Wealdstone 1 – 2 Merthyr T
Wealdstone1 - 2
Merthyr TydfilA real game of two halves this, as Stones were under the cosh from the kick off against a Merthyr side that looked to be the best team faced this season, but a mixture of Lee Carroll and bodies in general (and slightly misfiring forwards) prevented the visitors taking the early lead that looked on the cards.
This gave Stones some heart and they battled back into the game creating a few chances of their own, though in similar fashion Merthyr defended well, not really giving Stones more than a half chance. As the half drew to a close, Merthyr again took hold of the game forcing Stones ever backwards, and they finally made the breakthrough on 43 minutes when a sustained spell of pressure result in a cross being headed home at the far post.
Stones having struggled for the larger part of the half saw things go from bad to worse as the second half started, Merthyr adding to their lead within a minute with another header at the back post, Stones central defenders static as the visiting forward Shephard rose unchallenged.
Less than a minute later, Stones pulled a goal back through Papali and this signalled almost continuous pressure from Stones for the remainder of the match – real backs to the wall stuff from Merthyr protecting their lead, until with about five to go, O’Leary was dismissed for a second yellow card – both, viewed from close range i have to say seemed very harsh – both challenges were feet down attempts for the ball, the first saw the visiting defender clear the ball and his foot carry through onto O’Leary, the Merthyr man then rolling around like he’d been shot, and the second a similar challenge with the exception that O’Leary got the ball first – again the visiting defender seemed to make a meal of the challenge while the Referee produced Yellow Cards for O’Leary on both occasions…
Down to ten men, Stones pressure abated for a few minutes but despite a late rally in the last few seconds, they couldn’t find a way through, losing 2-1 and though many of the travelling fans went home wondering how they’d held on, the fact was, they did. Perhaps next week in the Trophy will be Stones change of revenge?
Team Details: Lee Carroll, Josias Carbon s76 Stanislav Rosboud, Lee Chappell 89 Kevin Swift, Stuart Bamford, Gavin Bamford s45 Michael Currie, Dean Clark, Chris O’Leary 39, 85, Wayne Cort s61 Matt Gooderick, Dean Papali 47, Graeme Montgomery, Subs Not Used: Fergus Moore, John Christian