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Clubs' earlier Match Reports
Saturday 14 May 2008 Bryntirion Athletic 2, Cwmbran Town 0 from cwmbrantownafc.co.uk The season ended as it had started, in warm sunshine, but with a defeat. A first half brace from one of the league’s hottest prospects, Robbie Walters, ensured the points went to the home side. Young reserve team defender Ryan Howells was handed his senior team debut in a back five, but unfortunately his first match was only to last three or four minutes. A clash of heads when going up for a defensive header left Howells needing a trip to the local hospital. Craig Lane replaced him a few minutes later. The first meaningful attack of the game by either side led to the hosts creating the opening goal. A cross came in from the right wing and Robbie Walters rose to head home. Ten minutes later and the Crows had a chance to equalise. Oliver Collins clipped the ball over the high Bryntirion defence and Chris Smith latched onto it. Keeper Alan Fouanguim was off his line like a shot and Smith couldn’t steer his shot passed him. As the half-time whistle approached Bryntirion extended their lead. A communication mix up between the keeper and the defence saw Bryntirion’s Jon Cuss steal the ball and set Walters up to slot home. As is so often the case this season the Crows played better and created more in the second half. With the Bryntirion defence happy with their high position up the pitch, the pace in the Crows attack proved dangerous. Half time sub Richard Lane had the first real chance. He latched onto a ball over the top from Lefty Simplice and sped towards goal, but could then only shoot wide. Chris Smith had a brace of chances from a corner. He connected well with a header but the keeper was equal to it. The rebound fell kindly back to him but he lifted his shot just over the bar. Shortly afterwards, the hosts hit back when Cuss crossed for Carpenter who put his header wide of the mark. As the game entered the last five minutes Richard Lane was set free again. Koffi flicked on a through ball and Lane bore down on goal with two defenders for company. Again keeper Fouanguim denied the young striker. As the final minutes of the game, and season, ticked away, the Crows mustered two more chances. Tybbo Koffi’s long-range shot was saved before Lefty signalled the end of the campaign with a speculative shot that went just wide. The Crows now wait on the results of Taff’s Well’s and Pontardawe’s last games to see if they will finish twelfth, thirteenth or fourteenth.
Tuesday 6 May 2008 Pontyclun 0, Barry Town 3 By Greg Lamerton, Pontyclun FC Defeat in their final game of the season against promoted Barry Town condemned Pontyclun to relegation to Division Three of the MacWhirter Welsh League. As was the case in the previous match between the sides at Jenner Park, with a little more luck, Pontyclun could have got a result but Barry were more clinical with their finishing and ran out deserved winners. In front of a large crowd, Ponty started brightly and played some decent football but without really creating a clear cut chance. It was the visitors who scored however with their first strike of the game when Christian Mills ran straight through the centre of the Clun defence and placed a well struck shot just inside the far post. Chris Bowen then had a headed effort cleared off the line by a Barry defender before the visitors doubled their lead. No danger seemed imminent as Rhys Jones picked up the ball on the left hand touchline but he skipped past a couple of defenders as he cut inside and smashed a shot past Matty Evans in the Ponty goal. Ponty replaced Shaun Williams with Andy Morris for the second half and again started brightly as Bowen had yet another header kicked off the goal line. Williams’ brother Craig then forced an excellent diving save from the Barry keeper and John Rees narrowly failed to connect with a cross that was flashed across the Barry goal mouth. Bowen kept the score line to 2-0 when he made an excellent tackle to deny Barry playmaker Jamie Bradfield after Ross Youlden had been done for pace. Ponty manager Phil Preene made two further substitutions in an effort to salvage a point with Adrian James and Mathew James making way for Day and Hutchins. However it was Barry who scored the last goal of the game when their substitute Rob Blatchford scored with a neat finish after the ball had been needlessly given away on the right. So division three it is next season and Ponty can look back on one or two key results that cost them relegation, particularly home defeats by Tredegar and Ammanford, clubs which finished very low down in the league themselves. On a brighter note, the emergence of youngsters Joel Woodington, Mathew James, Shaun Williams, Chris Bowen and keeper Evans auger well for the season ahead and the club should make a swift return back to Division Two.
Saturday 10 May 2008 Caldicot Town 1, Ton Pentre 3 from Ton Pentre FC Ton Pentre finished their season with a well earned win at Caldicot Town where some fine football was on show. Ryan Shugar, Mark Crutch and Jonathan Kift were on target for the Rhondda Bulldogs to round off a season that has seen them finish third in MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One. The Bulldogs will feel disappointed with this final position having lead Division One for a large portion of the season but following some poor results throughout March and April they handed advantage over to Dinas Powys and Goytre United. The Goyts look likely to lift the title as a draw in their final match of the season on 13th May against Caerleon would see them win the silverware. This match against Caldicot Town was significant as it signalled the end of goalkeeper Marty Ellacott’s excellent career. Ellacott played League of Wales football with Ton, represented the Rhondda Bulldogs in the UEFA Inter-Toto Cup and is still one of the best goalkeepers in the Welsh League. He certainly retires while on top of his game. Ton’s afternoon at Jubilee Way almost got off to a terrible start when inside the first five minutes a pass inside by Phil Clarke to Mark Crutch was hit short allowing Jason Thorn to snatch possession. Thorn should have scored but he cracked his shot against the cross bar. Following this Ton’s dominance on the game began and Mattie Davies came close to bending his shot into the net but the ball was pushed away by James Smallcombe. On the follow-up Andrew Hughes struck his shot over the bar. The Bulldogs found the back of the net in the 11th minute when from an Alyn Jones corner Ryan Shugar moved well inside the box and fired in Ton Pentre’s 100th league goal of the season making it 1-0. Despite coming close on several subsequent occasions, Ton did not score again until the 28th minute when defender Mark Crutch scored a beautiful goal after he stayed up the pitch following a Ton corner. When the ball was cleared out to the left by the Caldicot defence it was re-sent back into the box. The ball landed inside the penalty area and Crutch volleyed his shot past Smallcombe and into the net. On 44 minutes Nicky Jones crossed into the box from the right and found Jonathan Kift. He finished well to score his 24th goal of the season giving Ton a comfortable three goal lead. Caldicot Town grabbed a goal back a minute later through Thorn when he outflanked the Ton defence. For the first 20 minutes of the second half Ton completely controlled this fixture and should have added several more goals but Shugar saw his 60th minute curling shot saved by the keeper, Davies had his shot blocked by last ditch defending two minutes later and from the rebound Lee Matthews hit the post. Caldicot enjoyed a period of possession following this but were well contained by Ton Pentre leaving them unable to find any penetration. By the end of the match the Rhondda Bulldogs were back to playing in their usual flowing and intricate manner but were unable to find the back of the net for a fourth time. Ton Pentre AFC will hold their Annual Presentation Evening at Ton Pentre Football Club on Friday 23rd May 2008 with Soul Sensation providing the musical entertainment. Tickets cost £3 and are available from the Clubhouse. Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Nicky Jones; 3.Scott Hayward; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Phil Clarke; 6.Andrew Hughes; 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Ryan Shugar; 9.Mattie Davies; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Alyn Jones. Subs not used: 12.Dale Price; 15.Scott Jones & 16.Richard Stevens. Goals: Shugar 11, Crutch 28, Kift 44 Booked: None
