Worksop 3 – Merthyr 5: Cawley Cox hattrick seals another win on the road in eight goal thriller

Worksop Town 3 – 5 Merthyr Town

Waterfall 14′	Cox 22′, 31′, 90′
Redford 19′	Smerdon 45+2′
Martin 51′	Twamley 63′

A superb Cawley Cox hattrick was the difference as the Martyrs won an eight goal thriller in front of 70 Merthyr fans on a bitterly cold day at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium.

Paul Michael slightly tweaked the team from the win against Kings Lynn, with Jay Williams slotting into the backline for Calum Ryan-Phillips, Cole Jarvis continuing up top and Cawley Cox replacing Brandon Smalley.

It was the home side that started the quickest, with Whitham firing over in the first minute from the left hand side of the box. The Tigers continued to pin the Martyrs back and were putting Cogman under pressure from high balls at every opportunity.

The home side should have taken the lead on 11 minutes but were denied by superb defending by both Cogman and Smerdon. A shot was drilled at close range to Cogman’s left and he was able to get down to make a fantastic save, with the ball hitting the bar and the rebound falling to the incoming Martin. Smerdon was on hand to make a last gasp block from a yard out and to deny a certain goal – fans on both sides couldn’t believe the ball wasn’t in the back of the net.

A few minutes later Worksop made their pressure pay with the opening goal. An inswinging corner from the right was met by Waterfall at the back post, who got above Harris and put his header into the bottom corner. Worksop 1 – 0.

The Tigers continued to push forward and were rewarded with their second on 19 minutes when the ball was played through midfield, before Whitham was given time to put in a dangerous cross into the box. Redford was on hand to flick his header into the bottom left corner, a great finish. A blow to the Martyrs who had yet to get going. Worksop 2- 0.

It was this goal that seemed to spark the away side into life and a different team were now on the ball. The midfield were confidently playing around the press and started to turn the defensive line for the first real time. It was from this that Evans played a delightful defence splitting ball to put Cox through on goal, which was coolly finished to Forshaw’s left. Game on. Worksop 2 – 1 Merthyr.

Twamley had a couple of half chances but was unable to test Forshaw, whilst the Tigers were trying to counter attack down the right at any opportunity. The Martyrs were now comfortably recycling possession and patiently waiting for their opening which came just after the half hour mark. Handley played the ball into Twamley, who skipped inside Hall before driving into the box taking three defenders with him – his turn on a six pence was laid off to Handley, whose shot from the edge of the box was saved by Forshaw, with Cox on hand to put the rebound high into the net. Worksop 2 – 2 Merthyr.

Just before the break Twamley was again denied by a great tip over the bar from Forshaw, after good hold up play from Jarvis. The resulting corner was swung into the back post, with Smerdon ghosting in between Hall and Burrow for a free header to give Merthyr the lead to the delight of the away support. Worksop 2 – 3 Merthyr.

A bonkers 45 minutes for both sides. Worksop were definitely good value for their 2 – 0 lead, but Merthyr certainly grew into the game after 20 minutes and showed great character to come back into the game.

Half Time: Worksop 2 – 3 Merthyr

It was Worksop that started the stronger after the break, with Martin going close early on but his shot flashed past Cogman’s right post. Martin was continuing to be a nuisance and his hard work paid off with an equaliser on 51 minutes after Woods put in a great cross with his powerful header unable to be stopped by Cogman’s hand. All square again. Worksop 3 – 3 Merthyr.

The Tigers, buoyed by the equaliser, went in search for another with Martin and Hall both going close but were unable to get their shots on target. Despite the pressure, Merthyr were probing for an opening which came just after the hour mark. Jarvis played Cox through and the onrushing Forshaw pushed Cox wide, who squared it to Twamley who slotted past the keeper with his right(!) foot before going straight to the away fans to celebrate behind the goal. Worksop 3 – 4 Merthyr.

Worksop went searching for another(!) equaliser, with the majority of their chances continuing to come through Hall & Martin. It was Hall who was the closest, with his shot well saved by Cogman before O’Malley blazed over the bar. The home side were reduced to 10 men when Martin kicked out at Williams off the ball and was shown a straight red, which gave them a mountain to climb. 

Cox completed his hattrick from another set piece, with a deft flick at the front post from a corner in the 90th minute to get the match ball (hopefully he got it back!) and cap off an eight goal thriller.

What a game! Despite the first 20 minutes, the Martyrs were well worth the win against a good Worksop side. 

All eyes are now on Saturday as Peterborough Sports visit Penydarren Park, where we hope to continue putting pressure on the top 2.

Gavin Burns