Biggleswade Town v MERTHYR

Team:
Hewitson, Davies, Tancock, Evans (c), Patten, Harris, Jenkins, Wright, Jones, Morgan, Traylor.

Subs: John, Price, Reedy, Clarke, Prosser

Losing 1-0, after 10 Mins.

Now 1-1, Corey Jenkins equaliser, can be seen on Facebook (Forza Martyrs).

1-0 down shot from distance

1-1 Jenkins from close range following a Morgan corner

2-1 down finish from close range

F/t lost 2-1

Biggleswade Town v Merthyr Town

Merthyr faced another long journey on Saturday, this time to Bedfordshire for an away fixture at Biggleswade Town. In a match that saw the Martyrs come back from an early deficit, but in which they were forced back for a long spell after half-time, they finally lost 2-1, unable to find a second equaliser in a frantic finish.

Team (1-11):
Ed Hewitson; Adam Davies; Scott Tancock; Ashley Evans; Kyle Patten; Matthew Harris; Corey Jenkins; Jarrad Wright; Owain Jones; Kerry Morgan; Ian Traylor.

Subs: Ryan Prosser (for Kerry Morgan 59 mins ); Lee Price (for Corey Jenkins 80mins); Craig Reddy (for Tancock 63 mins)
Unused subs: Miles John; Dean Clarke.

The Biggleswade pitch had plenty of grass, but was very bumpy, having dried since the recent bad weather, and was not greatly to the Martyrs’ liking. The home side settled quicker and in the 9th minute Ed Hewitson was beaten overhead by a flashing shot from Nathan Hicks, one though that the keeper would have expected himself to deal with. He has a sound temperament however, and he acquitted himself well in the thick of things for the 90 minutes, only a couple of sliced clearances earning any banter from the home fans.

Merthyr hit back, with Owain Jones prominent, bursting in to the penalty area on both sides, and making the home defence very watchful. The final ball was lacking, but the big defenders were under increasing pressure. Free kicks and corners were adding up, and defenders were stretched. After 32 minutes, Ashley Evans got his head to a Kerry Morgan right-wing corner and helped it on towards the far post where Corey Jenkins hooked the ball into the net.

Merthyr continued to have more of the game, with half-chances blocked, and the keeper Liam Gooch falling comfortably on a shot by Kerry Morgan. Owain Jones and Ian Traylor were both giving the home defence plenty to think about with their speed and movement, though the pitch was reducing the effectiveness of Merthyr’s close play. Adam Davies and Scott Tancock were getting forward from full-back, in a half that ended better than it had begun for Merthyr.

The second-half started in complete contrast. Merthyr struggled to get out of their own half. Clearances were coming straight back from big man Gavin Hoyte and his fellow defenders, but Matt Harris and Kyle Patten continued to organise a sound defensive line in front of keeper Hewitson, who himself is no wall-flower under pressure.

In the 53rd minute there was a minute’s applause from the Merthyr support in memory of ‘one of our own’ David Jones. RIP Twiggy.

Ryan Prosser replaced Kerry Morgan after 59 minutes, but unfortunately before Prosser could influence the balance of play, the Merthyr defence was breached by a close-range drive from Hicks after 61 minutes.

This prompted a further change – Scott Tancock replaced by Craig Reddy, who moved into midfield with Jarrad Wright moving to left-back. Slowly Merthyr dragged themselves back in the game, but the quick, strong, direct play of the home side arguably suited the conditions better. The most intricate skills were on show from number 7 Greg Kaziboni, but on the day these were not what divided the sides.

Merthyr gradually fought back, with Owain Jones still running deep in the opposing half and winning a corner on the left, which came to nothing. Next Ian Traylor played Prosser through, and his shot was saved by Gooch. Merthyr were very definitely still in the game, though they had a piece of good fortune when Jarrad Wright, racing back, sliced an intended clearance against the top of the bar.

In the last ten minutes, with Lee Price on for Corey Jenkins, and with Jarrad Wright up front, the Martyrs won several free-kicks and corners. Bigglewade’s physical defence was not concerning the referee as much as perhaps it should have, and on the bumpy pitch Merthyr were relying on half-chances. A potential shooting opportunity for Lee Price, who contributed well to the late Merthyr surge, was a case in point – a high bouncing ball simply did not come down quickly enough for him to launch a shot.

On this occasion, the points were lost, and there was due disappointment in the camp, which in itself reminds us how far this side has come in the last few months. 47 points with 7 games to go is already way beyond our expectations during the late autumn. Next, a 400 mile round trip to Bishop Stortford!

Thank you Chepstow,

Another enjoyable read.

Looks like the Lads acquitted themselves well once again on a pitch more suited to body line cricket bowling.

Nice also to hear that the Fans have not forgotten David 'Twiggy' Jones- a True Martyr and nice guy.

Boz