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Ton Pentre’s woes continued at Ynys Park as they went down by four first half goals to fellow relegation battlers Bridgend Town. The Rhondda Bulldogs goalkeeper crisis has been well documented in the press and for this encounter winger Fraser Williams offered to go between the posts.
Five teams will be relegated from Welsh League Division One this season and a sixth could go if Afan Lido fail to win promotion to Welsh Premier League and Llangefni Town gain promotion from the Cymru Alliance League in North Wales. This would mean that Haverfordwest County would be relegated from the Welsh Premier to the Welsh League. Both Afan Lido and Llangefni are currently appealing against the decision of an independent panel not to award them a FAW Domestic Club Licence, which is a prerequisite for promotion. If successful in their appeals Llangefni would be promoted as Cymru Alliance champions and Afan Lido would require a top two finish in the Welsh League.
The Rhondda Bulldogs started the match against Bridgend Town quite well but their hopes were dashed as early as the 7th minute when the visitors scored with their first chance. Adam Lewis was caught in possession and this allowed the Bridgend attacker a route into the box where he took full advantage of Fraser Williams’ inexperience in the goalkeeper position.
Rameer Outlaw added a second for Bridgend on 22 minutes when he finished off a lovely attacking movement that opened up the Bulldogs defence.
Bridgend Town made it 3-0 after 35 minutes when Phil Clarke was put under pressure deep inside his own half. Having failed to put the ball out of play Bridgend were able to snatch possession and score from inside the box. Two minutes later the match was well and truly put beyond the Bulldogs when Bridgend scored a fourth.
In the second half Ton Pentre introduced Caio Iwan and Andrew Hughes into the match and the Bulldogs instantly looked sharper and started to create a few chances. Iwan ran clear of the Bridgend defence in the 67th minute and when he chipped the ball over goalkeeper Neil Collins he was unfortunate to see his effort drop wide of the post.
This defeat saw Bridgend Town leapfrog Ton in the league as the Bulldogs drop to sixth from bottom.
Ton’s final match of the season is on Monday, 17th May when they play Pontardawe Town at Afan Lido’s Marston’s Stadium. Kick off for the game is at 7pm. A victory for the Bulldogs would ensure safety, however, if Ton lose and Cardiff Corinthians win their match against Aberaman Athletic on the same night, Ton would be automatically relegated. Ton would also be relegated on goal difference if they were to lose and Cardiff Corries were to draw.
Match report © Ton Pentre AFC Press
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