Dinas Powys 2, Pontardawe Town 1 by Morley Williams, Dinas Powys FC This win, in their final game of the season, keeps Dinas at the top of MacWhirter Welsh League Division One and the effort and commitment shown through this season was evident in this game when they went a goal behind and were reduced to ten men in the first twenty minutes. It was the home side who had the chance to open the scoring in the fourth minute, a corner taken quickly to Shelton Payne gave him the chance to go past a defender and lay the ball back to Nana Baah but he side-footed past the left upright when he should have scored. Pontardawe had the advantage in height and maybe that was in Jason Cowan’s mind when he needlessly handled a free-kick in the penalty area to give the visitors a penalty, Luke Harris scoring from the spot. Shelton Payne volleyed over from a Ricki Morgan cross before Dinas were dealt another blow when Morgan was given his marching orders and they were reduced to ten men. At least Jason Cowan had the chance to redeem himself and for the remainder of the game he put in a controlled and committed performance with manager Mark Jones changing the formation. Dinas struck back in the twenty-eight minute when a corner found Chris Ashley at the far post, he played the ball back in and when Drew Fahiya’s overhead kick hit the arm of a defender the referee immediately gave a penalty, Geza Hajgato stepped up and coolly sent goalkeeper Mark Snell the wrong way to score. Another mazy run past three defenders by Shelton Payne ended with a shot over the bar. Despite being down to ten men the Pontardawe forwards were not giving the Dinas defence many problems and it was the home side looking more likely to score in what remained of the first-half. Five minutes into the second-half a Dave Brooks pass gave Nana Baah the chance to advance into the penalty area but his low cross was well taken by the Pontardawe keeper Mark Snell at the foot of his post before any Dinas player could get a foot to the ball. Top scorer Drew Fahiya had been well marshalled by a robust defence but when he did get a chance his shot from the edge of the area didn’t trouble the keeper. Five minutes later he showed just what he is capable of, a Dinas throw found him in the area he flicked the ball over a defender and placed the ball past the keeper into the top far corner of the net for his twenty-fourth goal of the season to give Dinas the lead. The visitors should have equalized from a corner, the ball hitting the bar and rebounding to Ashley Richards but his close range effort was smartly saved by keeper Keiron Blackburn but this was probably the only chance they created throughout the game. I n warm sunshine Dinas saw out the final twenty minutes of the game before players and management celebrated what has been the best season in the club’s history. Congratulations to Mark Jones, players and all involved at the club. All eyes are now on the game on Tuesday 13th May at Goytre where the title will be decided, the home side only need a point against Caerleon to move above Dinas and win The Welsh League.
Wednesday 7 May 2008 Cwmbran Town 2, Bridgend Town 2 from cwmbrantownafc.co.uk A deserved three points seemed on the cards for the Crows after a particularly impressive second half performance. However, a late penalty kick was enough for the visitors to steal a point in a highly entertaining game. The game got off to a sprightly start with Ricky Hodge shooting just wide, followed by Bridgend’s Jenkins shooting over from a right wing cross. A minute later though and former Crow Dale Raven put his side 1-0 up with a sweet half-volley. Raven controlled a cross from the right and then managed to squeeze his shot through two defenders and into the corner of the net. The visitors could have gone 2-0 up almost immediately when another ex-Crow Hayden Fleming was allowed to run a good 25 yards relatively unchallenged. Fortunately, Richard Jeffries was on hand to save Fleming’s shot. Around the half hour mark Tybbo Koffi was unlucky to see his shot on goal deflected onto the post by the man on the line after keeper Cropley had missed a cross. Moments later, the Crows fashioned a lovely move that saw Sosy Guei start and end it. He picked the ball up deep and supplied Smith on the right wing. Smith then clipped in a long cross which Koffi headed back across goal only for Guei to shoot just over the bar. It didn’t take long for Guei to make up for that miss though. Koffi sprung the offside trap, controlling a long ball from the defence. His shot was saved by the keeper but fortunately the loose ball came back to him. He unselfishly squared the ball to Guei who slotted past the defender on the line. The half ended with a flurry of chances with the first falling to Bridgend. Nilton Terroso picked up a loose ball and thumped a cracking half-volley from about 20 yards. It was a good height for Jeffries, but he still needed to be at full stretch to tip over in acrobatic fashion. In injury time, neat approach play by Law and Koffi set Hodge up, but his shot was saved by Cropley. Hodge whipped in the resultant corner and this time it was Chris Smith who saw his shot cleared off the line with the keeper beaten. The second half took a while to get going, but as the hour mark approached the Crows took the lead. Bridgend’s high line was exposed allowing Sosy Guei to power down the right flank. His cross fell to midfielder Tidiany Kone who simply doesn’t score boring goals. Kone made a little space for himself before curling a powerful shot into the keeper’s top left-hand corner. Following that goal the Crows took full control of the game. Koffi turned and out-paced the tiring Bridgend defence only to see his shot go just over the bar. Ten minutes later, Guei dinked a lovely ball over the top of the defence for Roleio-Doe to run onto. The substitute couldn’t beat the keeper though as Cropley saved well. Almost immediately Roleio-Doe returned the compliment, teeing-up Guei who shot just wide of the goal. Koffi had a brace of chances in the space of three minutes as the game entered the last ten. Cropley came to the rescue saving Koffi’s first attempt, but could then only watch as the second went wide of the mark. Then just before the imminent heart-breaking penalty, Richard Lane latched onto a through ball but was denied again by the keeper. As home fans began chewing on their nails waiting for the final whistle the unthinkable happened. A spectator for most of the second half, Raven received the ball outside the Cwmbrân box. As he attempted to power his way to the by-line, the normally-cool Pierre Lisbie tripped the diminutive winger and the referee pointed to the spot. As in the reverse fixture, Raven calmly despatched the penalty kick past Jeffries, only this time the goal yielded an unlikely point for Bridgend. The Crows complete their campaign with an away trip to Bryntirion Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
