Swindon v MERTHYR

Gr8 result! Well done to the team & management!

Superb second half by the sounds of it! Well done guys!!

Thanks for all the updates.

That's better, and just the result to settle all our nerves.

Well done lads, Big win.

Heard that kerry was there tonight but not selected in the 16, Bit strange. Maybe a knock?

Massive result. Could have gone tits up with another defeat tonight. Well done boys

Ryan Prosser scores two in Merthyr Town's return to winning ways and they are seven points clear
Wales On Line

Merthyr Town put their Southern League title chase back on track with a convincing midweek win at Swindon Supermarine. Ryan Prosser (2) and Kayne McLaggon were the scorers as the Martyrs battled back from a goal down at half-time to earn victory.

Manager Steve Jenkins changed the team formation to 3-5-2 with captain Ryan Green alongside Jarrad Wright and Jamie Rewbury at the heart of defence. The aim was to shut down a Supermarine team who had fired 15 goals in their previous three fixtures.

It had been thought Kris Leek would be unavailable because of work commitments, but he was on the team coach when it left South Wales and lined up in midfield.

For most of the first half Merthyr had the edge, but ‘Marine went ahead during first half injury time when Luke Hooper scored. There was a suspicion of offside, but Hooper’s goal was given and Merthyr faced the threat of a third successive defeat.

Jenkins changed the playing system, sending on Ian Traylor for Davies and switching Green to right-back in a 4-4-2.

McLaggon smashed home Merthyr’s equaliser from a free-kick 25 yards out three minutes after half-time and then centre-forward Prosser finished off the home team. Prosser netted after 57 and 63 minutes to clinch a hard earned away win.

Now Merthyr turn to their match at AFC Totton in Hampshire on Saturday, whole closest rivals make the trip to play promotion-chasing North Leigh in Oxfordshire.

It has been a big season for Merthyr Town, who have won 24 of their 32 league fixtures played. They have attracted an average attendance of 498 with a high of 1,017 and have scored 90 goals so far, conceding 28 for a goal difference plus 62.

Merthyr follow their trip to Totton with a match at Bridgwater Town next Tuesday, while their next home match is against Tiverton Town at Penydarren Park on Saturday, March 14 (3pm).

After defeat at the home of the Railwaymen last Saturday which momentarily threatened to derail our promotion push a superb second half performance which saw us send in three salvos to sink the submariners of Swindon at the Webbswood Stadium last night.
 
With a fully fit squad to choose from SJ went with a 3-5-2 formation with Williams (S) & Morgan not in the 16.  Our team lined up as follows –
 
Bradley
Green, Rewbury & Wright
Summerfield, Williams, Bauza, Leek & Davies
McLaggon & Prosser
 
Subs – Evans, Harris, Patten, Jenkins & Traylor
 
The pitch was flat although a little damp in places with sand sprinkled here and there and we attacked from the start and had much the better of the first 15-20 minutes, where we had a few chances but we allowed Swindon to get back into the game and the rest of the half was largely in favour of the home side.
 
Swindon kicked off and put the ball out of play almost immediately.  Did someone have a bet on?  The throw was taken by Summerfield and after Swindon partially cleared the ball Williams moved towards goal and sent in a good shot which Warrell saved, going down to his right and Prosser who was following up put it wide of the goal.  From the goal kick Swindon had their first attack of the game and kept possession, without threatening, and Summerfield broke up the attack and sent it forward to Prosser who went around Adams and he got down to the byline, turned and cut back and slid the ball back to Summerfield whose cross went all the way across the area and it was again only partially cleared to Williams who found Wright close to the halfway line.  Wright made a typical foray forward into the Swindon half going past a few defenders before getting to the left hand edge of the area where he crossed it.  McLaggon picked it up and turned and shot high over the bar from about 20 yards.
 
We were looking better and continued to press and Summerfield sent a ball forward towards Prosser but it was put out play by a Swindon defender on the right.  From the throw we gained a free kick which was taken by Williams and he sent it across the 6 yard area but Prosser completely missed his header and the chance was lost.  Summerfield again found Prosser on the right who gave it to Leek who crossed the ball towards the far post towards Bauza but a Swindon defender nipped in and got it behind for a corner.  This was taken by Williams and it was a near post ball which Rewbury tried to flick it on but Swindon cleared it but only as far as Summerfield who pushed it right towards Williams but he was robbed and Swindon cleared it but McLaggon forced a Swindon defender to put it out for another Merthyr throw.  Leek took the throw towards the area and it came back out and Leek got it across but again Swindon cleared. 
 
In a rare Swindon attack, Bauza fouled Hopper halfway inside the Merthyr half but Taylor’s kick went past Stanners and away for a goal kick.  McLaggon was then fouled in the centre circle and a quick free kick was blocked by the encroaching Adams and Mr Tranter, the referee had a word but no card was shown.  From the kick, Green sent it high to the right hand side of the Swindon area and Prosser headed it down to Summerfield but his scuffed shot seemed to be going wide when it was claimed by Warrell going down to his right.  A clearance form Swindon fell to Waldon on the right.  He held it up and gave it back to Pirie but from his long cross Summerfield was beaten in the air by a Hopper but the ball went wide of Bradley’s goal.
 
