MERTHYR v Bridgwater

Updates here (I hope!)

Team: Cutlan Williams Howe Thomas Griffiths A Rewbury Harris Cornwall Griffiths M Shephard Long.
Subs Newman Traylor Colborne Prosser Jones.

Only 4 starters from yesterday!

1 up! Harris low shot along the floor from 20 yards 8mins. We had already hit the post.

1-0 up Harris

22nd min sub. Williams off injured and Jones on

2-0 Shep 42nd min

2-0! Shepherd 42nd min. Well done to the old fella!!

H/t 2-0

2-0 Half Time

56th min sub. Rewbury off and Colbourne on

3-0 Alex Long 75th min

3-0! Alex Long with his first for the club in the 75th min

4-0 Traylor 80th min

77th min sub. Traylor on and Harris off

4-0! Traylor 80mins.

Full Time 4-0

F/t 4-0!

Up to 3rd, one point ahead of Swindon SM but they have a game in hand over us.

Today's team:

Cutlan;
Williams,Thomas,Rewbury,Howe;
Harris,A.Griffiths;
M.Griffiths,Shephard,Cornwall,Long;

Subs:
Jones for Williams (injured) after about 20 minutes
Colborne for Rewbury after about 55 minutes
Traylor for Harris after about 78 minutes
Newman
Prosser

As rather expected there were several changes from yesterday, with only 3 outfield players who started both games. A surprise was Garry Shephard in the starting lineup - also that we were in our away strip for some reason.

Our first opening came after about 7 minutes - a long cross from Matthew Harris reached Marcus Griffiths at the far post but he couldn't make proper contact with it. A minute later a well-hit 20-yard shot from Alex Long was pushed onto the post and away by the Bridgwater keeper. A further minute after that we took the lead - Marcus Griffiths had a shot blocked, but Matthew Harris hammered the loose ball in from 20 yards.

Steve Williams only lasted 20 minutes before having to go off, seemingly with his hamstring trouble. Luke Jones came on to play right back.

It was about 25 minutes before Giles Cutlan had anything to do - a routine catch to a header from a free kick.

About 3 minutes before half time Marcus Griffiths put the ball over the bar from close range following a corner, but a minute later the game was practically over when Luke Jones sent a ball across from the right for Garry Shephard to turn it into the net.

While we weren't able to relax in the same way as against Winchester we'd not looked in any real trouble with Giles Cutlan having little to do, as when Bridgwater did threaten they couldn't manage to get a shot on target.

About 10 minutes into the second half, Jamie Rewbury, who'd played all the game yesterday was given a rest, with Gary Colborne coming on.

After about 63 minutes Giles Cutlan made his second save of the match - from a free kick. We ought to have scored after about 68 minutes when Alun Griffiths put Alex Long away on the left of the area. He clipped the ball into the middle, causing confusion in the Bridgwater defence, but with Marcus Griffiths unable to take advantage the ball was eventually cleared for a corner.

About 5 minutes after that it was 3-0. Aaron Cornwall ran at the defence, and when his shot was blocked Alex Long got to the ball, took it on and slotted it past the keeper from 10 yards. Long was in action again a minute later when he robbed a defender and put the ball across the 6-yard line - but just behind Marcus Griffiths.

Matthew Harris was the next player to be given a rest, being replaced by Ian Traylor as Aaron Cornwall dropped back to midfield and Marcus Griffiths moved off the wing into the middle.

About 3 minutes later, there was more good work by Aaron Cornwall down the left, as he crossed the ball for Ian Traylor to head in just past the near post and give the scoreline a more reasonable look at 4-0.

Only in the last few minutes did we look in any trouble, Giles Cutlan having to make his first serious save after a Bridgwater player ran at the defence.

I don't know how Bridgwater's team compared to their lineup yesterday, but it was a bit like the Taunton game - with an end-of-season air about the visitors. It really showed the strength of our squad, and 4-0 was a minimum reflection of the balance of play. We perhaps could have made it more with steadier finishing - especially from Marcus Griffiths.