Goytre United 2, Ton Pentre 2 from Ton Pentre FC Ton Pentre and Goytre United provided a wonderful example of what the MacWhirter Welsh Football League has to offer as Glenhafod Park Stadium hosted an action packed match for all the right reasons. Excitement was abound from the very first minute of the game when the Rhondda Bulldogs took the lead through their captain, Andrew Hughes after Jonathan Kift was fouled by a Goytre defender on the left hand side of the field about 20 yards out from goal. Dale Price took the free kick and swung the ball into the far post where it was met by Hughes who sent a bullet header into Chris Curtis’s net. The action was end to end and Goytre’s first real chance came during the 12th minute of the match when good build-up play carved an opening in the Ton defence allowing Danny Thomas to slip through undetected. With Marty Ellacott off his goal line Thomas attempted a chipped shot but he was unable to keep it out of Ellacott’s reach and the Ton goalkeeper held firmly. As the half progressed the Rhondda Bulldogs were allowing Goytre too much time on the ball and as a result they began to look very dangerous. The Goyts grabbed an equaliser just shy of the half hour mark when Ton conceded a free kick deep inside their own half. Richard Ryan stood over the ball from around 25 yards out and his body language suggested that he was going to attempt a direct shot. However, instead he sent the ball to the left post where Darren Lyons was able to score from a tight angle for a well worked goal. Moments later Goytre were gifted the lead when a failed back pass from the head of Hughes allowed Thomas the chance to lob a helpless Ellacott. It almost got worse for the Bulldogs at the start of the second half when Thomas again found himself in a goal scoring position following a useful attack. However, Ellacott pulled off an excellent save by diving low to his left to scoop the ball out for a corner. Ton responded positively and put Goytre under pressure for large portions of the second half. As a result the Bulldogs deserved their 64th minute leveller. Dale Price was hanging back in midfield following a Ton assault on the Goytre box and when the ball was cleared from the penalty area it landed at his feet. The ball bounced up nicely for Price who unleashed a wonderful shot from 30 yards that was destined for the back of the net from the moment the ball left his boot. The shot was unstoppable and drew the Bulldogs level at 2-2. Mattie Davies came close to scoring a potential winner for Ton when he received the ball in the box from Alyn Jones. With the keeper off his line he was presented with a fantastic opportunity but the shot wasn’t high enough and Curtis was able to pluck it out of the air. Goytre too had an excellent chance of winning all three points five minutes from the end when former Bulldog Steve Conaty was allowed to run right through the middle of the pitch and into the penalty area for a free shot at the target. Fortunately for Ton he sent his shot high over the cross bar. A draw was a fair result in this highly entertaining match. This result means that Goytre United are now firm favourites to take the league title for the 2007-2008 season. Ton’s final match of the season is on Saturday 10th May 2008 at Caldicot Town. Kick off 2.30pm. Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Ryan Morgan (12.Richard Carter 76); 3.Nicky Jones; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Scott Hayward; 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Dale Price; 8.Ryan Shugar; 9.Mattie Davies; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Alyn Jones (15.Phil Clarke 72). Subs not used: None Goals: Hughes 1, Price 64, Booked: Hayward 27, Crutch 57, Clarke 90+2
Pontyclun 0, Barry Town 3 by Stuart Lovering, Chairman, Barry Town FC Barry Town recorded a final victory on Tuesday night when they ran out comfortable winners against Pontyclun in their last match of the season. The Town could still have won the title but rivals Bettws also won on the same night so the Dragons finished the season in second place and promotion to Division One. The Town’s 21st win of the season (out of 34 matches) also doomed Pontyclun to relegation. Keiron James nearly put Barry Town ahead after seven minutes when he rounded the keeper but found himself too far wide to shoot and his cut back was intercepted by a defender. The Town took the lead on 20 minutes when Christian Mills was put through the middle with a Jamie Bradford pass. Mills calmly stroked the ball to the oncoming keepers left to the roars and French horn of the Town’s large travelling away fans. A minute later, a Town defender cleared off the line after some goalmouth action. In the 23rd minute, Mills ran through the middle again but this time the keeper saved the ball at his feet. Pontyclun were playing dangerously with a high line defence against Mills pace and but for many offside decisions (some controversial), Mills could have scored a hatful. A couple of minutes later, Rhys Jones made it 2-0 to the Town. Starting near the touchline, Jones made a jinking run, only to be man-wrestled. Jones proved stronger and got away (the referee playing advantage). Jones ran on a couple of paces and then curled a super shot into the far left of the net from 25 yards out – a fine individual goal. Captain Jamie Bradford rounded the Pontyclun keeper two minutes later and from his wide position curled the ball to the far post with the keeper nowhere but a defender managed to clear the ball for a corner. Jeff MacLean came on as a substitute for Geraint Goodridge who suffered a groin strain. The second half started well for the Town when Rhys Carr made a run down the right side and crossed for Rhys Jones whose firm header was tipped over the bar by the Pontyclun keeper. Jones was injured as a defender clashed heads with him – Jones resumed play wearing a bandage around his head, Terry Butcher style. Two minutes later, Lewis Cosslett was denied his first goal of the season when his looping header bounced off the crossbar. On the 65th minute, Jones put a header wide when he had more time than he realized. Seven minutes from the end Mills crossed centre field 10 yards in front of the penalty box. Rob Blatchford chested the ball down to go past the last defender and then drilled a 20 yard shot past the keeper to make it 3-0. A minute later, Mills powered a shot at an angle from 20 yards out narrowly into the side netting. Christian Mills finished the season as top scorer on 20 goals, Jamie Bradford scoring 17 goals. Barry Town: 1 Dan Bradley, 2 Rhys Carr (79 min: 15 Tomasz Hejduk), 3 Dan Marshall, 4 Richard Thomas, 5 Lewis Cosslett, 6 Geraint Goodridge (37min: 16 Jeff MacLean), 7 Kieron James (60 min: 12 Rob Blatchford), 8 Rhys Jones, 9 Christian Mills, 10 Jamie Bradford, 11 Nathan Cadette. Sub not used: 14 Giles Smith. Barry Town supporters have already started buying season tickets, even though the Town don’t normally start selling them until August. Prices are exceptionally low this year to attract a big crowd for a promotion push to the Premiership. Adult £50, OAPs £40, Student £30, Under 16 £10. Forms available at the Club open from midday. Tel 01446 735858.