Bauza was getting involved in the game at every opportunity and after receiving a throw from Davies via Prosser, Bauza pushed it back to Williams but the ball bobbled on the surface and Williams missed it and Stanners picked it up and ran through a few Merthyr defenders but the referee adjudged one of them had given him a little tug and awarded a free kick to Swindon halfway inside the Merthyr half.  The kick was sent high into the Merthyr area towards Hopper but he couldn’t control it and it ran through to Bradley. 
 
Shortly afterwards Pirie seemed to turn an ankle in the centre circle and after receiving treatment it was decided he couldn’t carry on and was replaced by Etheridge.  This coincided with Swindon getting a bit more into the game and we were put under pressure but Rewbury, Green and Wright kept them at bay.  Williams lost the ball in midfield and a Swindon attacker broke past Wright but Rewbury was on hand to partially clear but it came out to Morris who sent a shot, from distance, over the Merthyr bar. 
 
McLaggon latched onto a Swindon clearance and he gave it left to Bauza who sent it across field to Summerfield on the right.  He got it into the area but again Swindon cleared but Summerfield won it back but he was challenged by Morse and the ball ran to Williams who gave it to Bauza on the right hand edge of the 18 yard area and he tried to get past a Swindon defender on his way to the byline and seemed to be fouled but the lino flagged for a free kick to Swindon.
 
Williams again lost the ball on the halfway line and Hopper broke into the Merthyr half and was faced by Green.  Hopper found Morse on the left but his cross came off Green and away for a corner which was cleared by Davies.  Swindon then gained a free kick on their left which was taken by Taylor who sent it high into the Merthyr area and Adams headed it on and Hopper picked up the loose ball and stretched through Bradley, bringing him down and Merthyr gained a free kick in their 6 yard area.  Swindon gained a couple of corners, the second of which was well claimed by Bradley at his near post. 
 
Swindon were now getting to the second ball quicker than Merthyr who had gone off the boil somewhat and as half time approached they were looking the more likely to break the deadlock.  Swindon gained a throw on their right taken by Shepherd who found Morse who gave it back to Shepherd who got to the byline but his cross was cut out by Davies at the expense of a corner.  O’Hara took the corner and sent it high into the Merthyr area and Bradley got there first and punched it out but it was picked up by Stanners who got it out right to Stanners who put a far post cross into the area where Waldon headed it back across to Etheridge who pushed it forward to Hopper who slid it past Bradley to give Swindon a 1-0 lead in first half stoppage time.  Merthyr claimed offside and from my viewing point Hopper did seem to be in front of the last defender which was confirmed by Bradley after the game but the goal stood.  Swindon again pressed forward during the 8 minute period of additional time (at one point I thought the ref’s watch had stopped!) and when a clearance fell to Morse, he was fouled by Bauza, earning the Spaniard a yellow card.  The kick from the right hand touchline went high into our area and all the way across the Morse on the left.  He pushed it back to O’Hara who put the ball back high into our area and it reached Hopper who tried to head it over Bradley but the Martyrs keeper made a good save pushing the goalbound header over the bar for another corner.  The corner came in and was well caught by Bradley.  There was still time for Etheridge to get booked when he brought down Rewbury on the halfway line and Green’s kick was headed forward towards goal by Rewbury but it went wide of Warrell’s right hand post. 
 
The referee brought the half to an end and the Merthyr players left the field 1-0 down and received a roasting from SJ during the interval.  I can confirm that as the Boardroom is next to the away dressing room and the paint was peeling of the walls thanks to the ferocity of SJ’s words, few of which I can repeat on this Forum.  Suffice it to say he got his points across and we started the 2^nd half reverting to a back 4 with Green moving right to replace Summerfield at full back and Traylor coming on into the middle.
 
Merthyr started the second half looking far more dangerous, no doubt with SJ’s words of wisdom still ringing in their ears and in the first minute we gained a corner on the left when Shepherd challenged Davies close to the byline.  Williams took the corner high into the area and Prosser couldn’t get his head over it and his header went over the bar. 
 
The resulting goal kick was picked up just inside the Merthyr half and Leek broke forward into the Swindon half where, about 25 to 30 yards from goal he was brought down by O’Hara who received a yellow.  It looked as if Williams was going to take it but it was McLaggon who ran purposefully towards the ball and unleashed a tremendous shot which went over the wall and high into the net past a bemused Warrell in the 48^th minute and Merthyr were back level at 1 each.
 
Swindon came back but Green did well to clear as far as Leek who gave it to Traylor, who lost the ball to O’Hara who got it down towards Waldon but Rewbury was there and he got it back to Bradley who cleared upfield.  Merthyr then broke into the Swindon half and Leek found Mclaggon on the left who was brought down.  Williams took the kick high into the area and Wright and Warrell challenged for the ball and Warrell punched it clear but the referee gave a free kick to Swindon for what seemed a fair challenge by Wright and then proceeded to book Warrell, presumably for something he said.  So we had the strange circumstance of Wright being penalised with the opposing player getting booked.  Shortly afterwards Williams got a ball out left to McLaggon who ran forward and slipped the ball to Prosser but his low shot from about 18 yards went just wide of the Swindon goal.
 
