NATHANIEL CARS WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
PENYBONT .................... 4 TON PENTRE ................. 1
THE rollercoaster ride that Penybont are experiencing this season went on a Christmas high against Ton Pentre at The Kymco Stadium, writes Tony Poole.
But ahead of kick off, there was little Christmas cheer on offer, as they were without injured top scorer Marcus Griffiths and suspended playermanager Rhys Griffiths.
They also came in to the game on the back of a 5-1 setback at former cham- pions Caerau Ely – and badly needed a fillip.
But things got worse before improving after exBridgend Town star Sam Small showed his teeth – and the Bulldogs duly led.
His third-minute strike came right out of the blue, but Bont remained composed and 10 minutes later they duly responded.
Adam Carpenter turned the screw in the box, and hammered the ball past Kyle Jones in the Ton goal.
And in a complete role reversal, the Bridgend super club went ahead in the 21st minute from a Kane Owen corner.
The ball ran into the path of Josef Hopkins, who duly despatched a third goal of the season.
But Ton, who took the reverse fixture 3-2 on day one of the season, missed a key chance during time added on.
Small went one-on-one with Rhys Wilson, and it was the home goalkeeper who had the better of the collision.
Bont led 2-1 during the interval and the game went through an impasse before the Bridgend super club enhanced the lead.
Tom Davies brought down Bont substitute Kurt Thornbury in the box and Owen converted a second penalty of the season.
That was moreorless game, set and match Bont, but they nevertheless struck again in the 85th minute.
A wonder cross from Cullen Kinsella freed Carpenter, who saw a closerange effort shoot past goalkeeper Jones.
And entering stoppage time, Ton were reduced to 10 men when Adam Lewis was sent off for a second bookable offence.