Barry Town's players and staff celebrate promotion with some of their supporters at Pontyclun Barry Town’s Under 13 Youth Development Academy played Swansea City’s Youth Development at Jenner Park last week in a hugely entertaining game of football played with skill, quality and great spirit. When the Swansea City keeper had to go off injured, the number one Barry Town keeper went in goal for Swansea, making two important saves for the Swans whose players congratulated him.
Barry Town's and Swansea City's under-13 academy teams pictured at Jenner Park Rhys James stood out for the Town, his goal winning the match for the Town 3-2, though the score-line is not so important as developing the Town’s children to play at a higher level against stronger opposition. Swansea City were full of praise for the hospitality and professionalism afforded by Manager Matthew Case and Barry Town.
Saturday 3 May 2008 Ammanford 0, Pontyclun 1 by Greg Lamerton, Pontyclun FC Pontyclun may have just salvaged their place in the MacWhirter Welsh League Division Two following this excellent win at fellow strugglers Ammanford against a side that took all three points from Ivor Park a mere two weeks ago. Ponty were forced into a few changes owing to the suspension of Tyrone Pope and played the versatile Ross Youlden alongside Chris Bowen in defence with John Rees slotting into central midfield. Ponty started brightly and carved open the Ammanford defence but strikers Joel Woodington and Mathew James could not quite convert the opportunities given them. Ponty had to wait until ten minutes before the break to take the lead when a speculative ball across the penalty area from Craig Williams found young James and the striker coolly slotted home. The second half was somewhat of a nervous affair for Ponty, as it was a must that they held on to all three points. With Chris Bowen again outstanding at centre back and Youlden a willing partner they repelled everything Ammanford threw at them. Ponty had Eliot Davey dismissed for a second yellow card with twenty minutes to go and it was backs to the wall from there. However Woodington had an excellent opportunity to seal the win but after creating an excellent opening for himself with a sublime piece of skill, he dragged his shot wide with just the keeper to beat. Ammanford had two players sent off as the match came to a conclusion but Ponty ran out deserved winners in the end. It now boils down to the last match of the season against Barry Town at Ivor Park on Tuesday May 6th to determine the clubs fate as to whether they survive in the higher league for another season. Pontylun: Mathew Evans, Phil Watson, Chris Bowen, Ross Youlden, Eliot Davey, Craig Williams, John Rees, Adrian James, Simon Payne, Mathew James, Joel Woodington. Subs Ross Hutchings, Andy Morris, Mark Day
Dinas Powys 3, Cwmbran Town 0 by Morley Williams, Dinas Powys FC There are some things you don’t want to end and this season is one of them. Manager Mark Jones has the side playing like a well-oiled machine and although they are relying on Goytre to slip up to have any chance of winning the Welsh League it will still be their most successful season ever. Dinas had the ball in the net as early as the first minute but Drew Fahiya was judged offside, five minutes later Cwmbran lost the ball deep in the Dinas half, the ball was switched to Drew Fahiya and his cross was volleyed home from the edge of the area by Ricki Morgan for an excellent opener. Geza Hajgato was again having an excellent game at right back and with Ricki Morgan buzzing around in midfield Dinas dominated the game restricting Cwmbran to the occasional long-range shot. When Dinas keeper Keiron Blackburn’s clearance found the head of Nana Baah his flick-on was persued by Drew Fahiya and David Brooks but Richard Jefferies in the visitors goal was alert and was able to dive on the ball first. Jefferies was again in the action saving smartly at the foot of his post from an overhead kick by Fahiya. On forty minutes Dinas doubled their lead when a low cross from Nana Baah found Drew Fahiya and he was able to squeeze a shot just inside the upright. The second half continued where the first left-off with the home side well on top and the dangerous Fahiya just off target with a low shot from just inside the area. Eight minutes into the half there was a moment of contention, Dinas were awarded a penalty when a David Brooks shot hit the arm of a defender, Geza Hajgato’s kick found the corner of the net but the referee saw Dinas players encroaching into the area and awarded an indirect free-kick to the visitors when the kick should have been retaken. Cwmbran’s Tidiany Kone had a 25-yard shot comfortably saved by the Dinas keeper before Dinas centre-half Kurt Bettles moved forward for a free-kick and headed the ball on for Nana Baah his low shot the ball hitting the upright and rebounding giving David Brooks the easiest of chances to score from close range. As in the previous game Dinas seemed able to cut through the visiting defence almost at will but this time didn’t take their chances and the game spluttered to an end. Having won their last five games, scoring twenty-three goals and conceding only two Dinas entertain Pontadawe Town in the last game of the season at The Murch on Saturday 10th May.
