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CAMBRIAN & CLYDACH 0 - 1 TON PENTRE
MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One
Saturday 12th April 2008
Ton Pentre completed a Rhondda derby double over valley rivals Cambrian and Clydach Vale as Mike Jones’s second half goal was enough to seal victory for the Bulldogs.
In February Ton Pentre were 3-0 winners over Cambrian in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, and the home team were looking for revenge in this feisty encounter.
The Rhondda Bulldogs however, always looked stronger and more capable than their hosts but despite having the better chances in this match the outcome remained difficult to predict.
Ton, sponsored by Gus Properties Ltd, were quick to create opportunities in this game and within the first 10 minutes the Bulldogs could have been a goal to the good. Cambrian were put under considerable pressure from a Ton free kick and after denying several good efforts the home team finally managed to put the ball out for a corner.
After the ball had been swung into the box from the corner, Mark Crutch connected with it on the edge of the area. His strike forced Cambrian goalkeeper Jarred Howells into tipping the ball onto the crossbar to deny the goal.
Midway through the first half Jonathan Kift’s hard work started an excellent move up the left. The striker provided a cross into the box that was met by Dale Price who had made a forward run through the middle of the pitch to get himself into a goal scoring position. From just inside the box Price unleashed a shot that painstakingly crept over the bar.
After receiving a pass from Price, Mattie Davies was able to use his experience and skill to open up space to shoot from the edge of the Cambrian penalty area. His well hit effort was just off target as Cambrian survived yet another scare.
Moments before half time Davies was fouled approximately 25 yards out from goal. Price stepped up to take the resulting free kick and with his direct effort he tested the keeper well, who managed to get across his goal quick enough to deny the midfield dynamo.
Early in the second half Cambrian were presented with their best chance of the match when a rare attack put the Bulldogs defence on the back foot. The central defence trio of Scott Hayward, Mark Crutch and Mike Jones recovered well to deny several Cambrian shots before they struck wide of Marty Ellacott’s right-hand post.
Following this Ton increased the tempo and were looking more and more likely to break the deadlock. On 56 minutes Nicky Jones sent a well pitched cross into the box from the left and Mike Jones hit his connecting effort onto the crossbar.
Five minutes later Mike Jones was presented with another chance and on this occasion he did not squander it.
The goal was created from a lovely Dale Price corner that the Cambrian defence failed to deal with as it flashed across the six-yard box. Mike Jones was standing at the far post and he prodded into the net from close range whilst surrounded by opposition players.
After scoring the goal Ton always looked reasonably comfortable and they nearly sealed the win in the 89th minute when from nothing Price conjured up a wonderful lobbed effort that beat goalkeeper Howells but struck the right post. The effort deserved to have ended up in the back of the net for what surely would have been goal of the season for the Bulldogs.
Ton did have an anxious few moments at the end of the match when they were made to battle for the win by their opponents, but after eight minutes of injury time the Referee blew his whistle for the end of the match.
This 1-0 win keeps Ton Pentre top of MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One at least until they travel to Dinas Powys on Wednesday 16th April 2008 for a must win match that kicks off at 6.30pm.
The Bulldogs then play their final home match of the season the following Saturday (19th April 2008) with Taffs Well the visitors to Ynys Park. The match kicks off at 2.30pm.
Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Scott Hayward; 3.Nicky Jones; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Mike Jones (Captain); 6.Dale Price; 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Ryan Shugar; 9.Mattie Davies (17.Richard Carter 86); 10.Jonathan Kift (14.Dane Williams 77); 11.Alyn Jones.
Subs not used: 12.Ryan Morgan & 15.Scott Jones.
Goal: M.Jones 61
Booked: Price 3; N.Jones 14; M.Jones 26
© Match report by Ton Pentre AFC Press
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