TON TROUNCED!
TON & GELLI BC 0 PONTYCLUN 4
Pontyclun travelled to Ynys Park Ton Pentre to take on Ton & Gelli BC in a South Wales Alliance League Premier Division fixture.
Pontyclun got proceedings underway kicking up the slope on a grey damp drizzly day in the Rhondda. After a slow start it was Pontyclun who had the first chance of the game in the eighth minute. Jamie Williams broke down the right before getting in a cross near the corner flag to the unmarked Oli James 12 yards from goal. However, the Pontyclun centre-forward could only head the ball weakly straight at the home keeper.
After Pontyclun had enjoyed the lion’s share of the game for the opening quarter of an hour the home team began to come more and more into the match and a couple of firm low crosses across the Pontyclun area from the left caused a number of problems for the Pontyclun defence.
Although Chris Darlington came close with a couple of efforts, chances continued to be very much at a premium for both sides and the half-time interval arrived with the score goalless.
The second half witnessed a completely different contest. In the 48th minute Pontyclun took the lead when they were awarded a penalty. The ball was played up to Oli James in the Ton & Gelli area and when he was scythed down from behind by a home defender referee Peter Small had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Shaun Moss stepped up the take the kick and despite the home keeper getting a hand to it, the pace on the ball was sufficient for it to enter the left hand corner of the net.
Two minutes later the home team nearly drew level. A sharp low cross came in from the right. A home forward managed to get a foot to it in a crowd of players but luckily for Pontyclun the ball grazed the edge of the right hand post before going behind.
In the 53rd minute though it was Pontyclun who doubled their lead. A good run down the left wing by Chris Darlington resulted in him crossing the ball into the Ton area where the unmarked Craig Williams running in was able to head the ball powerfully into the net.
Five minutes later Pontyclun came very close to extending their lead still further. A good ball into the home area by Tom Pascoe on the right found Harry Flint. The Clun midfielder’s effort evaded the Ton keeper but just as it looked to be entering the net a Ton defender got back to clear the danger.
Although the home team started to have an increased share of the possession as the half wore on it was Pontyclun who extended their lead further in the 80th minute. Substitute Callum Ponting advanced forward with the ball before finding fellow substitute James Gronow with a deft diagonal pass. The Clun player cleverly drew the Ton keeper before lofting it over his diving frame into the net.
With the home team completely demoralised Pontyclun now dominated proceedings and in the 87th minute they made it 4-0. Matthew Trigg played the ball in to Harry Flint in the Ton area and his looping shot went into the far corner of the net off the post.
This proved to be the final significant action of the half and the final whistle sounded with Pontyclun worthy winners by 4 goals to nil.