Wednesday 30 April 2008 Maesteg Park 0, Ton Pentre 6 from Ton Pentre FC Ton Pentre heaped more misery on Maesteg Park with a six goal performance that almost makes relegation a certainty for the Tudor Park club. Following the disappointing goalless draw against Croesyceiliog in their previous match, the Rhondda Bulldogs knew that they had to produce the goods in this fixture against another of the teams that occupy the bottom positions in MacWhirter Welsh League Division One in order to maintain their slender hopes of the League title. Ton Pentre took a deserved lead in the 14th minute of play when Alyn Jones sent the ball into the box from the right following much pressure on the Maesteg defence. Jonathan Kift connected with the wonderful cross to head in at the far post. Kift bagged a brace three minutes later when his run into the box saw him bypass the defence into space. Despite having his feet clipped he kept his balance to send a well executed strike into the net past the powerless Chris Barlow. Ryan Morgan came close to increasing Ton’s lead against his former club when in the 27th minute he saw his header cleared from the goal line by a defender following a corner kick from Dale Price. The Bulldogs found the net on two more occasions at the end of the first half. Andrew Pearson netted the third goal after Kift had played a through ball to his strike partner and Ton made it four without reply in first half injury time when Kift was released through the centre of defence. The former Cardiff City striker confirmed his hat trick with a powerful shot. Ton Pentre were slow to get going in the second half of the match allowing Maesteg opportunities to create the odd chance. Their best fell to Mark Dunford on 67 minutes who broke clean through only to curl the ball around the right hand post when he should have scored. This woke the Rhondda Bulldogs up and two minutes later Kift scored his fourth goal of the match to make it 5-0 after being released by Price. Ton wrapped the match up with a sixth goal in the 90th minute when Mattie Davies sent a sublime cross into the box from the right that was impressively headed in by Phil Clarke from the edge of the six-yard box. For their next match Ton Pentre visit Goytre United on Wednesday 7 May for their penultimate fixture of the season. It is a match that the Bulldogs must win if they are to have any hope of taking the league title. An up to date league table can be found at www.welshleague.org.uk. This crunch tie kicks off at 7.15pm. Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Ryan Morgan; 3.Nicky Jones; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Scott Hayward (16.Ryan Shugar 73); 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Lee Matthews (14.Mattie Davies 73); 8.Dale Price; 9.Andrew Pearson (17.Phil Clarke 65); 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Nicky Jones. Subs not used: 12.Richard Carter & 15.Scott Jones. Goals: Kift 14, 17, 45+2, 69, Pearson 44, Clarke 90 Booked: Hayward 64, Matthews 66
Wednesday 30 April 2008 Dinas Powys 8, Bridgend Town 1 by Morley Williams, Dinas Powys FC This was a polished performance from an in-form and confident Dinas Powys side to trounce Bridgend and move them to top position in MacWhirter Welsh League Division One albeit only for a couple of days. A taste of what was to come came in the eight minute when Drew Fahiya left a couple of defenders in his wake to put in a good cross which David Brookes was unable to reach. Within a minute they had opened their account, Phil Allen played an excellent ball out of defence for Nana Baah on the edge of the penalty area to hit first time, the ball running slowly toward goal with Bridgend keeper Brendan Cropley scrambling but failing to stop it going in. A hesitant Dinas defence allowed Raith Plant to get a shot in but his effort ran just wide of a post before they got the second goal, an excellent left wing cross picked out the head of the effective Nana Baah, his flick-on gave Rikki Morgan the chance to volley over the Bridgend keeper and into the net. The third was not long in coming when a defender handled just inside the area Geza Hajgato stepped up to score despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball. The visitors’ Michael Parkin had an effort rebound to safety of an upright but further efforts from David Brookes, Rikki Morgan, and Geza Hajgato confirmed Dinas’s hold on the game and they went in at half-time looking to improve their goal difference in the second. Within two minutes of the restart Bridgend showed they had other ideas when Raith Plant’s spectacular shot from 20 yards sailed over the Dinas keeper and into the net. Dinas were not to be denied and within a minute had struck back, Drew Fahiya challenged for the ball with the visiting keeper and with the defence claiming handball he laid the ball back for Rikki Morgan to slot home from 10 yards. In the seventieth minute Jason Cowan won the ball in midfield and played in substitute Shelton Payne he in turn found Drew Fahiya who was strong enough to force the ball over the line for the fifth goal. Midfielder Phil James had a relatively easy chance to score when only eight yards out but within seconds the ball was played back across the area and this time he made no mistake placing the ball past the keeper from only five yards. Two goals in the final minute completed the rout, again Drew Fahiya outpaced the defence and crossed for Shelton Payne, he passed the ball on for David Ham to score from close range. With the Bridgend defence in disarray Fahiya again sliced through to score with a low shot from ten yards the referee signalling the end of the game soon after the restart leaving Dinas still in with an outside chance of the Division One title.
Cwmbran Town 1, Caerleon 2 from cwmbrantownafc.co.uk The visitors capitalised on a couple of defensive mistakes to win this derby match 2-1. Former Crow Wayne Jepson nodded in on the half-hour mark and Chris Jones pounced in the second half. Tidiany Kone scored a cracker near the end but it was only to be a consolation goal. The first eleven that played so well last week against Taffs Well took the field for this encounter, and the game started in similar fashion with the visitors having the larger share of possession. Lee Cueto gave the Crows an early scare with a mazy run that could only be stopped illegally. Josh Collins headed the ensuing freekick just over the bar. Then a few minutes later Ricky Hodge but down a marker when he shot just over after being supplied by Clarke. Caerleon then began to dominate proceedings and the warning signs began to appear. Dale Clarke shot over from inside the box before Chris Jones curled his shot just wide of Jeffries’s right-hand post. Just before the half-hour mark the visitors took the lead. The Cwmbrân defence did not deal with a long diagonal ball over to the right side, and a cross was then chipped into the box where Wayne Jepson was allowed to head in from close range. The Crows put a few good moves together before the break, but the closest they came to an equaliser was Leon Clarke’s low shot that was saved by Caerleon’s John Chorley. The Crows were a different side in the second half, and played some good football, usually involving midfielders Law, Hodge, and Kone. However, the final ball was either lacking, or couldn’t be latched onto. One particular move down the left flank produced the most bizarre incident witnessed in recent times at Cwmbrân Stadium. Some neat approach play set Kane Law free down the left, and he duly made his way to the by-line. As he attempted to cross, a Caerleon defender unceremoniously chopped him down a good couple of feet inside the penalty box. The referee blew-up but didn’t point to the spot. Amazingly, despite Law and the ball still being inside the box, the ref awarded a freekick. As the clock ticked down the Crows shot themselves in the foot with a poor piece of defending. The ball was given straight to Caerleon after a short throw-in, and a cross was whipped into the box. Chris Jones controlled the ball well and let off a low shot that deflected off a defender and into the net leaving the wrong-footed Jeffries with no chance. The best goal of the match was unfortunately just a consolation and it came four minutes from the end of normal time. Caerleon cleared their lines and the ball fell to Lefty Simplice. The centre-back immediately sent the ball back into the danger zone where Tidiany Kone was able to collect it. The tireless midfielder turned to face goal and unleash an unstoppable low drive into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Predictably the dying minutes of the game became a mad rush to secure an equaliser, but unfortunately nothing clear-cut could be fashioned. The Crows have three games left to play, the first being a trip to Dinas Powys on Saturday.
Barry Town 5, Llangeinor 2 by Stuart Lovering, Chairman, Barry Town FC Barry Town ended their home matches of the season on a high, celebrating promotion with a big win in torrential rain and hail. Christian Mills was the hero of the night, scoring his second hat-trick of the season. The Town took the lead after five minutes when a long high cross into the penalty box was met by a Mills gentle volley from 10 yards that went straight into the far corner of the Llangeinor net. This had followed a great chance when the Mills hit the crossbar with a header from a Jamie Bradford head flick on. The visitors drew level later when they took advantage of a Town defender slipping in the water covered surface to break through on the right. The cross was deflected high by a Town defender and fell for a Llangeinor forward to head the ball into the gaping net. Barry Town soon took the lead again when captain Bradford slotted home from a Rhys Jones head on. The Town went 3-1 up when Geraint Goodridge chipped the ball into the box, Bradford headed it on and Rhys Jones finished clinically. The Town hit the crossbar again when a Lewis Cosslett cross curled onto the bar. Llangeinor pulled one back to 3-2 when they were awarded a controversial penalty – Town defender Richard Thomas adjudged to have pushed the Llangeinor forward in the box when the two were side by side going for the ball. The Town soon made it 4-2 though when Rhys Jones completed a fine move started by Nathan Cadette. The midfielder weighted a perfect cross field pass to Jones whose cross to the far post was cracked towards goal by Rob Blatchford. The ball was parried to the far post where Mills popped up in the right place to toe poke the ball over the line. Barry Town went 5-2 ahead in the final few minutes when Mills chested the ball over the line from a Jeff MacLean cross to gain his second hat-trick of the season and 19th in all – Bradford is second-top scorer with 17. The Town played the match in the fast attacking style they had played for most of the season, even in the torrential rain and their speed and skill proved too much for Llangeinor. Manager Gavin Chesterfield will be strengthening his team for next season’s promotion campaign which should be the most exciting in many years. The Town’s awards evening is on Friday May 16th.
