MERTHYR v Bridport

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Perry williams dorrian thomas thomas clarke leek leahy prosser griffiths armitage subs newell smith steins

1 down 31mins

h/t 0-1

Equaliser 48mins 1-1 Armitage

2-1 Steins 80mins

2-2 straight from kick-off

f/t 2-2

Today's team:

Perry;
Williams,J.Thomas,Andrew Thomas,Dorrian;
Griffiths,Leek,Clarke,Armitage;
Leahy,Prosser;

Subs:
Stiens for Leahy after about 58 minutes
Smith for Williams after about 69 minutes
Newall for Clarke after about 85 minutes

Although needing to win to stand any chance of promotion Bridport lined up with 5 men at the back, presumably hoping to catch us on the break.

For the first 15 minutes or so we couldn't find a way through the Bridport defence, with the best we could manage being a shot well off target from Scott Armitage.

But after about 20 minutes we came very close when a right wing corner from Marcus Griffiths was met with a downward header by Andrew Thomas which bounced up and clipped the bar as it went over. Two minutes later Marcus Griffiths worked his way into the area on the right and had a shot blocked at the near post, the ball running for Bridport to clear it. A few minutes after that, when we had a corner cleared Dean Clarke crossed the ball back in for Jamie Thomas to head down to Andrew Thomas close to the far post, but he had his shot saved when he perhaps oughht to have scored.

But after about 32 minutes, and very much against the run of play, Bridport took the lead when a cross from the right was met by a diving header at the near post.

After about 38 minutes Joe Leahy turned the ball into the net at the far post after a header across goal, but he was given offside.

The half time scoreline rather flattered Bridport, as we had not made the most of the opportunities we did manage to create against a defensive side.

There was a lacklustre start to the second half, with it really looking like the end of the season, but after about 50 minutes Scott Armitage livened things up with an individual goal. Receiving the ball on the left he cut inside, brought the ball on, and finished with a shot just inside the far post for an equaliser at a good time.

Less than 10 minutes into the half Craig Stiens replaced Joe Leahy up front. About 5 minutes later a ball in from the left by Ryan Dorrian found Scott Armitage for him to hit in a shot which the keeper did well to push past the post.

After about 69 minutes Steve Williams, who had been returning after injury, was replaced by Leigh Smith. He played on the right with Marcus Griffiths dropping to right back.

After about 85 minutes it looked as if we'd won the match when Ryan Prosser headed the ball on for Craig Stiens to battle past a couple of defenders to give himself the chance to hit the ball into the net from 8 yards. Jon Newall was immediately brought on for Dean Clarke, going to right back, with Marcus Griffiths going forward again with Leigh Smith in midfield. Whether rearranging things following the substitution disrupted us I don't know, but straight from the restart Bridport levelled the scores again.

A couple of minutes from the end Ryan Prosser almost won the game when he got in a shot from the left of the area which the goalkeeper just tipped over the bar.

So, as with the 2002/03 Western Division championship season we finished with a 2-2 draw. It wasn't as lacklustre a display as against Roman Glass a couple of weeks ago, and we ought really to have won if we'd made the most of our chances, despite Bridport's tight defence. But we reached the 90 point mark, and the 118 goals is the highest Merthyr total since 1951/52.

Considering there was nothing at stake for us the second highest attendance of the season (389) was really encouraging. Let's hope they all come back next season at Penydarren Park.

I enjoyed yesterday's game which we should have won as we created a lot more chances than Bridport and their second goal was probably as a result of us still congratulating ourselves on taking the lead and switching off.

Still a great season and thanks are due to Malcolm for his excellent match reports on the forum and for his hard work with the programme. Hopefully it'll be an award winner.

yes so did i,credit to bridport for keeping going to the final whistle having heard the half time score at oldland.spoke to some of their supporters and a lovely sociable set they were and a nice gesture again from their team to line up to welcome our team on to the field.m.o.m for me today yet again kris leek.

One of the main reasons that we failed to win yesterday was the marking of Ryan Prosser by their Number 6 - Ryan Hayter according to the programme.

He kept Ryan very quiet and although a lot shorter was excellent in the air against him.

Stieno showed that extra experience when he used his strength in the penalty area to score our second goal, but as Phil said we switched off for their equaliser with no one blocking the scorer who had a free run on goal.

I thought it was a typical end of season affair up against an organised side who I am genuinly dissapointed for that they will not be joining us next seasonn in the Premier Division.

Top fans fair play who arrived early in the day at PP and enjoyed a few beers at the Club before heading to Taffs Well, fair play they were all true to their word..

I didnt think we were up to much on the day, but after the run we have been on you wont hear a grumble from me, its still the unbeaten run continued.

I though Kris Leek was superb, and apart from the poor 2nd goal I thought Jamie Thomas was excellent and he has done himself no harm at all in the last few week in staking his claim for a regular spot next season..