Ton Pentre and Lee Phillips part company by mutual consent after win less start to season

Lee Phillips is the first managerial casualty in the Welsh League Division One after himself and Ton Pentre agreed to part company by mutual consent.

The Rhondda club have picked up just three points from a possible 18 so far this season, with the clubs only victories coming in the Welsh Football League Cup.

The club announced the news on their official website late Monday evening as they confirmed that the former League Cup winner’s tenure had been brought to an end.

The former Barry Town United midfielder who scored against Portuguese giants FC Porto, was appointed as manager of Ton Pentre back in December 2014 and helped guide Ton Pentre to a 9th placed finish on 40 points.

In his full season in charge, Phillips replicated the 2014/2015 season by finishing in the same position and with the same points tally.

Last seasons finish saw the Bulldogs finish 12th with 36 points, finishing two places above the relegation zone, as clubs awaited the decision on how many teams would be relegated.

Under Phillip’s watch, the Bulldogs received mainstream attention after receiving a number of good luck messages from Welsh celebrities ahead of their JD Welsh Cup Round Three tie with Bangor City, where they lost 2-0 to the Europa League Play-Offs winners.

The story of the season so far has been their inability to see games out, after suffering a last-gasp equaliser against Undy Athletic back in August. History repeated itself earlier this month as Cwmamman United clawed back a point right at the death, leaving Ton Pentre frustrated.

In a statement released by the club, a spokesman wished Phillips well after life away from the club following his departure.

“We’d like to thank Lee for his service here at Ynys Park. Since his appointment he has been fully supportive of all the hard work that has gone on off the pitch.”

The club will now prepare for their next league fixture this coming Saturday as they travel to Rhiw’r Ddar to take on Taffs Well.

(Featured Image: Ton Pentre AFC)