn Jones and Chris Jones were linking well and in the 13th minute they helped to carve open a fantastic chance for a goal. The players intelligently played a one-two movement to bypass the Bridgend defence. On receiving the return ball Chris Jones cut a great cross across the goalmouth but but Shane Brewer was unable to make a connection at the far post.
Steve Edwards was having a lot of joy up the right flank and his intricate skill created an opening in the defence which gave him space for a shot. He got a decent amount of power behind his effort but Brendan Cropley was able to make a comfortable save at nice height.
As half time approached Ton were still creating chances as a Shane Brewer back heel tricked the defence and played Alyn Jones in on goal. He correctly took an early shot across goal but saw his attempt go wide of the right post.
Ton continued to look for an equaliser in the second half but things didn’t quite go their way.
On one occasion Alyn Jones was almost clean through on goal but a tug on his shirt by a defender was not spotted by the officials allowing the said defender to steal the ball from Jones’ possession.
Later in the half the Bulldogs had a credible penalty appeal turned down after a goal bound effort from the edge of the box never reached its intended destination due to a defenders dive and outstretched arm in the penalty area.
With such a decision not going their way it was never going to be Ton’s day and with their second clear chance of the game Bridgend put the game beyond the Ynys Park club.
Poor marking at another corner kick allowed Brian Showdery, on loan from Welsh Premier club Neath, to head in Bridgend’s second goal of the evening.
With only four minutes of the match remaining Ton were never going to get back into this fixture and must now look to get all three points when they visit Cwmbran Town on Saturday 24th January for a 2pm kick off.
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
