Southern League Premier South Division – Saturday 6th January 2024
Merthyr Town 4 v 1 Basingstoke Town Attendance – 913
Where: Penydarren Park, Park Terrace, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8RF
Dan Brownlie’s line-up today was : 1. Paul Strudley, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Callum Winchcombe, 4. Anthony Cheshire, 5. Billy Upton, 6. D’Andre Brown, 7. Bradley Wilson, 8. Simon Dunn (Capt), 9. Stefan Brown, 10. Daniel Rowe, 11. George Reid
On the bench: Michael Atkinson, James Clark, Paul Hodges, Liam Ferdinand & Nathan Smart
Referee – Carl Peters
Stoke attacking the covered end in the first-half, were initially on the front-foot in the first few minutes, which resulted with a 28-yard volley sweetly hit by the returning Simon Dunn, that unfortunately flew straight at the Merthyr keeper who made the save.
Merthyr then had a couple of attacks in our half, which included a cross that was over hit and a shot that flew comfortably wide of the post.
Stoke respond with a little possession, but unable to put any pressure on the Merthyr keeper.
Merthyr broke with pace and two further crosses, are defended by Anthony Cheshire and then Billy Upton, as we hit the quarter-hour mark.
On twenty minutes Merthyr break from our attack and a Merthyr forward takes the ball inside our penalty area and a tackle goes in, and the Merthyr forward goes down and the referee awards the penalty, which is converted and we go behind. Merthyr 1-0 Basingstoke
Merthyr continue to break from our attacks, and another good block this time by Callum Winchcombe prevents another chance on our goal.
Basingstoke then went two behind, as another through ball saw a Merthyr forward get taken out by Paul Strudley’s sliding tackle, which gave the referee no choice, but to award a second-penalty to the home side, which once again was put away. Merthyr 2-0 Basingstoke
There’s a three-minute delay after a Merthyr player receives treatment, and then replaced.
Stoke then win a couple of corners, but one is headed wide by Stefan Brown, the other is headed clear.
With five minutes to go Stoke’s defence is breached once again, as a Merthyr attack rolls to Strudley, who appears to then pass the ball back to the Merthyr forward, who takes two touches, then slots it into the net. Merthyr 3-0 Basingstoke
Basingstoke are still trying to get back into the game, and we are given a chance, when a cross to the far post has Anthony Cheshire fouled, and the referee awards us a penalty. Although the keeper guesses the right way, Bradley Wilson’s penalty is well-hit and finds the back of the net. GOAL! Merthyr Town 3 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Wilson 45+2 mins Pen)
We are now in the seventh minute of added-time, and Stoke have a little bit of possession via Wilson down the left, and the referee blows the halftime whistle.
Halftime Score: Merthyr Town 3 v 1 Basingstoke Town
Stoke attack from the outset of the second-half and George Reid breaks into the penalty area, and a Merthyr defender out-shoulder barges Reid, who falls to the floor, and the referee rightly waves away calls for a penalty.
Merthyr were then to make it four minutes later, as they attack down our right, and a Merthyr forward is allowed to cut inside, just outside the penalty area, and he hits a curling shot into the far left-hand corner of the net. Merthyr 4-1 Basingstoke
Stoke then came close to pulling a goal-back as we attacked through Wilson and a cross was punched clear by the keeper to Reid who smashed a volleyed-shot that the keeper was able to parry away as he dived to his right, and the ball was hooked clear.
We then made our first change, with Michael Atkinson replacing Simon Dunn (55 mins).
Stoke have a little more possession, as Markus Johnson-Schuster combines well with Reid down the right, but Merthyr’s defence prevents us from creating a shot on goal.
Merthyr attack once more and a shot is well held down low by Strudley.
It’s time for our second change with the returning Paul Hodges replacing Stefan Brown (66 mins)
Wilson then combines neatly with Atkinson, but again their press prevents us from finding that vital last pass.
Merthyr’s pacey wingers have us under pressure, but a good block knocks the ball out for a corner, which we head clear.
Stoke continue to have more possession create very little, including a curling shot from Atkinson, that flies two yards wide of the far right-hand post.
Anthony Cheshire is now down receiving treatment and two minutes later is replaced by Nathan Smart (83 mins).
The game now drifts into the first of eight added-minutes, with Merthyr looking for a fifth, but the shot is poor and saved by Strudley.
Stoke have two half-chances, as Upton has been pushed up front, one a flicked header from Upton hits Rowe, that flies wide, then a neat cross from the right, is met by Upton, who fails to direct his header on target, with Rowe waiting behind him.
Merthyr then fail to add to score again as one of their forwards drags the ball wide.
There’s still time for more one chance for Stoke, as a good through ball has Wilson breaking clear, but he’s hesitant in want to do, and the defender blocks away his shot.
The referee plays another minute then blows the full-time whistle, and the good travelling support, have a long way to go home, with little to celebrate.
Full-time Score: Merthyr Town 4 v 1 Basingstoke Town
Rees pens 21 & 28 mins, Wilson 45 + 2 mins pen,
Twamley 40 & 50 mins
Match Thought’s
After two strong defensive performances, we were once again outdone by pace, and our own errors in our penalty area, not helped by some poor tackling.
Good to see some returning players, who we will need over the coming months, but Cheshire’s injury could be a concern.
Up Next:
We are back on the road, next Saturday afternoon, in what is a possible six-pointer as we face Hanwell Town who moved ahead us on goal-difference.
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
Polish 
It appears again we struggle to stop goals being shipped in numbers. Mistakes or not, it must be a concern.