Wealdstone 1 – 2 Merthyr Tydfil
Wealdstone1 - 2
Merthyr TydfilA real game of two halves this, as Stones were under the cosh from the kick off against a Merthyr side that looked to be the best team faced this season, but a mixture of Lee Carroll and bodies in general (and slightly misfiring forwards) prevented the visitors taking the early lead that looked on the cards.
This gave Stones some heart and they battled back into the game creating a few chances of their own, though in similar fashion Merthyr defended well, not really giving Stones more than a half chance. As the half drew to a close, Merthyr again took hold of the game forcing Stones ever backwards, and they finally made the breakthrough on 43 minutes when a sustained spell of pressure result in a cross being headed home at the far post.
Stones having struggled for the larger part of the half saw things go from bad to worse as the second half started, Merthyr adding to their lead within a minute with another header at the back post, Stones central defenders static as the visiting forward Shephard rose unchallenged.
Less than a minute later, Stones pulled a goal back through Papali and this signalled almost continuous pressure from Stones for the remainder of the match – real backs to the wall stuff from Merthyr protecting their lead, until with about five to go, O’Leary was dismissed for a second yellow card – both, viewed from close range i have to say seemed very harsh – both challenges were feet down attempts for the ball, the first saw the visiting defender clear the ball and his foot carry through onto O’Leary, the Merthyr man then rolling around like he’d been shot, and the second a similar challenge with the exception that O’Leary got the ball first – again the visiting defender seemed to make a meal of the challenge while the Referee produced Yellow Cards for O’Leary on both occasions…
Down to ten men, Stones pressure abated for a few minutes but despite a late rally in the last few seconds, they couldn’t find a way through, losing 2-1 and though many of the travelling fans went home wondering how they’d held on, the fact was, they did. Perhaps next week in the Trophy will be Stones change of revenge?
Team Details: Lee Carroll, Josias Carbon s76 Stanislav Rosboud, Lee Chappell 89 Kevin Swift, Stuart Bamford, Gavin Bamford s45 Michael Currie, Dean Clark, Chris O’Leary 39, 85, Wayne Cort s61 Matt Gooderick, Dean Papali 47, Graeme Montgomery, Subs Not Used: Fergus Moore, John Christian
Harrow Times
Wealdstone 1 – 2 Merthyr Tydfil
Battling Stones beaten by the clock……
A NEVER less than entertaining game saw Wealdstone once again beaten, this time by high-flying Merthyr, at Chestnut Avenue on Saturday.
The old clich “a game of two halves” was made for a game featuring such contrasting action as this.
Such was the Merthyr domination of the first half that it is fair to say this was the most one-sided 45 minutes seen at Chestnut Avenue this season. Wealdstone had little answer to the speed and movement of the visitors and the succession of deep crosses coming into the six yard box.
Occasional long range efforts from Graeme Montgomery and a low cross from the same player that Dean Papali, on another day would have got on the end of, were all Stones had to show for a first half’s effort.
It was looking as if Wealdstone would reach the interval all square and could re-organise, but a 42nd minute header from the unmarked Shephard following two goal-line blocks of shots from Phillips, sent Stones into the interval one down.
When Kendle made it 2-0, a minute into the second half with a far post header, it was no more than the visitors deserved at that point, but the two goal cushion was to last only a minute.
A corner from the left was spectacularly fumbled by keeper Morris and Papali was in the right spot to despatch the loose ball.
Suddenly, the game changed completely and in the next 25 minutes Wealdstone pressured continually and had four good chances to level the scores.
Papali fired a difficult volley over, made poor contact with another easier chance and debutant Dean Clark, who started quietly but improved as the game progressed, had an effort saved.
The hardest chance to miss fell to Matt Gooderick but his effort hit the outstretched arm of Morris and rebounded to safety.
It was only in the last ten minutes, with Stones pushing ever more forward, that Merthyr created any further chances to score. With the defence caught with a lack of numbers and with Lee Chappell having a five minute crazy spell, Carroll twice saved one-on-ones when faced with Shephard and Moses.
The highly dubious late sending off of Chris O’Leary following two cautions failed to stop Wealdstone continuing to gallantly try and get a point. Only the clock did that.
Now the two sides go to Wales for next Saturday’s FA Trophy game. Based on this remarkable 90 minutes, it should at least be interesting.