Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Merthyr Tydfil
This game turned on one piece of quality finishing from Merthyr. Up to that point Gresley had easily matched and at times outplayed the league leaders and were very unlucky to come away without even a point to show for their efforts.
Gresley opened brightly forcing a corner in the first minute showing their visitor’s that this was to be no easy encounter for them.
Five minutes later the home side went close again when they had been awarded a free kick that Gary White sent just wide of the right post from 25 yards.
On 8 minutes Gresley almost opened the scoring when Merthyr on-loan defender Gary Thorne almost headed into his own net bringing off a stunning finger tip save from Neil Thomas.
The action was soon at the opposite end of the pitch and Merthyr had two chances on goal ending in a feeble shot that Mark Shiels easily held on to.
On 13 minutes the visitors forced a corner that Shiels half punched clear to Stuart Evans who cleared down the field. The ball ended up at Mark Peter’s feet but the midfielder blazed his shot well over the bar.
Chris Gray, who was causing problems for Merthyr, made headway down the right and his cross was put away for a corner. Peters took the flag kick and Steve Rutter could not get enough contact or direction on his header.
On 29 minutes Gray again made another charge down the field but Andy Bourne could not control his pass and another chance went begging.
Two minutes later Gray was involved again when he collected the ball on the right touch line, scampered across the full width of the field before putting Peters through on goal who left defender Adrian Needs in his wake but ended up putting the ball agonisingly wide of the upright.
The second half opened with both sides probing for an opening with Stuart Evans denying Ryan Dorman and Shiels being forced into a rare save from Michael Regan.
On 58 minutes Paul Keddle’s misplaced pass was collected by Rutter who ran through on goal but the angle was tight and Thomas managed to push the shot away for a corner.
Gresley were making all the running and against the run of play Merthyr scored, and what a good goal it was to ultimately win the game. Thomas collected the ball from yet another Gresley attack and sent a big punt down route one. Andy Mainwaring, who was in the right place, turned and volleyed a superb 25-yard shot that gave Shiels no chance.
Once they were in front Merthyr were happy to soak up all the pressure Gresley could throw at them working hard at defending their slender lead.
On 72 minutes Gresley were awarded a free kick which G White blasted well over the bar and just two minutes later a pass from Bourne gave substitute Carl Tims half a chance but the youngster’s shot was collected by Thomas at the second attempt.
Merthyr conceded a corner on the left and G White’s kick was headed wide by Neil Kitching and on 80 minutes G White fired yet another free kick well over the bar.
In time added on Gresley forced a free kick just outside the area, This time Gray elected to take the kick and was extremely unlucky to see his shot crash against the crossbar and away to safety.
The manager's view
"I thought we were worth a point and were unlucky not to have got something out of the game today. It just wasn't our day.
"If Chris Gray's free kick had gone in towards the end we would have got what we deserved. The only difference between the two sides was one piece of quality for their goal.
"That made the difference between them getting 3 points and us none. I really can't remember them getting many chances during the game. We created a few. Mark Peters had a good chance early on, Carl Timms had a good chance, Steve Rutter and Neil Kitching both had good chances. We had a couple of free kicks from the edge of the box so I thought we made a few chances. The difference was they hit the target and we didn't.
"I thought Andy Cheetham and Stuart Evans had games as did Richard Wardle who was lively and he was on the front foot all the time. Mark Shiels had a good game, his kicking was good, his handling was good and he liked to distribute the ball with his hands rather than kicking it.
"I thought we were a little lack lustre in the middle of the park, in the attacking third and that's where we come unstuck today.
"Merthyr missed the lad Cortez Bell up front and we were lucky he's not been fit for either game we've played. But the reports I've had is that he's a quality player and he gives a lot, but they've got one or two players who are up there with the best in the league.
"I thought Mangotsfield played better than Merthyr did today but the league tables don't lie do they? They are sat on the top and got three points Mangotsfield looked a better team and went away with none.
"It's all about results and they kept another clean sheet. They are very solid at the back and they don't give too much away.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Merthyr Tydfil (0) 1
Scorer: Mainwaring 68.
Gresley Rovers: Shiels, Barrett, G White, Wardle, S Evans, Cheetham, Hopkins, Peters (Timms 62), Rutter (Kitching 65), Bourne, Gray. Subs not used: Moran, Alexander, Lindley (gk).
Merthyr Tydfil: Thomas, Regan (Edwards 64
), Keddle, Needs, Price, Thorne, Carter, K Evans, Mainwaring, Pritchard (Bale 64), Dorrian. Subs not used: C Evans, Wetcombe, Cropley.
Rovers Star Man: Andy Cheetham – another top performance.
Referee: D Benton (Sheffield).
Attendance: 404
