Ton Pentre opened their Ardal Southern season with a victory after an efficient 2-1 win at Treharris Athletic Western.
Jonathan Welsh and Leroy Thomas’ goals were enough to deal with Luke Bridgeman’s late scare as the Bulldogs defeated their former player Nana Baah.
The Rhondda side were deserving of the three points and perhaps should have won by a clearer margin having had the fair share of possession. Treharris did create a number of chances and were more attacking in the final third but ultimately it is Ton who enter the weekend with the smiles
Immediately from the kick-off, the visitors carved an important opportunity. target man Jonathan Welsh flicked a ball onto Thomas on the far side but the winger’s effort was tame and easily dealt with by Marcus Clyne.
There was a small cluster of voices who questioned for a penalty for Treharris as Sam Cawley was barged by Alex Davies but the referee was content no foul took place.
More work was needed to be done in the Ton defence to do though as Luke Evans had to be alert to Rameer Outlaw’s header after Nathan Mathias’ lofted free-kick from just inside the opposition half.
The hosts were dealt a blow early on as Kevin Tavares was unable to continue and Jarrad Williams was introduced.
The game was becoming stop-start with the injury affecting things, both sides were conceding some cheap fouls.
Ton though nearly profited from one of them as Lee Price was fouled on the edge of the box. In a clear shooting position, Leon Jacka opted to deceive Treharris and laid it through to the unmarked Thomas who carved a shot wide.
Veteran striker Jacka then almost put Ton in front as he broke through the line of defence and tucked his shot just past the post.
Nickie Jones’ side did take the lead though after their handful of chances. Leroy Thomas smart-footed Clyne and took the ball past him to stroke home into an empty goal. Thomas’ effort proved to be the first goal scored in the newly launched division.
In search of an equaliser, set-piece taker Mathias unleashed a shot but a flicked Ton head blocked its route on goal. It became scrappy in the box then came from the resulting corner-kick but the visiting side held out for a first-half lead.
Emerging for the second half, Treharris were enforced into a further change as substitute Jarrad Williams had to make way for Lewis Tandy, adding to Baah’s woes.
The early pressure paid off for Ton as they took hold of the match with a two goal advantage and Thomas played a part. The Pentre winger cut a ball across the goal and the Treharris defence could not clear, resulting in Welsh turning home his shot.
Treharris looked to respond to the set set back, there were a couple of half chances to score from. Mathias’ shot was closed down by the Ton defence before Lewis Bevan swept a shot over the bar.
Evans put in a couple of big stops following the second goal, rushing out to block a Outlaw effort in a one-on-one before making a superb diving save from a headed effort.
Clyne then matched the goalkeeping heroics by superbly denying Price in a one-on-one after his defence let him down. He could do nothing but watch on though moments later as Jacka later rattled the crossbar. The Treharris keeper did save well on the line though from Welsh’s well-directed header from a corner kick.
A series of free-kicks on the edge of the box followed for Treharris, firstly Cawley blazing over. Samson then had a low shot blocked by the well marshalled defence.
Eventually it was the experience of Outlaw to help break the deadlock. His well driven free-kick deflected off of Bridgeman to set up a nervy finish.
Ton though were undeterred by the goal and defended well to see out the victory.
Treharris Athletic Western: Marcus Clyne, Matthew Sellick, Lewis Bevan, David Lee (C), Luke Bridgeman, Marinho Manga, Haben Samson, Kevin Tavares (Jarrad Williams, 7) (Lewis Tandy, 46) Sam Cawley, Nathan Mathias, Rameer Outlaw.
Substitutes not used: Lloyd Clement, Nana Baah, Matthew Evans
Goals: Luke Bridgeman 82′
Yellow Cards: David Mitchell 53′
Ton Pentre: Luke Evans, Mishary McCarthy, Gareth Welsh (C), Alex Davies, Joshua Hardy, Robert Owen, Jamie Bebb (Keelan Fackrell, 77), Lee Price, Jonathan Welsh (Calum Murray, 75), Leon Jacka, Leroy Thomas.
Goals: Leroy Thomas 38, Jonathan Welsh 48′
Substitutes: Kyle Bassett, Osian Howells, Nickie Jones.
Y Clwb Pel Droed’s Player of the Match: Leroy Thomas
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