Croesyceiliog 0 Ton Pentre 0

Croesyceiliog picked up a unexpected point against high flying Ton Pentre and with this point they moved to within five points of ensuring first division football at Woodland Road next season.
Ton Pentre came into the game as league leaders and Croesy had suffered a heavy defeat at Ton Pentre in early March but Croesy's commitment and work ethic was brilliant all afternoon and they fully deserved the point they got.
Croesyceiliog knew they had to start much better than they did against Goytre United midweek,and from the first whistle it was clear that they were up for the game although Ton Pentre had half a chance to take the lead after nine minutes,Mike Dewar's clearance hit Dane Williams and the ball fell kindly for the visiting striker but he saw his lobbed effort over John Bailey go wide of the post.Croesy responded well and young striker Zac Osbourne fired a effort high and wide just three minutes later after being found by Ricky Coffe,Coffe had continued his run into the penalty area and if Osbourne had noticed Coffe in space perhaps he would of played the ball across goal to him.Neither keeper was forced in to making a save in the first half even though both sides were attempting to create chances,none fell for anyone to have a clear strike on goal.
Ton Pentre had the first real chance of the game just a minute into the second half but again Bailey in the home goal was not tested,Andrew Hughes passed to Dale Price who from eight yards out put the ball over the crossbar.
Both sides were reduced to ten men on fifty-seven minutes following a off the ball incident,Ton Pentre were awarded a free kick in their own half,but as the players were moving forward towards the Croesy penalty area,Ton Pentre striker Dane Williams hit Mike Dewar for no apparent reason throwing at least three punches and Dewar doing what anyone else would of done choose to defend himself and on the advice of his assistant the referee sent both players off.
Neither side had many chances as they seemed to cancel each other out with many shots being fired from distance but none testing the keepers.Ton Pentre though must have thought they had sneaked a late win just a minute from normal time as Phil Clarke's cross was met at the far post by Richard Stevens but Bailey pulled off a excellent save as the header seemed destined for the top corner and the save was worthy of Croesy securing a point.Seven minutes of injury time was added on at the end but neither side could find a winner in a game that really boosted Croesyceiliog's survival hopes but at the same time put a dent in Ton Pentre's hopes of winning the league.
All of the Croesy players performed well on the day from Bailey doing what he had to do well in goal,Carl Evans anchoring the midfield to Osbourne leading the front line really well as the lone striker,but everyone should be proud of the effort they put in.
Croesy pulled eleven points clear of the drop zone,as Maesteg Park were beaten again and although Croesyceiliog will probably finish in fifteenth place this season considering the position they were in a few weeks back it has taken a huge effort by the players and management team to get them as far clear of the drop zone as they are.

Croesyceiliog: Bailey,Holman,Bristow,J.Jenkins,Dewar,Clare,McGrath,Evans,Osbourne(Jones 84),Clouth,Coffe. Unused subs:D.Jenkins,Pearce.