Pitmen pass tough test at Merthyr

With a number of defensive players still unavailable for selection, Bernie McNally selected a back three of Platt, Bailey and Francis to face the physical challenge that would be in store for them at Penydarren Park.  

The Pitmen just about edged the early exchanges and Ross Dyer and Tyrone Barnett were soon up against the physical prowess of the much maligned Cortez Belle, whose strength in the air at the back for the home side was soon apparent. Barnett escaped the attentions of his marker on the 11^th minute but his volley flew wide of the post.

In the 14^th minute it looked as though the visitors would open the scoring as the mercurial Elliott Durrell, returning from a two match suspension, rounded the keeper but blazed his shot over the empty goal.

The home side continued to break quickly and in the 21st minute, hesitation in the Pitmen defence allowed Marcus Griffiths time to turn and fire his left foot shot past the despairing dive of Stuart Brock.

The Pitmen continued to press onto the Merthyr defence and in the 22^nd minute a direct free kick from Adam McGurk was well saved by Andrew Delve. An Elliott Durrell attempted free kick in the 33^rd minute was deflected for a corner and this was the visitor’s last real threat of the half.

McNally made a tactical substitution for the commencement of the second half with Josh Craddock coming on for Matty Wood and Dorryl Proffitt reverting to the right wing back role.

For the next 20 minutes the vistors enjoyed their best spell of possession with chances falling to Ross Dyer, Josh Craddock and Elliott Durrell and then in the 63^rd minute came a decisive moment in the match when Ross Dyer was pulled back by defender Andrew Thomas, who was then red carded by match referee, Mr Tim Wood.

From the resulting free kick Elliott Durrell levelled the scores with a ferocious drive that left the goalkeeper standing as it hit the back of the net.

The diminutive midfielder was in action again 10 minutes later as he chased down a through ball, beat the defence and rounded the goalkeeper to score into the empty net to put the visitors into a deserved lead.

The 10 men of Merthyr Tydfil continued to fight for every ball and for the last 15 minutes Cortez Belle was moved up front to the target man role and the home side pumped long balls up to him at every opportunity. However, the young Pitmen defence, particularly Bailey and Francis and experienced goalkeeper Stuart Brock held firm under the bombardment.

This was another hard earned win ‘on the road’ for this fully rejuvenated Hednesford Town side who have now become serious play-off contenders, sitting in fifth place in the Zamaretto Premier League. 

Merthyr Tydfil

Delve, Williams, Keddle ©, Thomas, Rewbury, Belle, Khalil (Morgan 79), Clarke, Shephard (Trotman 69), Griffiths (21), Armitage (Leek 57),

Subs Not Used

Brown, Hartshorn,

Hednesford Town

Brock, Wood (Craddock 46), Gibson, Bailey, Francis, Platt ©, Durrell (66, 76), McGurk, Barnett, Dyer, Proffitt,

Subs Not Used

Clements, Martin, Gomes, Flynn,

Cautions/Dismissals

Rewbury (C), Thomas (D)

Star Man – Elliott Durrell

Attendance - 258

Words By Terry McMahon