TON PENTRE opened up a five point gap at the top of the Motaquote Welsh League Division One with a terrific win over title rivals Grange Harlequins. The Cardiff based team are chasing promotion to the Welsh Premier League and need to finish in the top two but are now laying eight points behind the Rhondda Bulldogs in third.

The Quins had several opportunities to get on the score sheet during the first half but the Rhondda Bulldogs defended with determination. Neil Davies, as always, was astounding as he made several crucial tackles in the goal area to keep Ton’s heads above water.

During the opening ten minutes the visitors knocked the ball around with fluidity and when the ball was sent into the Ton box the home side were lucky to escape when Daniel Kinsey struck over the crossbar.

Gareth Elliott came even closer when, from a corner, he headed against the bar for Grange Quins.

Quins striker Mattie Davies should have done better with his chance soon after but hit the ball directly at Jon Howe. The Ton keeper was unable to hold onto the shot but club captain Andrew Hughes applied the clearance up field.

Ton Pentre started to create more chances in the latter stages of the first half when Dale Price took a player on to cross into the Quins box. Carl Thomas got himself on the end of it but headed just wide of Neil Tucker’s goal.

In the 41st minute the crowd at Ynys Park witnessed an awe-inspiring goal. When a Grange Quins defender missed the clearance the ball sat up nicely for Hughes to hit. The Ton captain made perfect contact with the ball 30 yards from goal and torpedoed it high into the net. Tucker didn’t move as he had absolutely no chance of saving it.

As if a half time 1-0 lead wasn’t enough the Bulldogs scored a second goal in the 57th minute. Thomas was released with a through pass and beat the offside trap to get into the box. With complete composure he neatly finished off a fine move with Ton’s second goal.

Thomas was having a great game and could have doubled his tally four minutes later when he broke free with a fantastic turn that confused the defence. However, he was upended on the edge of the penalty area and sent his free kick centimetres over the top of the goal.

Ton Pentre were forced to sweat out the final five minutes of the match when a penalty was awarded to Grange Quins after Davies was brought down in the box by Howe. Darren Ryan scored from the spot but it wasn’t enough as Ton stayed concentrated on their task.

The three points won by Ton puts them in the driving seat for the Welsh League Division One title but the management team of Kevin Richards and Scott Young will make sure that complacency does not set in.

The Rhondda Bulldogs will now prepare themselves for their next match at Dinas Powys on Saturday 12 March at 3pm. Dinas Powys were victorious over AFC Llwydcoed on the weekend when they beat the title chasers 1-0 and so may provide a tough proposition for the Bulldogs on their visit.

Ton Pentre Match Facts:

Line Up:

1. Jon HOWE
2. Lyndon WILLIAMS
3. Neil DAVIES
4. Ian DAVIES
5. Kristian ORCHARD
6. Andrew HUGHES (Capt)
7. Scott YOUNG
8. Andrew SEBURN
9. Dwayne MARDENBOROUGH
10. Carl THOMAS
11. Dale PRICE

Substitutes

12. Lee TAPPER
14. Alyn JONES on for Lyndon Williams, 78 mins
15. Scott HAYWARD

Goals: Andrew Hughes, 41 mins; Carl Thomas, 57 mins.

Booked: Andrew Seburn, 25 mins; Scott Young, 49 mins; Lyndon Williams, 53 mins; Dale Price, 82 mins.

Match report by Rob Dowling