| Merthyr Town 2 – 1 Macclesfield FC Attendance 1,589 National League North – Matchday 7 Penydarren Park, Merthyr |
| Foulston 83′ | George 55′ |
| Watts 90+2′ |
As a football fan there are games and/or moments which you will forever remember and say “I was there”. For some of the people reading this it will be the famous Merthyr vs Atalanta game in ‘87. For others it will be Traylor at Frome, Gav Williams vs Cirencester or Sommers vs Farnborough . One thing is for sure, for the 1,589 in attendance who witnessed Elis Watts channel his inner Paulo Di Canio, that is a goal that will long live in the memory. Possibly the best goal ever scored at Penydarren Park?
A goal worthy of winning any game. A goal that has had tens of thousands of views online and a goal that Elis probably can’t even believe himself. Can you win the Puskas in non league? And for Macclesfield it was a case of Deja Vu as they conceded another screamer against Merthyr.
The Martyrs came into this game against the unbeaten league leaders, desperate to earn points which have been hard to come by despite their positive performances both home and away. A tweaked XI from last week’s loss to Buxton with Lucas, Harris, Smerdon and Watts moving to the bench for Maddox, Kieran Evans, Humphries and Spiers.
In what feels like a copy and paste from most weeks, Merthyr started the fastest and strongest (as usual), with Morgan Wigley showing his intent to get at the Silkmen’s defence within the first minute, dragging Dyer all the way down to the by line before a desperate block set up an early corner which was easily cleared by the visitors.
Maddox was sharp and caught out Heathcote dithering on the ball at the back, but his nod on was just slightly too far in front of him which allowed Dibble to dash out to the edge of the area to claim the ball. This had set the tempo for the first 15 minutes where it was attack after attack from the Martyrs. Spiers whipped in a superb ball for the rising Kane at the back post, before Wigley’s low strike was off target.
Despite the early pressure, the Silkmen were sharp on the break with Shrimpton dropping deep and setting up a number of attacks. The visitors were very unlucky not to take the lead when the ball found its way from the right to Wilson in the centre of the box – his low shot saved by Cogman’s leg which was a let off, before Duffy fired high and wide moments later.
Despite the Martyrs dominance, they were unable to convert their pressure into goals and slowly but surely Macclesfield got more and more into the game. Osborne and Shrimpton were now seeing a lot more of the ball in the middle of the park – with George continually battling with Margetson at every opportunity.
Kane and Maddox both had shots blocked by some last ditch defending as the half came to a close – who knew what the second half would bring.
Half Time: Merthyr 2 – 1 Macclesfield
Merthyr started well and were now looking to drop balls over the top of the Silkmen’s high line. The majority of success was coming through Spiers, whose delivery into the box was again top notch.
Despite the early pressure, it was the visitors who took the lead after Cogman went up for a high ball, and despite getting both hands on it, the challenge meant it came loose and George was on hand to tap home from close range. Gutting. Merthyr 0 – 1 Macclesfield.
Nobody in the ground could quite believe that we were now chasing the game. Paul Michael immediately brought on Elis Watts and Iwan John and the momentum slowly started to change. Watts was keen to get the ball down and get the defence on the back foot.
The Martyrs were knocking on the door for an equaliser with Maddox firing over from a corner and Margerson’s header easily saved by Dibble. The Silkmen were sat back but quick on the counter, shown none more than by Duffy who chased a lost ball which seemed to be going out of play by the dug out. Even with the pressure of John, he skipped inside and ran the length of the pitch before sliding in Shrimpton whose shot was tipped inches wide by Cogman.
Finally the equaliser came on 83 minutes when a period of sustained pressure allowed Jack Evans to whip in a delightful ball from the right, with Foulston rising above everyone to head home past a stranded Dibble. A great header and that is now 2 in 2 for Foulston. Game on. Merthyr 1 – 1 Macclesfield.
It was now all Merthyr as they came forward wave after wave and the winner finally came in the 92nd minute. The ball was played down the right to Spiers on the right who was able to flick it past Dyer into the box. As John and Wilson battled for the ball, it looped up away from goal to the lurking Watts who settled himself before launching a scissor kick with his left foot straight into the far left top corner. Que the “roof” being lifted off Penydarren Park, pints in the air, Elis waving his shirt around his head with players and fans celebrating in the corner. Goal of the Season wrapped up in September.
A spectacular goal and as much as I rack my brains, probably one of (if not the) best I have ever seen live. Elis Di Canio he shall now be crowned.
Full Time: Merthyr 2 – 1 Macclesfield
A huge win for the Martyrs, inflicting the first defeat of the season on Macclesfield. It is nothing more than the lads deserve, particularly after the last few weeks and you could see what it meant at full time. It doesn’t get any easier as we travel to Chester on Tuesday evening – let’s hope for another positive result, especially after last season’s last minute equaliser.
Up the Town!
Gavin Burns