There then was a terrific period of play when Wright found Traylor on the left and he gave it further left to Green. Green pushed it inside to Leek who got past O’Hara and sent it through to Bauza who crossed it into the area where it was cut out by Adams but only as far as Rewbury who made a storming run forward towards the right hand side of the Swindon area and sent in a superb cross which found Prosser lurking all on his own at the far post and he shot it high into the net from about 2 yards and on the 57^th minute Merthyr were leading 2-1 thanks to an excellent run from Rewbury and a clinical Prosser finish.
 
Swindon tried to fight back but we were well on top now and after an attack was broken up just inside the Merthyr half by Wright he found Bauza who sent it further forward to McLaggon on the left who got towards the byline where Shepherd got in a good tackle and the ball went away for a corner.  Williams took it and Prosser rose to head it under pressure from Adams and missed it and the referee waved away claims for a penalty from a push by Adams on Prosser.  From the goal kick, Swindon broke into the Merthyr half and Waldon ran towards goal and was brought down by Williams who received a yellow card.  The kick was sent into our area and was headed well wide by Hopper.
 
A clearance from the Merthyr defence found Prosser on the halfway line and he held it up and found Traylor who gave it to Leek who stepped inside and put the ball across the Swindon area where it was put out of play for a corner on the Merthyr right.  Williams took the corner high into the area and Prosser rose like a salmon and out jumped the Swindon defenders and sent a powerful header high into the roof of the Swindon net past a helpless Warrell and Merthyr were now 3-1 up in the 63^rd minute and in a period of 20 minutes had turned the game around completely.
 
To their credit Swindon did their best to get at least 1 goal back but the Merthyr back 4 were looking very solid and broke up the Swindon attacks with ease leaving Bradley with little to do and we were still looking dangerous on the break.  Williams sent a long ball into the Swindon half and found Traylor on the right of the area.  He tried to get it over O’Hara who seemed to handle it right in front of the lino but he gave nothing and the ball broke away and Leek was pulled up for a foul on Waldon. 
 
Leek was become more and more influential in the middle and he picked up the ball just inside the Merthyr half and got it forward to Traylor who was running towards goal when the referee pulled the game back to award a free kick for an Etheridge tackle on Leek which arrived long after the ball had gone and Etheridge was sent off.  I couldn’t see if it was his second yellow or a straight red which is what the tackle deserved which left Leek writhing in agony on the ground and Chubbsy had to run all the way across the pitch to provide treatment.  Luckily his ministrations worked and Leek was able to carry on, no doubt with a large dent in his shin pad.  Before the free kick was taken, Jenkins replaced McLaggon and Swindon cleared the kick easily.     
 
Later Merthyr gained a corner when Jenkins was tackled close to the byline by Shepherd.  Williams’s corner again went high into the area and Prosser rose at the far post and headed it just over the bar.  Merthyr continued to press with both Jenkins and Traylor making inroads into the Swindon defence.  Just before the end Bauza, who had a good game was replaced by Patten.  Leek then intercepted a pass out of the Swindon defence and set Prosser free who ran into the area and sent his low shot past Warrell but also his right hand post.
 
The game ended with Merthyr still on the attack against a now dispirited Swindon side and Leek found Prosser who gave it to Traylor and as he was getting forward the referee gave the final blast of his whistle with Merthyr winning 3-1.
 
A very important 3 points were gained last night from a better performance than of late.  We started the game well but faded as the first half went on but our second half performance was superb and we played really well and once we got the equaliser there was only going to be one winner.  We looked more balanced with a back 4 and Prosser’s presence upfront took a lot of pressure off McLaggon and as a result he got more time and space on the ball.  The change of formation to two up top does mean some players are going to be left out which is a shame for them but for the good of the team some difficult decisions have to be made and SJ seems to be the man to make them.  Williams’s absence from the next few games will give a chance to someone else which again could benefit the side in the future.  Leek and Bauza were good in midfield last night, Prosser and McLaggon worked well together upfront and our back 4 looked very solid with the errors of recent games not evident.  A few players could be named MOTM but I would favour Rewbury not just for his defensive play but for his storming run up the right and his superb cross for Prosser’s 1^st goal.
 
Onwards and upwards to Totten on Saturday and if we play the way we did in the second half showing the skill and commitment we displayed we should be OK.
 
Well done, the lads!

happy days !!!

Great report Elder Green, it is nice to read it after the event , when passions and blood pressure have calmed down...bit worried that our normally frugal defence let another one in...which just proves the point you can't give room to any striker in this league...you can't afford to toy with the opposition ...no space Hopper...otherwise we might have lost three on the 'bounce'.....Boz

Some photos from the game here:

http://www.jeffyoudphotography.co.uk/Sport/Football/Swindon-Supermarine-FC/MARINE-v-MERTHYR-TOWN/i-hqvdWK8