MERTHYR v Sholing

Updates here (although I'm out and about tonight)

Team: Cutlan, Williams, A Griffiths, Rewbury, Colborne, Harris, Newman, Cornwall, Prosser, Preen, Traylor. Subs: Davies, Jones, M Griffiths, Newall, Howe

1 down header from corner 9mins

1-1 Cornwall tap in far post following corner 15mins

Martyrs 2-1 DOWN at H.T

2-2 now, Preen

Not heard anything so I presume it's still 2-2

2-2 F.T according to Twitter horrible to watch #shitperformance

Final score was 2-2. Poor first half, good second half.

Eleven points behind Poole Town now, both played 17.

Soz - phone trouble. Yep, 2-2 f/t.

cliffyboy Today at 9:37 pm

.2-2 F.T according to Twitter horrible to watch #shitperformance

The only shit performance was by the ref he was diabolical

Tonight's team:

Cutlan;
Williams,Rewbury,Colborne,A.Griffiths;
Preen,Harris,Newman,Traylor;
Cornwall,Prosser;

Subs:
Newall for A. Griffiths after about 35 minutes
Howe for Colborne at half time
Davies
Jones
M.Griffiths

Andrew Thomas was there but not in the squad. It was another change in formation today - to 4-4-2. We started with Garyn Preen on the right and Ian Traylor on the left, but apart from the start of each half they spent most of the match the other way around.

After about 7 minutes a good free kick by Sholing 25 yards out was well tipped over the bar by Giles Cutlan. The corner led to an even better save from a fierce 20-yard shot, but from this further corner Cutlan was beaten to the ball for a header as Sholing took the lead. They were close to a second just 2 minutes later when a cross from the right saw an attacker get in a diving header which went just wide of the far post.

On about 11 minutes Jamie Rewbury was beaten just outside the area on the left and a shot was fired in for Giles Cutlan to push it away from the foot of the post. But we got the equaliser following a good run down the right by Ryan Prosser to win a corner. This led to another one, taken by Ryan Newman on the right, which found its way to Aaron Cornwall at the far post for him to have an easy tap-in.

After about 21 minutes Sholing ought to have scored when they broke down the right. The ball was crossed in as we were rather stretched, and a player had a free header 7 yards out which drew a brilliant save from Giles Cutlan.

After about 35 minutes Jon Newall came on in a straight swap for Alun Griffiths, although he didn't seem to be injured. Just 2 minutes later Newall brought a man down just outside the area (Sholing claimed it was inside), and the free kick was hit inside the far top corner to give them the lead again.

2-1 to Sholing was a fair scoreline at half time, in fact they probably should have been even further ahead, always looking dangerous in attack. Most of our attempts at scoring had been rather tame efforts, and neither of our two wide men had been really effective.

For the second half Jack Howe replaced Gary Colborne, although again it wasn't clear why. He went to left back, with Jon Newall in the centre.

We began to come more into the game in the second half and got the equaliser after about 66 minutes. A ball from the right reached Garyn Preen on the edge of the area, and he took his time, turning the ball onto his left foot to place a good shot inside the far post.

The nearest we came to another goal was just a couple of minutes later when Matthew Harris sent in a left-foot shot which was pushed away by the keeper.

Overall it was a fair result. In the first half Sholing looked as good a side as any we've played at Penydarren Park this season, and could have had the game won by half time. In the second half. they were generally restricted to long range shots (although we could never afford to relax), with Giles Cutlan having a great deal less to do. We played a lot better then, and I must say I couldn't see that the pitch was having much of an effect on our style of play.

Between Giles Cutlan, for keeping us in the game in the first half, and Matthew Harris for man of the match. I thought Aaron Cornwall fitted in well, and he won't have an easier goal than the one he got today. Garyn Preen took his well, but had a disappointing first half. Ian Traylor was more his usual self in the second half, but couldn't seem to get going before the break. Although Sholing were less of a threat in the second half we still had to be on our toes in defence, and I thought Jon Newall did as well as anybody.

Although Sholing are bottom of the league it's worth pointing out they've played a lot fewer games than anyone else, and on the evidence of tonight's performance from them they'll start climbing the table when they start to catch up on their fixtures.

I understand that Andrew Thomas arrived late. Gary Colborne went off as he was suffering from flu.
Sholing were by far the better team in the opening half. Merthyr did improve considerably but a draw was fair. Yet again, a Tuesday night home fixture has brought disappointment.
The second Sholing goal from the free-kick looked like finding the net as soon as the ball left the player's foot. The foul by Newall was definitely outside the penalty area but the Sholing player made a meal of it, landing some considerable way from the incident.
Cornwall showed some neat touches, distributing the ball quickly whereas sometimes we tend to hold on to it for too long in midfield, until possession is eventually lost.
This was Sholing's second away point from six games this season. Their management feel that they will get out of relegation trouble. We have played worse sides than them this season.
Ian Traylor did have a rather subdued game. I thought Ryan Prosser did well.
The last three games of this year should be important.

Sholing were happy to stay late for their food and drink after the game. In fact, by 10,30, most of the people left in the Candac Suite (after another poor midweek attendance) were Sholing players and officials.

Poole Town won 4-0 in their second successive away game and look a good bet for the top spot at the end of the season. I think they are more geared up for promotion than Hungerford who struggle to get gates of 100 at the best.
Merthyr are still poised for a play-off spot but a big improvement is needed at home and I don't agree that the pitch is a major hindrance (despite its shortcomings). Yate Town managed to beat us twice anyway!

Tim Drummond wrote:Sholing were happy to stay late for their food and drink after the game. In fact, by 10,30, most of the people left in the Candac Suite (after another poor midweek attendance) were Sholing players and officials.

And me!

Tim Drummond wrote:Poole Town won 4-0 in their second successive away game and look a good bet for the top spot at the end of the season. I think they are more geared up for promotion than Hungerford who struggle to get gates of 100 at the best.
Merthyr are still poised for a play-off spot but a big improvement is needed at home and I don't agree that the pitch is a major hindrance (despite its shortcomings). Yate Town managed to beat us twice anyway!

Poole Town were the pre season favourites to win this league, bookies are normally right!

And Sholing were quoted as 8/1 2nd favourites.

Sholing have started shocking this season last season they were one of the best teams, whats happened??

Sholing have had a poor start but, as stated above, they have played fewer games than any other team. They certainly aren't the worst team in the league on what I have seen so far!
The trouble for Merthyr now is that they have to meet a really on-form Swindon Supermarine on Saturday. On the other hand, Swindon have to lose sometime (NB Cardiff to Peterborough) and Merthyr tend to play better against the top teams (well, away at least)!