Football: Last-minute loss at Brackley

Oct 11 2007 by David Williams, Merthyr Express

Brackley Town 1 Merthyr Tydfil 0

THE Martyrs suffered heartbreak at table-topping Brackley as they conceded the winner with just a minute to go.

The home side created the first real chance when Robbie Baird fired wide when well placed, and the home side continued to press but some excellent defending ensured the Martyrs held firm.

On the half-hour Craig Steins clipped the top of the crossbar with a looping effort but that was as good as it got in the first half.

On 50 minutes the Martyrs were reduced to 10 men when Dale Griffiths was sent off for a poor challenge on home keeper Richard Night, although during the aftermath of the incident, Night appeared to strike Griffiths, which was seen by both referee and his assistant, but only resulted in the home keeper getting a yellow card.

Two minutes later, however, the home side were also reduced to 10 men when Michael Love was sent off for his second bookable offence when he clipped Tarrant Watkins.

On the hour Steins had a good opportunity to put the Martyrs in front, but his cross shot went well wide when he should have hit the target.

The Martyrs continued to press and on 70 minutes a far post Andrew Thomas header was brilliantly saved by Night in the home goal, and moments later substitute Matthew Harris glanced a free header inches wide.

With 10 minutes left to play, a dangerous Watkins cross was headed against the bar by Mike Jones.

But just when the Martyrs had looked to have gained a hard-earned point, a pin point Andy Williams’s cross was headed home by Brackley marksman Danny Spencer to condemn the Martyrs to an undeserved defeat.