Merthyr showcase title credentials in Borough victory
By Connor Steel
MERTHYR TOWN outlined their title credentials and extended the unbeaten streak to thirty league games on Saturday afternoon (March 15) as they travelled down to Gosport Borough; comfortably sealing a three-one success versus their mid-table opponents following the dominant performance enjoyed by over nine hundred fans at the sunny AEI Stadium.
The hosts started brightly and saw the afternoon’s first chance within seven minutes as Danny Hollands had a low shot blocked after a deflected pass from Asher Yearwood. Down the other end Merthyr nearly took advantage of a defensive mistake by Adam Parkes, who redeemed himself to deny Kane Simpson’s pass at the far post with Cawley Cox lurking.
A brilliant sliding tackle stopped Lee Lucas sprinting through for Merthyr before a fine header from Callum Ryan-Phillips flew over the bar on 21 minutes at a clever set piece move. But the visitors were rueing their huge missed opportunities when Gosport were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box which was easily put home by Asher Yearwood for 1-0.
Merthyr showed their experience however as they levelled after thirty-four minutes through Ricardo Rees; who showed quicker reactions to a loose ball and tapped into the empty goal from a corner. Gosport however gained a good level of control as both Alfie Stanley and Nwachi Nwachuku lashed over in great positions as this first period finished at one-all.
The league leaders came out brilliantly after the interval and took the lead after fifty minutes as quick interplay released Keiron Evans; the attacker slotting low past Parkes with a comfortable finish. In response Gosport were unfortunate not to equalise when Nwachuku raced through on goal and prepared to score, but was denied by a “sublime” sliding tackle.
It should have been three one after sixty-two minutes when an attempt from Cawley-Cox was stopped and the rebound fell to Rees; this effort being deflected onto the bar by Charlie Wassmer. Away pressure finally told with sixteen minutes left when the Gosport defence stood still and a neat cross found Kane Simpson; the striker picking out Rees to convert.
Frustrations boiled over for Borough as Hollands was shown his second yellow on 79 minutes to reduce the side to ten men; thus killing off any chances for a late comeback despite having a goal disallowed. Merthyr almost took advantage of their extra player when Abulai Sambu fired a shot against the crossbar in added time; the visitors settling for this win.
Other results on Saturday mean that Merthyr remain six points above rivals Totton in this table with seven matches left and have officially secured a play-off place; although they will be hoping for more by late April. Meanwhile Borough are twelfth in the league and realistically have nothing to aim for during a last run beginning at Bracknell next week (22/03).
PICTURED BY M&J PHOTOGRAPHY: Neat corner is punched away by the Merthyr goalkeeper during closer first half.