by Greg Lamerton, Pontyclun FC Pontyclun faced a hectic week of fixtures in their attempt to claw themselves away from the relegation places in the MacWhirter Welsh League Division Two and met with mixed results. Saturday 19 April 2008 Pontyclun 0, Ammanford 2 The visitors claimed all three points and certainly deserved them on the balance of play. However Pontyclun’s cause was not helped by the sending off of Tyrone Pope and Craig Williams and a missed penalty by star striker Joel Woodington. Ponty have an opportunity to redeem themselves as they visit Ammanford in the return and penultimate fixture of the season on Saturday 3 May. Wednesday 23 April 2008 UWIC 1, Pontyclun 0 Pontyclun acquitted themselves well against the high flying students and were very unfortunate not to come away with a point. The game was finally settled with a late second half goal by the UWIC substitute when he took advantage of a ricochet between the Ponty centre backs John Rees and Chris Bowen and broke through to fire past Mathew Evans in the Ponty goal. Ross Youlden was outstanding in the middle of the park for Ponty as was Chris Bowen at the heart of the defence. Saturday 26 April 2008 Pontyclun 1, Llanwern 0 Pontyclun put in an excellent performance, particularly in the second half to secure the points and give themselves a final lifeline to secure their place in Division Two for another season. Striker Joel Woodington scored the only goal early in the second half and indeed Ponty could have won by three or four goals despite the visitors striking the bar late on. This display, against a team lying sixth in the table just shows what the Clun are capable of on their day and repeat performances are required in their final two games against Ammanford on Saturday (away) and Barry Town at Ivor Park on Tuesday 6 May at 6.30pm where the club are hoping for a bumper crowd to cheer the players on. * Congratulations are extended from all connected with the Club to Pontyclun’s U-12’s who triumphed in their League Cup Final against Pontlottyn U-12’s in a game played at Nelson on Sunday 27 April 2008. The game finished 3-3 after extra time and the lads finally triumphed 4-3 on penalties after a pulsating game of football that kept the large crowd entertained throughout. Credit must go to all the players and in addition to the two coaches, Phil Miller and Martin Lawrence who have encouraged the lads to play excellent free flowing football which is a joy to watch. Well done.
Ton Pentre 2, Risca United 1 Youth Division East from Ton Pentre FC Ton Pentre Youth notched up their eighth league win of the season as they overcame Risca United’s challenge at Ynys Park. Ton started the better of the two teams and grabbed a deserved goal in the seventh minute of play when the Risca United goalkeeper dropped the ball from a cross into the box. David Jones was alert for the Bulldogs and he took advantage of the error to side foot the ball into the net for 1-0. Each time they attacked Ton were looking quite useful but their visitors managed to hold on until half time without conceding again. Ton nearly found themselves two goals up early in the second half when Jack Rowe forced his way through the Risca defence and after wriggling his way into space he struck a shot at goal. Unfortunately for the young Bulldogs the ball was cleared off the line by a Risca defender. As the half progressed Risca were creating more chances as the Ton defence appeared to lack concentration. On 59 minutes Ryan Betteney was forced to charge out from his goal line to narrow the angle for the Risca attacker. The Ton goalkeeper spread his body well to block the shot and deny a goal. In the 64th minute Risca were reduced to ten men when one of their midfielders was shown a red card for what appeared to be comments he had made to the Referee. This seemed to galvanise Risca and they became a real threat in front of goal but Betteney was able to deny them once again when he smothered the ball at point blank range in the 72nd minute. Betteney was unable to stop them minutes later when Risca outnumbered the Ton defence. As the Ton goalie came rushing from his line he was lobbed by an attacker with an excellent finish. Ton replied to this in the 82nd minute with a goal that was tickled inside the left hand post from a good attack. There was no way back for the visitors as Ton comfortably held out until fulltime. Ton Youth also play Risca in their next league match on Sunday 4th May. The away match kicks off at 2.30pm.
