| Merthyr Town 2 – 2 AFC Telford United Attendance 1, 513 |
| K. Evans 21′ | Owen 45+3′ |
| Wigley 76′ | Stenson 56′ |
A late equaliser from Morgan Wigley ensured Merthyr secured a point despite being on top for large parts of the game against a dogged Telford side who gained their first points of the season.
Following Saturday’s defeat at Spennymoor, Paul Michael made three changes to the starting XI, with Matty Harris, Jay Foulston and Kieran Evans slotting in, meaning Williams, Smerdon and Watts dropping to the bench. Will Spiers took his place despite Saturday’s red card, with his suspension kicking in as of South Shields later in the week.
Last season’s games against the Bucks produced 11 goals in total so this was never going to be a quiet affair, despite Telford losing their opening two games.
The Martyrs started quickly and were having early success down the right, with Spiers heavily involved (which seems to be the norm nowadays). Merthyr should have opened the scoring on 8 minutes when Spiers whipped in a superb ball to the back post which evaded the Telford defence, to a diving Kane who’s header was saved low from Benjamin. A great chance and even better save.
Livermore, K.Evans and J.Evans were enjoying the freedom to pick their passes with ease, with McLintock and Walker unable to regain possession in the middle. The visitors best threat was through Lambert on the left, who was unable to pick out Stenson with a number of crosses.
The Martyrs took the lead on 21 minutes after Wigley picked up the ball deep on the left with his back to goal. Despite the pressure from Curley, he stepped over the ball, span towards the by line and was able to get his shot off that was parried high by Benjamin. Simpson was at the back post to touch it inside and slide it back across to Kieran Evans to slam home from a few yards. Nothing more than they deserved. Merthyr 1 – 0 AFC Telford.
Telford continued to battle with and for the ball but the Merthyr press was relentless, meaning the possession was continually coughed up to one of the midfield 3 and normally put out wide towards either the advancing Spiers or Wigley. Kieran Evans flashed his shot from distance wide of the post, before Telford had their best chance of the half. Benjamin put a long ball towards Stenson, who won the header and flicked it to Walker who caught it cleanly on the volley from about 25 yards out. Cogman was on hand to make the save, but what a goal it would have been. Walker again went close from distance before a trademark Livermore challenge got the fans purring again.
Low and behold, Merthyr conceded another late equaliser just before the break. It came through Lambert on the left who whipped in an inviting ball towards the front post, with new boy Rio Owen glancing the header past Cogman which crashed in off the crossbar. A great header. Merthyr 1 – 1 AFC Telford.
One of those halves where we couldn’t believe it was 1 -1. Either for the fact Merthyr should have scored more than 1 goal or the fact we had conceded so late when looking so comfortable for 90% of the half.
Half Time: Merthyr 1 – 1 AFC Telford
As the second half started, the rain began which would no doubt play a part in proceedings. Wigley and Kieran Evans had shots saved in quick succession before Owen tested Cogman low to his right. The game had started to open up and the visitors, buoyed by their equaliser, looked like a different team. Merthyr had now looked to continually chip balls in behind but the Bucks defence were easily clearing their lines and setting up a number of counter attacks. Owen again went close after good work from McLintock before they deservedly took the lead.
Maddox brought the ball through the middle of the park before Kelly-Evans stepped into his path. Potential for a foul (have seen them given, have seen them waved away). In this case play carried on with the ball quickly moved to Walker in space. As the Martyrs had been on the attack, a high line meant that Harris and Margetson were left alone at the back. Walker slipped a through ball to the advancing Stenson and despite Harris trying to get back, he coolly slotted past Cogman. A blow but the visitors deserved their lead. Merthyr 1 – 2 AFC Telford.
You could just feel the atmosphere changing in Penydarren Park and Owen almost made it worse but he was unable to keep his shot down at the back post. Watts and Humphries were introduced and slowly the home side started to find their rhythm again. Maddox was played in behind and had the chance to shoot, but chose to square the ball which was cleared. Good work from Watts on the right allowed Simpson to shoot from distance, before Watts again played in Spiers. Despite this, Lambert continually found himself in space on the left and Telford were more than happy to set him off down the wing at any opportunity.
Merthyr found the equaliser on 76 minutes, much to the delight/relief of the home supporters. Wigley was played in on the left by Maddox and his pace took him past Curley into the box. As everyone expected him to shoot, he stepped back inside of two defenders before curling his shot past Benjamin into the top right corner. What a finish and what a signing he is turning out to be. Merthyr 2 – 2 AFC Telford.
A minute later Spiers was put through but his shot crashed against the post before a last ditch challenge stopped a clear shot on goal for the visitors. A late penalty shout was waved away and it was a point apiece for both sides.
Full Time: Merthyr 2 – 2 AFC Telford
On reflection a fair result. A bit disappointing to not be further ahead after a dominant first half, but Telford were like a different team in the second half and certainly put us under pressure for a long spell. A point is a point and all eyes now turn to South Shields on Saturday.
Man of the Match – Nye Livermore was superb in the middle of the park. He broke up play, some crunching tackles and put us on the front foot numerous times. A great performance.
UP THE TOWN
Gavin Burns