I made Matthew Harris man of the match, but Aaron Cornwall had another good game, and so did Alun Griffiths in midfield, where he and Harris were easily able to cope with today's opposition. Alex Long certainly had a good debut, and his shot early in the game deserved a goal.

We now can't finish lower than 4th, which gives us at least a chance of being at home in the play-off final if we get to it. It remains to be seen if we can finish above Swindon and/or Hungerford and get a home game in the semi-final. Thanks to our goal difference - improved even further today! - Swindon need to win their game in hand to go above us.

We were in our away strip today as our home kit hadn't dried after yesterday! Willo felt a twinge and was substituted to prevent further damage but he should be OK. 6 points with an aggregate score of 7-1 ain't a bad weekend's work and Gary & Danny used the squad well, giving some players valuable game time and sensible substitutions to rest as many of the lads that they could. The first half display was a marked improvement on yesterday's and maybe the extra moisture on the pitch after the drizzle made the ball easier to move around, although to be fair, Wimborne looked a much better side than Bridgwater who looked, quite frankly, knackered. That's taking away nothing from today's performance and we were at our efficient best outside the box and with a bit more luck and better finishing we could have doubled our score. Matthew scored with an excellent shot, all along the ground which gave their keeper no chance. Scouser sent in an excellent cross for Sheppy to finish with aplomb and it shows that the Gaffer still has it and both of his goals this season have been against Wimborne. He lasted the full 90 minutes and probably won't be able to walk tomorrow!

It was great to see Alex Long score in his first full game, after being very unlucky in the 1st half when the keeper pushed his good shot onto the post. He looks a very useful acquisition who has skill and is also prepared to put himself about for the team. Traylor's goal was the icing on the cake after an excellent cross by Aza. What this weekend does show is the strength in depth of our squad, particularly when you take into account that Nathan, Leekie and presumably Preeny weren't available through injury and Badger, who has been playing well, not involved.

For us supporters it's probably great to see 2 games in as many days but no doubt the players would disagree with that but they have produced the goods. We've a couple of hard games coming up with Abingdon, who have had some good results recently, on Tuesday and then Yate on Saturday, who may have gone off the rails recently but they won't lie down. We also have to hope that Swindon drop the odd point or two so we can have a home draw for the Play Off Semi Final.

Onwards & Upwards.

Yes, Bridgwater were saying afterwards how they had played six games in eight days. I don't know if any of the players actually played in all of them but a fixture glut of that kind is tough for any club.
Some of their substitutes seemed quite young. At the back, they defended determinedly but it was largely relentless Merthyr pressure which could have resulted in more goals but 17 from three home matches not a bad return.
Cornwall was busy throughout and Shep did well. Quite a surprise to see him on the field.
Merthyr made so many changes in the starting line-up but there was no weak link and a comprehensive win.

For me, in spite of other good performances notably by Cornwall, it was Shep who was MOTM. He must have been very ring-rusty and it showed once or twice, but he competed for every ball, showed the occasional surprising turn of speed and showed that he still has class by the way he effortlessly swept the ball into the net for the second goal. He also seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit! Who knows if it will be his last appearance in the team? If it was, it's very pleasing that he got on the scoresheet.

Sadly I could not be there for the game today...but it is good to hear there is life in the old sea dog yet....like steino he has always had an eye for goal...let's hope poole can do us a favour and take a few points off marine.....boz

Aaron Cornwall was outstanding with good performances from Matty H and Alun Grif , Alex Long looks a superb prospect . Could have easliy doubled the score . Fairplay to the Brdigewater lads should allot of pride and commitment in their performance despite the crazy playing schedule they've had . Onwards and upwards for the lads .

I missed Saturdays game as I was at the caravan, but got home in time to watch Sundays game, and thoroughly enjoyed it, thought that we were the much better team, and deserving of at least another three goals.

Now looking forward to watching a mid week play off, (home or away).
Because of being away at the caravan on weekends at the start and end of the season, and also a commitment to doing a house renovation, I have not been able to watch as many games this season as I would have liked; but now fingers crossed I will be able to watch a lot more games next season when hopefully we will be back where we belong, in the Southern League Premier!