| Merthyr Town FC 7 – 1 Bedford Town FC |
| Garrick 6′, 30′ | Ebanks 4′ |
| Cox 29′ | |
| Twamley 54′ | |
| Handley 64′ | |
| Rai 80′ | |
| Xavier-Jones 90′ |
Merthyr Town turned on the style as they blew Bedford Town away with a seven goal performance to get their playoff push firmly back on track.
The best part of being a football fan is the unknown. You turn up on a Saturday afternoon full of hope but who knows what you will see. A damaging loss. A battling draw. But there are times when you will see a win that leaves you skipping out of the ground like a little child. Today was one of those days as Merthyr absolutely dominated a Bedford team that opened the scoring early on but fell by the wayside to a rampant Merthyr side, who banished their mid season blip in style.
There was only the one forced change from the draw at Kidderminster midweek, with the injured Jaimie Cogman being replaced by loan signing Jake Dennis from Cardiff City. Prior to kick off there was a fantastic minutes applause following the passing of Wayne Cooper (Mack), Ian O’Keffe and Peter Morris by all in attendance.
The first four minutes of the game were all Merthyr as they settled the quickest and were enjoying early possession. Smerdon found himself in space on the left (a theme for the game), chipping a cross over Luthra but was unable to find Garrick. A quick break from Bedford allowed Marsh to pick up the ball on the left, before slotting a neat ball across to Ebanks who coolly finished past Dennis from the edge of the area. A disaster of a start for the home side. Merthyr 0 – 1 Bedford
It took all of a minute for the Martyrs to respond, with Kieran Evans playing a diagonal ball out to Smerdon on the left in acres of space – he was able to square the ball across the box to Garrick for an easy finish from a few yards out. A great response. Merthyr 1 – 1 Bedford
From here onwards the Martyrs enjoyed a sustained period of possession, passing the ball with ease as the visitors struggled to put any real pressure on the homeside. Ryan-Phillips was unlucky not to put Merthyr in the lead on 13 minutes as his header from a Twamley corner was saved at point blank range, before Cox fired over after good hold up play from Garrick.
Dennis needed to be on his guard and was called into action as Castiglione fired a dangerous ball across the box, before Marsh fired wide. Bedford should have taken the lead for a second time as the ball was cut back from the left to the free Castiglione, but a mix up meant Ebanks stepped in front and took the ball before mishitting it wide. A let off.
From here onwards it was all Merthyr. The impressive Twamley was at his dribbling best after picking up the ball and gliding past the Eagles midfield, before toying with Maja on the right of the box. A dangerous ball was put across the 6 yard box which Garrick was unable to connect with but Cox was waiting at the back post to hammer home from a few yards. Merthyr 2 – 1 Bedford
The Martyrs were now rampant and scored less than a minute later. Moncur was put through on the left by a long ball and was able to find Gyamfi who was lurking on the edge of the D. The impressive Jay Williams threw his body in front of the shot with a brave block, allowing the rebound to be picked up and Merthyr to counter on the left through Smerdon. In a flash the ball was fizzed across to Garrick waiting at the back post, who took his time to fire high into the net for his second of the match. Scintillating. Merthyr 3 – 1 Bedford
To Bedford’s credit they continued to push and had a few half chances before the break, with both Marsh and Ebanks trying to get the Eagles back into the game but the Martyrs defence (particularly Ryan-Phillips and Williams) were not giving them an inch. Twamley and Spiers also went close but that was the end of a breathless first half. A fantastic 45 minutes of football from the home side who looked back to their best.
Halftime: Merthyr 3 – 1 Bedford
The second half started as the first ended, with the Martyrs looking to build on their two goal lead. Cox had a glorious chance to get his second of the day, after Twamley was able to thread a ball though the defence but Luthra got a hand to it at point blank range to deny a certain goal.
Shortly after on 54 minutes up stepped Lewys Twamley to add to his numerous goal of the season contenders. Williams put a floated ball up top allowing Garrick to deftly touch before laying off to Twamley from about 25 yards out. A quick touch, before using his wand of a left peg to bend it into the top corner. Absolutely sensational. Merthyr 4 – 1 Bedford
Bedford were now on the ropes and Merthyr were not giving them a second to settle on the ball – it became one way traffic and was only a matter of time before Merthyr got their 5th. This came on 64 minutes after Dennis found Twamley on the right with a quick throw before feeding Cox who had pulled both of the CBs with him. Despite not being able to get his shot off, he played in Garrick who slotted across to Handley at the back post whose initial shot was saved, before putting in the rebound with his head. Merthyr 5 – 1 Bedford
Brown was making himself busy for the visitors but his effort was in vain as the Martyrs continued to launch attack after attack – with Mensah being pulled pillar to post at times and no doubt couldn’t wait for the final whistle. Xavier-Jones was close to making it six but was unable to round Luthra, before one of the best team goals you will see at PP was scored.
It started with Dennis and finished with Rai – Merthyr kept hold of possession for a continued period, much to the ole’s from the crowd. Patience was the name of the game as the Martyrs moved the Eagles players with ease, their slick passing continuing to make Bedford chase shadows. After what seemed like 96,529 passes, Xavier-Jones slipped in Twamley on the right who then casually sent it across to Rai at the far post to tap in. Sexy Paul Michael ball at its finest. Merthyr 6 – 1 Bedford
There was enough time for Merthyr to make it seven in the dying moments, with that man Twamley involved (again!) as he dragged/toyed/baited (take your pick) Cole all the way from the halfway into the box – his shot was saved well by Luthra but Xavier-Jones was on hand to slot in the rebound. Merthyr 7 – 1 Bedford
Fulltime: Merthyr 7 – 1 Bedford
What a performance – if anyone wants to know the definition of Paul Michael ball, that is it. There were some grumbles after four losses on the bounce (unjustified if you ask me), but to back up the solid point on the road at Aggborough on Tuesday to then dismantling Bedford cannot be underestimated. Every single player put in an unbelievable shift – same again on Saturday at Alfreton please drive.
Some highlights on a day to remember;
Twamley with a goal of the season contender and 4(!) assists
Garrick with 2 goals and 2 assists
Rai, Xavier-Jones & Handley coming off the bench to score
Williams & Ryan-Phillips were immense at the back
Its not the first time I have said it – WE. ARE. CLASS.
UP THE TOWN
Gavin Burns
