Any hopes Croesyceiliog may have had in causing an upset at Ynys Park in their bid for Welsh League Division One survival were quickly dashed by Ton Pentre as Ian Jones fired the Rhondda Bulldogs into a seventh minute lead.
When Croesyceiliog failed to clear the ball to safety it allowed Steve Edwards room to shoot. He took his chance well and hit the ball over John Bailey but it rebounded off the crossbar. Luckily for the Bulldogs the ball landed at Ian Jones’ feet who showed composure to finish coolly.
Croesyceiliog nearly pulled themselves level in the 15th minute when a cross into the Ton box from the left found Jodie Jenkins. He directed a header at goal but the effort hit the bar.
Ton added security to their lead when they scored a second goal in the 38th minute. The goal was the result of a well worked counter attack after Ton stole possession from Croesyceiliog.
Ian Jones used his pace to run through the visitors defence and unselfishly square a pass to Chris Jones on the edge of the six-yard box for the striker to bag his 10th goal of the season.
It almost got better for Ton just before half time when Phil Clarke beat the Croesyceiliog offside trap to get into the box and shoot. Unfortunately, Clarke saw what looked like a goal bound effort cannon back off the left hand post.
Clarke was involved in setting up Ton’s third goal early in the second half when he passed inside to Chris Jones who provided a well executed through ball for Ian Jones to run onto. He struck into the net from inside the 18-yard box.
In the 64th minute Alyn Jones was hacked down by an opponent out wide on the left. The Referee awarded Ton a free kick and Jones received treatment. As he picked himself up off the floor he let his opponent know exactly what he thought of the challenge and as a result was red carded by Gareth Ayres for his verbal reaction.
With Ton now down to 10-men the free kick was sent forward into the Croesyceiliog box where Ryan Morgan headed the ball past Bailey to give the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead.
In response to the sending off Chris Jones made way for Scott Cook to come off the substitutes bench and take up a midfield position.
From a 75th minute corner kick Croesyceiliog pulled a goal back through Richard Perry when he was allowed to head in past Richard Jeffries from a central position within the box.
With four minutes remaining there were still three goals to be scored and a red card to be handed out in this match.
Ian Jones came close to scoring his hat trick in the 86th minute but his shot was well saved by Bailey, who was unable to hold onto the ball. However, Scott Cook was in the right place to fire in his first Ton Pentre goal to make it 5-1.
Following the goal visiting defender Jamie Jenkins kicked the ball away in frustration resulting in a second yellow card for which he was given his marching orders. The sending off was a shame as Jenkins had a good game despite the score line.
Ton scored their sixth goal in the 89th minute when Shane Brewer’s shot bounced back off the cross bar for Ian Jones to score a deserved third goal and draw level with Chris Jones at the top of the Ton goalscorers chart with 10 goals.
Croesyceiliog finished the match off with their second goal of the game when Ton failed to defend effectively from a cross on the left. Mike Farr was on the end of that cross to score Croesyceiliog’s second consolation goal.
Ton’s next match is the Rhondda Valleys derby clash with Cambrian & Clydach Vale at Ynys Park on Wednesday 18th March at 7.30pm. Following that Ton play home again on Saturday 21st March when relegation candidates Newport YMCA travel to the Rhondda for a 2.30pm kick off.
Wales Internationals visit Ton Pentre
Former Welsh internationals from the world of football and rugby will be appearing at Ton Pentre AFC Social Club on Friday 27th March 2009. The sports dinner features radio and television pundits, Leighton James and Brynmor Williams, who’ll be talking about their time playing at the highest level and taking questions from the floor. The event is kindly sponsored by Alun Jones Family Law Solicitors (www.ajonesfamilylaw.com).
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