Saturday 26 April 2008 Croesyceiliog 0, Ton Pentre 0 from Ton Pentre FC Ton Pentre have dropped to third place in Division One of the MacWhirter Welsh Football League following their goalless draw at relegation strugglers Croesyceiliog. With Goytre United winning 5-0 at Newport YMCA and Dinas Powys smashing Cambrian & Clydach 6-0, the Rhondda Bulldogs had to win their match at Woodland Road. Sadly it was an uninspiring performance from Ton who misfired when in front of goal. The result hands advantage to both Goytre and Dinas in the title race but the Bulldogs will now aim to regroup and hope that their rivals slip up in forthcoming matches. Ton started the game reasonably bright and Dane Williams went close with two efforts in the first eight minutes. On his first chance he struck his shot straight at goalkeeper John Bailey and for the second his determination saw him win a loose ball. As the ball bounced up he headed it over Bailey but the ball crept wide of the left post. For the rest of the half the Rhondda Bulldogs looked disjointed and this allowed Coresyceiliog more time on the ball to threaten the Ton Pentre defence. Despite creating several chances they failed to get a strike on target leaving Marty Ellacott with little to do in the Ton goals. Ton were better in the second half and nearly took the lead in the 46th minute when from an Alyn Jones cross on the left Dale Price was provided with an opportunity to strike from a central position inside the box, but his shot skimmed over the bar. Several minutes later Price turned provider when his free kick into the box was met by the head of Mark Crutch whose effort also went over the crossbar. An off the ball incident on 56 minutes resulted in a scuffle between Dane Williams and Croesyceiliog’s Mike Dewar. As a result both players saw red reducing their teams to ten men. Ton continued to press for the all important goal and adapted to losing Williams by pushing Alyn Jones up front from the wing. Jones broke free on the left during the 63rd minute and passed the ball to Andrew Hughes’s feet just inside the penalty area. The Ton Captain sent his effort over the top of the bar as the Bulldogs rued another failed chance. With time running out Ton were attempting to overload the Croesyceiliog box and from a free kick taken in their own half the ball fell for Crutch to strike. From 20 yards out it appeared that his shot was on target but it whizzed past Bailey’s right hand post. Richard Stevens also came close for Ton when he connected with Phil Clarke’s cross from the left. Stevens got his header on target but Bailey tipped the ball away from the top right hand corner of the goal. This result is a huge blow for Ton Pentre’s title challenge but Croesyceiliog will be happy with an unexpected point towards Division One survival. Ton travel to face Maesteg Park in their next match on Wednesday 30th April, kick off 7.15pm. Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Scott Hayward (15.Ryan Morgan 64); 3.Nicky Jones (12.Phil Clarke 64); 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Richard Stevens; 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Lee Matthews (17.Scott Jones 74); 8.Dale Price; 9.Dane Williams; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Alyn Jones. Subs not used: 16.Richard Carter. Goals: None Booked: Hayward 59, Clarke 90+7 Red Card: Williams 56
Cambrian & Clydach 0, Dinas Powys 6 by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC The visitors soon settled into their game and good passing between Drew Fahiya, Phil James and Geza Hajgato resulted in a fine cross from the latter which Nana Baah headed just over the bar. Just two minutes later Dinas opened their account when a Hajgato free kick found David Brooks on the right wing and his cross was volleyed home by Fahiya on 10 minutes. It was Fahiya again whose jinking run forced a corner. This was cleared for another corner, taken by Jason Cowan but the ball somehow evaded everyone and ran out for a Cambrian throw-in. Dinas keeper Keiron Blackburn then had to make a save at the feet on an onrushing striker when Danny Street's sliced clearance fell invitingly to the forward. Another Dinas corner almost produced a goal, Jason Cowan shooting low and hard but Jarred Howells made a good save. The home side were unable to create many attacks as Dinas were keeping the ball well and Drew Fahiya was giving their defence a torrid time forcing a number of free-kicks. Five minutes before the interval Shaun Fackerell was given his marching orders for use of the elbow on Chris Ashley, who sported a 'shiner' for the rest of the game. Dinas made an early substitution just after the break, David Brooks being replaced by Shelton Payne, and they pressed home their man advantage with a Jason Cowan corner being headed home by Ashley for 2-0. Shelton Payne then got in on the act, his jinking run forcing a corner, taken by Cowan and Payne volleyed home for 3-0. Eight minutes later Payne doubled his account blasting home a Fahiya cross for 4-0. Dinas manager Mark Jones then added fresh legs to press home the Dinas advantage, David Ham replacing Nana Baah and Kurt Bettles for Ricky Morgan. Another great corner from Cowan found Bettles who headed home just under the cross-bar. Cambrian then found themselves down to nine men when another player was dismissed for a second yellow and with five minutes remaining, Hajgato made it 6-0 with a superb free kick from 20 yards. This was a fine all-round team performance from Dinas and they now go into their final three games, all at home, with confidence.
Cwmbran Town 4, Taffs Well 2 from cwmbrantownafc.co.uk A second consecutive win ensures that Cwmbrân Town will be playing first division football again next season, as they now mathematically can’t fall into the bottom three. A fine attacking display saw Leon Clarke notch-up two goals and assist another before half time, and although the second half was a lot quieter, both sides got a late goal each. The visitors started with the right attitude and probably shaded possession for the opening 20 minutes, although both sides created early chances. Tidiany Kone was unlucky not to hit the target after neat build-up play by Ricky Hodge and Leon Clarke. Then, minutes later, Jamal Roberts should have done better when he headed straight at Jeffries after being left unmarked following a right-wing cross. As the half hour mark approached, the Crows clicked. Hodge had possession on the right side, and he fed the ball to the overlapping Oliver Collins. Collins forged ahead unchallenged and clipped in an inch-perfect cross, which Leon Clarke met with a glancing header. Well’s keeper Morling was rooted to the spot as the ball nestled into the corner of the net. No less than five minutes later, and Taffs Well shot themselves in the foot. Defender James Passmore knocked the ball back to his keeper, who duly returned the pass. Passmore seemed to have time on the ball one minute, but the next, Clarke was bearing down on him. Clarke won the ball and bore down on goal. As Morling came out to narrow the angle, Clarke simply rolled the ball into Tybbo Koffi’s path for him tap into the unguarded net. Incredibly, Well were back in the game two minutes later. A hopeful ball forward left the Cwmbrân defence in two minds, and although keeper Jeffries called and met the ball with a powerful clearance, the ball hit the unfortunate Donny Clarck and pinged back into the danger area. Jamal Roberts expertly overhead-kicked the loose ball into the net beyond the stranded keeper. A smart finish if ever there was one. Undeterred, the Crows continued to push on, and Kone was unlucky to see his shot shave the bar after being teed-up by Fidelis Chime. Chime has beaten two men and battled hard down the left wing prior to the lay-off. Then, on the stroke of half time, Clarke struck again. Hodge collected the ball in midfield and clipped a delightful ball over the Well defence. The pass initially looked too strong for Clarke, but he had the pace to beat the keeper to the ball before sliding it into the net. The visitors made wholesale changes during the break, using all of their permitted substitutions. And the move seemed to work from a defensive point of view, as the second half failed to live up to the first in terms of chances. The Crows came close with a long-range free kick and a long-range shot not long after the break, but there was nothing clear-cut. A poor offside call from the far side linesman and a foul by the last man curtailed perhaps two of the better second half chances. As the game drew to an end, the Cwmbrân faithful suffered a bout of nerves. After some good battling by Taffs Well’s Lloyd Toghill on the edge of the box, the midfielder instinctively unleashed a speculative shot on goal. The gamble paid off as the ball took one or two wicked deflections that saw it spin and squirm into the right-hand corner of the net. Any hope the visitors harboured of salvaging a point was immediately crushed though as the Crows went down the other end and won a corner. Hodge whipped the cross in, and the lurking Kone blasted in from close range to seal the win 4-2. The Crows will now take another weekend off before welcoming Caerleon to Cwmbrân Stadium on Wednesday the 30th of April.
