Football: Red card nightmare for Shephard

Jan 24 2008 by Our Correspondent, Merthyr Express

Halesowen Town 3
Merthyr Tydfil 0

GARY Shephard must have felt the footballing gods were well and truly against him as his already depleted squad had to play for an hour with 10 men.

And if there was one player he couldn’t have done without against second placed Halesowen it was keeper Ashley Morris.

But the youngster was sent off on the half hour mark for handling the ball outside his area with Andrew Thomas putting on the shot stopper’s gloves for the remainder of the game.

The Martyrs had made the trip to high-flying Halesowen with injuries, suspensions and international call-ups depriving the squad of seven first team players.

They did welcome club captain Thomas back who had been sidelined for the last month with a hamstring injury.

The visitors were lucky not to fall behind in the fourth minute when Zema Abbey hit the post from close range.

On 25 minutes in a rare Merthyr attack Ross Porter forced a good save from Halesowen keeper Mark Osborn with a fierce drive from distance.

Then, five minutes later, came Morris’ red card which forced Shephard, without Ryan Griffiths on the bench, to put Thomas in goal.

Despite this setback Merthyr battled bravely with the two Matthews, Harris and Glassey impressing.

However just as it seemed the Martyrs would go in at half time on the level terms the home side took the lead when former Norwich City striker Abbey fired home from close range.

Darren Griffiths was unlucky not to equalise at the start of the second period when he fired inches wide from the edge of the area, and then Gareth Wharton saw an effort turned on to bar.

The home side then started to play some neat attacking football with former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Darren Caskey at the centre of every attack.

The home side went further in front on 64 minutes when Dean Brennan fired home from close range after an excellent move.

On 76 minutes the home side settled the game when Brennan scored again following and strong run and cross from Davion Hamilton.

The Martyrs continued to battle, forcing several corners but it was to no avail and stand in keeper Thomas was on hand to deny Shane Paul on two occasions which would have flattered the home side.