Football: Martyrs bashed after blunders

Jan 31 2008 by Our Correspondent, Merthyr Express

Merthyr Tydfil 0Bashley 2

TWO second-half blunders by Martyrs keeper Ashley Morris gifted the three points to Bashley.

A fluffed clearance and a foul that resulted in a penalty left Garry Shephard’s side with nothing from a match they didn’t look like losing.

The Merthyr faithful were in good voice after responding to Shephard’s plea for more vocal support at Penydarren Park and their side’s 3-0 midweek win at home to Hitchin Town.

The hosts almost took the lead during the first half when Darren Griffiths opted to square the ball when shooting seemed the better option. The Martyrs continued to press and Andrew Thomas hooked a shot wide of the post, and a Gareth Wharton header was well gathered by Bashley keeper David Elm.

Merthyr were on top and after another Wharton header had caused panic in the visitors’ area, Pete Castle was on hand to clear.

Two further chances came when Dale Griffiths headed onto the crossbar when it looked as though Elm had the looping header covered, and Craig Steins shot tamely at Elm when he really should have scored.

To their credit the visitors defended well, but it was the Martyrs who continued to create the better chances, forcing several corners at the start of the second half.

The visitors took a surprise lead on 55 minutes when Matthew Harris played a back pass to Morris, who miscued his clearance straight to Ryan Moss who easily rolled home from 12 yards to embarrass the Martyrs’ stopper.

Immediately from the kick-off the Martyrs went on the offensive, and Harris played in Darren Griffiths who forced a fine save from the impressive Elm.

The Martyrs sensed an equaliser and Wharton headed over, and Darren Griffiths somehow did likewise when it seemed easier to score.

On 81 minutes, the visitors sealed the points when a long, hopeful ball wasn’t dealt with by Dale Griffiths or Morris and the keeper, suspended for the Martyrs’ home match against Cirencester Town on Saturday, brought down Moss in the area.

Fortunately for Merthyr, Morris received only a yellow card when a red looked possible.

Morris saved the tame penalty from Dave Wakefield but to his horror the ball bounced straight back to the taker who drilled home from five yards.

The Martyrs had competed throughout the 90 minutes and were well worth a draw, but were undone by two defensive lapses, an area that must improve if the Martyrs are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

Merthyr Under-19s were beaten by league leaders Llanelli 4-2 at Penydarren Park.

They even went 2-0 up in the first 30 minutes through Luke Griffiths and Adam Lewis but were overrun in the second period.

This week’s Soccalot winning numbers are 2-4-12-19, drawn by Colin Bodenham. There were no winners this week, so next week’s prize is an estimated £2,000.