Caldicot Town 1, Dinas Powys 2 by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC This win keeps the Villagers hopes of the Division One title still alive and was well deserved. Both sides had early corners which were cleared by the respective defences but Dinas soon began to get on top and Jason Cowan was unlucky with a shot that was just wide. The Dinas midfield were creating plenty of problems for Caldicot and they began to concede several free kicks. From one of these on 18 yards Jason Cowan fired over the cross bar. Dinas then went a goal behind when Jason Thorn powered through and with keeper Keiron Blackburn in no-mans-land, Thorn lobbed him for the opener on 20 minutes. This proved the catalyst for Dinas to up the work rate even more and in a fine move, Cowan played Ricky Morgan in on the left flank, he beat his marker and delivered a great cross for Drew Fahiya to volley home the equaliser on 28 minutes. Fahiya was then pulled back on the edge of the area, Geza Hajgato's free kick just going the wrong side of the upright with Caldicot keeper James Smallcombe beaten. Just before the interval Blackburn had to make a save from a Wayne Morley free kick from 25 yards. Early in the second half Smallcombe had to make a great save when Fahiya powered through and his shot was pushed round the post. As the half went on the play began to get a bit scrappy, littered with free kicks and bookings on both sides. Caldicot introduced fresh legs with Andrew Delve being replaced by.Gareth Cullimore. Dinas then replaced David Brooks with Shelton Payne with 20 minutes remaining and he soon made his presence felt latching onto a long clearance from Blackburn to bring another great diving save from Smallcombe, tipping the ball round the post for a corner. With 10 minutes remaining Hajgato just skimmed the cross-bar with a curling free-kick. Manager Mark Jones then replaced Jason Cowan, who had taken a knock to the head, with Kurt Bettles and with just five minutes remaining, David Ham came on for the hard-working Nana Baah. Just when a draw looked inevitable, deep into injury time, Dinas had a corner on the right which Hajgato took and David Ham headed home at the far post to the delight of the Dinas management team and travelling supporters for a 2-1 victory. Dinas are on their travels again on Saturday 26th, when they visit Cambrian and Clydach for their final away game of the season.
Saturday 19 April 2008 West End 1, Barry Town 2 by Stuart Lovering, Chairman, Barry Town FC Barry Town all but guaranteed promotion on Saturday when they secured a handsome win at outside promotion rivals West End in Swansea. The Town now have 62 points and are second to Bettws on 65. In theory, three other teams – UWIC, Ely Rangers and West End - could get 62 points to pip Barry Town. However, the Town would have to lose all three remaining matches and the other teams would have to win all their remaining 4, 5 and 8 matches respectively while overcoming Barry Town’s plus 33 goal difference. To celebrate promotion, the Chairman is offering two tickets for the price of one for Barry Town’s last home match of the season on Tuesday April 29th against Llangeinor, 7.45pm, when two people can watch the Town for just £5. The match is also free to anyone who buys a season ticket for next season – just £50 for Adults, £40 for OAPs, £30 for students and £10 for U-16s. West End started the match stronger than the Town and deserved to take a goal lead early in the first half after a flurry of chances. Barry Town’s top of the table jitters appeared to suggest the Town were heading for a third loss in a row when they conceded a penalty for a foul. However, the Town’s goalkeeper, Dan Bradley, dived brilliantly to save the penalty with the half time whistle coming a little later. The Town had also put some first class attacking moves together towards the end of the second half to give Barry Town’s travelling supporters some hope. Barry Town started the second half looking as though they had regained the confidence they seemed to have lacked for a few weeks. West End became increasingly defensive and appearing to be time wasting from the second half kick-off. The Town equalised after 60 minutes when Christian Mills snuck in at the far post to toe foot the ball into the net from player-manager Gavin Chesterfield’s 30-yard free kick. Just five minutes later, a precise corner kick by Lewis Cosslett was met with a bullet header from Town defender Gareth Picknell who appeared from nowhere. Barry Town played the second half with the style that they had showed for most of the season. However, they were unable to get the third goal their play was suggesting. The Town are away to Llanwern at Newport County’s Spytty Park on Wednesday, kick off 7.15pm hoping to gain revenge for their 2-1 home loss at Jenner Park a few weeks ago. Barry Town are looking to expand their youth development next season and are looking for more coaches. Anyone interested in becoming a youth coach at Barry Town can contact the Club on 735858 after midday every day. The Town need to increase the number of youth teams from age five to 17 at the Club in order to prepare for promotion back to the Welsh Premier.
Saturday 19 April 2008 Ton Pentre 5, Taffs Well 0 from Ton Pentre FC Ton Pentre administered a five goal thrashing to Taffs Well in their final home game of the season as goals from Andrew Pearson, Mark Crutch, Alyn Jones and a brace from Jonathan Kift completed a good performance. The Rhondda Bulldogs remain top of MacWhirter Welsh League Division One three points ahead of Goytre United in second place, who won their home match against Caldicot Town with a convincing 3-0 win. The Goyts have two games in hand on Ton but both teams meet each other on Wednesday 7th May at Glenhafod Park Stadium. Depending on their results between now and then, this match could very well decide who wins the league trophy. The Bulldogs currently have marginally better goal difference than Goytre which could be all important come the end of the season. The five goals against Taffs Well helped and Ton came close to grabbing their first goal in the match straight from kick off. An Alyn Jones run up the left saw him dart into the box and supply a pass to Andrew Pearson who hit the post from close range. Despite several other opportunities to score, the Bulldogs were made to wait until the 26th minute when Jones again found joy with a run up left. He squared the ball back to Pearson on the edge of the box and the former West Ham United player struck the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal hitting the stanchion putting it well out of Mathew Morling’s reach. Ton scored their other four goals in the second half as they attacked the river end at Ynys Park. Within the first five minutes of the re-start a missed clearance in defence provided Jonathan Kift with an opportunity. He took full advantage of Taffs Well’s untidy play to sweep the ball into the net. Taffs Well captain James Passmore had to leave the field of play after injuring his arm in a challenge with a Ton player and the loss was quite significant as the visitors lacked organisation in their defence following his absence. Ton capitalised and made it 3-0 on 54 minutes when from a set piece the ball found Mark Crutch whose headed effort was clawed away by Morling but only as far as Kift. The Ton striker was left with a simple finish at the far post to put the match well beyond the visitors. Moments after Dale Price had hit the goalpost a simple ball over the top of the visitors defence from midfield landed neatly into Jones’s run during the 74th minute. Although he had several players in support Jones decided to go it alone and the decision was the correct one as he finished well to notch up Ton’s fourth of the match. Mark Crutch scored the Bulldogs’ fifth and final goal in the 83rd minute when he connected to a Price free kick that was quickly sent in from the right. Crutch was unchallenged at the far po |
