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Llanwern 3 - 0 Ton Pentre
FAW Challenge Cup First Round
Saturday 12th September 2008
Ton Pentre were hurled out of the FAW Welsh Cup by Gwent outfit Llanwern in the first round of this prestigious competition for what was the shock of the round.
Llanwern play their football in Welsh League Division Two and like Ton Pentre were unbeaten so far this season going into the tie.
From as early as the fourth minute it didn’t look like it was going to be Ton’s day when Ryan Shugar was given his marching orders by Referee Mark Whitby, after he had aggressively eyeballed Steve Stinton following a late vicious tackle on him.
Whitby viewed his actions as violent conduct and showed the Ton midfielder a straight red card while Stinton surprisingly escaped with just a yellow card despite his shocking tackle on Shugar. Llanwern’s Carl Baugh was also lucky to stay on the pitch when the defender ran from the 18-yard box to the halfway line to get involved in the ensuing melee and even though he was guilty of the same action that Shugar had been sent off for he was only yellow carded.
Although a man down, the Rhondda Bulldogs were still able to create chances and their best of the match came in the 18th minute when Baugh hit a loose back pass to his goalkeeper. Alyn Jones ran onto it and squared the ball to Chris Jones. From six yards out Chris Jones looked certain to score but Llanwern’s Mike Aviss managed to put pressure on him and goalkeeper James Cairns just managed to stop the ball from crossing the goal line.
Ton were soon made to pay for this missed chance as three minutes later play had reached the edge of the Ton box where Marcus Power crossed into the area from left. Ton’s marking in defence was slack allowing Mike Vaux to head in for 1-0.
With ten minutes remaining before half time the Bulldogs forced a corner. Wharton connected with Alyn Jones’ ball into the box, but saw his header cleared from under the bar by a well positioned Llanwern defender.
A few minutes later good play up the left saw Chris Jones start a move that resulted with Steve Edwards sending a sweet cross into Alyn Jones’ run. Jones had a shot at goal but he directed it too high and it went over the cross bar.
It didn’t take long in the second half before Ton began to make changes with winger Adam Lewis making way for forward Andrew Pearson and Andrew Hughes replaced holding midfielder Ryan Morgan.
With just over an hour played Llanwern came close to putting the game beyond Ton when a ball from the right landed at Kris Hanbury’s feet. Had he controlled the ball better the player would of had a free shot on target. He scuffed his effort and the Rhondda Bulldogs counter attacked.
Pearson set off on a wonderful run that took him from the centre circle to the 18-yard box. As he cut inside he unleashed a goal bound effort that looked likely to pull Ton level. However, the ball failed to dip enough and it cannoned back off the cross bar.
Llanwern were well on their way to causing a big first round upset when in the 67th minute they were awarded a penalty when Mark Crutch tripped Hanbury when the striker had got past him in the Ton box. The Ton Captain was lucky not to see red and Hanbury netted from the penalty spot.
In reply Ton substituted Edwards for defender Richard Stevens who they sent upfront, but he soon had to take up a position between the goalposts when Keiron Blackburn was sent off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity on 72 minutes.
Hanbury again stepped up to take the penalty and sent the ball straight down the middle as Stevens moved to his right.
This goal completely flattened Ton and the Rhondda Bulldogs were lucky not to concede further goals.
With their Welsh Cup dreams completely dashed Ton Pentre must now wait until Saturday 27th September before they play again when they host Caldicot Town for a 2.30pm kick off in a league match.
Ton are without a fixture on Saturday 20th September having received a bye in the 1st round of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup.
Former Wales international, Mickey Thomas, is appearing at Ton Pentre AFC Social Club on Friday 10th October 2008. Following a four course dinner, Mickey will be talking about his time with Premiership giants Manchester United and Chelsea and he’ll also be taking questions from the floor. In addition to Mickey’s after dinner speech, he’ll be auctioning a framed Man Utd shirt signed by the current squad. Tickets cost £30 and are selling fast. For more information/tickets please contact Darren Jones on 07775 558548 or email .
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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