Football: Merthyr score twice in spectacular finish

Nov 8 2007 by David Williams, Merthyr Express

Merthyr Tydfil 3Swindon Supermarine 1

MERTHYR showed no hangover from their FA Cup exit as they scored twice in the last five minutes on a gloomy day at Penydarren Park.

When Jamie Rewbury’s second-half penalty was saved with the score at 1-1, the Martyrs faithful feared the worst, as late goals have blighted their season so far.

Rewbury is now the third player, along with Steve Williams and Dale Griffiths, to miss a penalty this season.

But Merthyr weren’t to be denied their third league win as Craig Steins scored and then set up Matthew Harris in the last five minutes to seal victory.

Undoubtedly the better side, Merthyr were left frustrated by Supermarine, whose no-nonsense approach appeared to have given them a share of the spoils.

Captain Andrew Thomas opened the scoring five minutes before the break with a right-foot volley from Darren Davies’s throw.

Until then, only Steins looked likely to break the deadlock, although the visitors’ Adam Mayo headed just over when Ashley Morris failed to collect a cross.

Then, 10 minutes into the second half, the visitors equalised, totally against the run of play.

Richard Kear’s right-foot shot found the bottom of the net as Merthyr players backed off.

But 10 minutes later came the penalty after Mayo had blocked Steins’ cross with his arm and referee Lawrence had pointed to the spot.

Tom King in the Supermarine goal was up to the task as Rewbury’s kick was pushed out for a corner.

Just as Merthyr thought a draw was on the cards, the game exploded into life.

In the 87th minute, Steins picked the ball up just inside the Swindon half and a powerful run took him past the last defender to slot home.

Two minutes later, another attack by Steins saw him lay the ball off for Harris to tap into an empty net.

Merthyr manager Garry Shephard said: “For me, this result was more important than the FA Cup tie with Oxford United.

“I appreciate that we are only a quarter of the way into the league season, but with our cup campaigns now over we can concentrate fully on getting up the table, and this was a great start.”

The Martyrs have been drawn away to Supermarine in the third round of the Errea Cup on Tuesday, November 20.

Merthyr’s match at home against Bedford Town on Monday, November 12, has been postponed due to Wales Under-21 semi-professional squad call-ups for Ashley Morris and Jamie Rewbury for the match in Italy.