It was a case of ‘deja vu’ as Merthyr Town conceded in injury time twice within four days as Spennymoor came from two goals down to snatch all three points at Penydarren Park.
Despite being ahead 2 – 0 through Kiban Rai and Cawley Cox, the Moors fought back through Dolan and Mondal before Taylor’s diving header secured an unlikely win. Whilst the result leaves the Martyrs still 3rd in National League North (just), there can be no doubt that this past week has been testing for staff, players and fans alike.
Will Spiers was welcomed back into the XI following his injury as Paul Michael went for a different set up than regularly used, with Xavier-Jones, Cox and Williams moving to the bench, Maddox playing in the 10 role, Rai starting on the left and Matty Harris back at CB.
In contrast to Tuesday’s game against Chester it was the Martyrs who came out of the block firing and opened the scoring on 7 minutes, with Alex John lifting the ball over the backline to the advancing Rai. Despite James rushing off his line, Rai cooly lobbed the ball into the bottom left of the net. A great start. Merthyr 1 – 0 Spennymoor.
Rai could (and probably should) have doubled the Martyrs lead on 13 minutes, connecting with Twamley’s great cross but he could not get his free header on target – getting a knock in the process which meant he unfortunately had to go off soon after.
The Moors had a solid 5 minute spell as they went searching for the equaliser. McKeown was the first to test Cogman, with his flicked header comfortably saved before Taylor fired from distance but was wide of the post. McKeown was growing into the game and a last ditch Lee Lucas tackle on the edge of the area was enough to stop a great run from the halfway line. Cogman was again called into action, scrambling across his line to save a deflected shot off Jack Evans.
Maddox had a golden opportunity to put Merthyr ahead after being played through on goal – despite having time to place his shot, he went low and the onrushing James gratefully claimed the ball. Handley hit the bar not long after from a Lucas corner, a brilliant set piece allowing space at the back post but couldn’t keep his volley down – the Martyrs were free flowing and should have been at least 3 – 0 ahead.
McKeown missed a huge opportunity from close range before Twamley tried to bend his shot in from the edge of the area, but it whistled past the post.
A great first half from Merthyr despite only being one goal ahead. The question on everyone’s mind – can we hold on to the lead in the second half.
Half Time: Merthyr Town 1 – 0 Sp’Moor
All was well early in the second half after Cawley Cox’s shot from the left was deflected off Pollock to beat the wrong footed James. This was a goal that was coming and was hoped to give the Moors a mountain to climb. Merthyr 2 – 0 Spennymoor.
This second goal seemed to shift the momentum to the visitors and they almost scored immediately through Dyson, but he was unable to keep his shot down. The Moors were now playing through the Merthyr midfield and backline with ease and five minutes later they got their first through player/manager Matty Dolan. Unable to clear their lines, Spennymoor recycled the ball on the left, with Ramshaw playing in McKeown inside the box who drove towards the byline before cutting back to Dolan to slot past Cogman. Merthyr 2 – 1 Spennymoor.
The Martyrs were now living dangerously and every ball was quickly coming back towards the home defence. Mondal had a great chance to equal the score but was unable to get clear contact. As the game went on, Merthyr were getting pinned back and Salkeld (who had come on as a sub) was continuing to have acres of space on the right hand wing. The equaliser came through Salkeld, after a long ball found him, an easy touch and squared across to Mondal to tap home from close range. Merthyr 2 – 2 Spennymoor.
Now it was backs against the wall and we were desperate to see the game out. Heaney struck the crossbar from distance with a fierce strike before another loose pass was picked up by Mondal who shot wide.
The Moors midfield continued to have room to pick their passes and no sooner had the fourth official shown the board, Dyson picked out Salkeld on the right who had been left to his own devices. A little step inside Handley, before shifting to his right foot to fire in another ball across the box to the back post – where Taylor was ghosting in to meet it with a diving header to complete the comeback. Merthyr 2 – 3 Spennymoor.
Full Time: Merthyr 2 – 3 Sp’Moor
As the final whistle sounded the home side were on deck in disbelief as the fans filtered out as quick as they could. A disappointing week which can be partially explained by the amount of injuries the team is carrying, as per the post match interview. However, as a defensive unit it needs to get back on track and quickly as we face the long trip to South Shields, before a break and then the final run of 6 games.
Playoffs still in our hands……….let’s keep it that way.
UTT
Gavin Burns
