Off-the-pace Martyrs fail to fire

Mar 25 2008 Western Mail

Merthyr 1-2 Cheshunt

THE Martyrs followed up Friday’s best performance of the season with undoubtedly their worst, as bottom side Cheshunt deservedly took all three points thanks to Gavin Taylor’s late goal.

Off the pace from the start Merthyr were a goal behind after just three minutes when Dale Griffiths got in a mix-up and Darrell Cox took full advantage, beating goalkeeper Ashley Morris from eight yards.

Gareth Warton made the most of Cheshunt’s inability to convert one of a handful of chances to level on 65 minutes before an incident 60 seconds later provided the main taking point of the afternoon.

Cheshunt’s Jamie Petty had already been booked but when coming off to make way for substitute Marvin Hong, Petty made a gesture towards referee Derek Eaton of Tewkesbury and received a straight red card.

But, after initially leaving the field of play, Petty returned to push referee Eaton clean off his feet.

The incident led to some 15 minutes of injury time but ironically did little to inspire the home side who succumbed to Taylor’s late winner and ended up with 10 men themselves after Dean Clarke received a second yellow card deep into stoppage time.

NEWPORT COUNTY suffered their second reverse of the Easter period after crashing to a 2-0 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville in Blue Square South.