v Merthyr Town (A) 24 Feb 2024 (Commentary!)
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 3:20 pm
Very good away performance from the team today. Draw probably fair result. Sami and Ronan returning made a massive difference to the midfield. Lot more physicality and pressure on the opposition when out of possession.
Even first half Merthyr getting the ball down and trying to play through the thirds of the pitch, atill guilty of giving up possession wide and conceding numerous crosses into the box. Marvel and Jerry dealing with the majority fairly comfortably. One of these crosses caused slight concern a diving header at the back post going wide of Jacob’s right hand post. Hayes does chance falls to Ayo driving run into the boxof the left, cut inside on to right foot curling effort to the far post, decent height for keeper to palm away. 2 minutes later same side of the pitch, little trickery from Ngunga on the touch line, skips round his marker and drives along the byline, cross palmed away by the Merthyr keeper but straight into the back of defender and into an empty net. Merthyr find their feet later in the half with the pressing from the Hayes side not as intense. Cross from Hayes right chest control from Merthyr forward on the edge of the box turn and first time shot saved by Jacob low down diving to his left. Another In swinging cross from the Merthyr right, finds a forward at full stretch unable to connect properly and few yards wide. 0-1 ht
Merthyr plenty of possession again but first chance fills to the away side. Gambin 25yds from goal on the Hayes left, floated ball with his left foot falls to Ayo 8yds out, chest control to his left holding and rolling his defender, first time strike with his left foot, produces a decent reaction save from the keeper low to his left, being critical but he should score from this golden chance. Within 10 minutes of that chance, the home side draw level, excellent delivery from a corner on the Hayes left, Merthyr defender climbs highest probably near the penalty spot thumping header to Jacob’s right. No blame involved to anyone this time, just a perfect delivery and header. Good response from the boys, firstly a glancing header by Hagan from a Cole Brown cross on the right, tipped over the bar by the home keeper. That man Ronan again 20yds out vicious right footed shot , keeper beaten to his left but crashes against the upright and away to safety. Merthyr right winger causing all sorts of problems, drives past two Hayes players to the byline, cut out by Jacob, same winger across the box goes down under pressure but ref waves away the penalty appeals. Another cross from that side evades everybody and out for a throw on far side. Half chances at best for home side and Hayes always looking dangerous on the counter with Ayo and Hagans pace in behind. Jerry header wide under pressure. Hagan half chance snuffed out by numerous defenders. Into injury time and some poor defensive work on the Hayes right, Cole and Marvel missing tackles, Merthyr winger through on the wing but Jerry takes him out with a rash challenge and gratefully receives his yellow card. Resulting free kick headed high and wide. 1-1 ft
Would have taken a point before the game against a decent Merthyr side hunting a play off place. Decent shift put in by the boys and well worth their point.
Mom Cole Brown another solid display, often left outnumbered defensively but always looked comfortable. Produced some good crosses and width second half, late on in the game won some important tackles when short of numbers. Ronan and Sami in the middle are massive for us and hopefully stay injury and suspension free for the remainder of the season. Ngunga going off injured after a heavy challenge, made a bright start to this game. Hagan and Ayo pace caused a threat all game. Gambin did well in possession and covered a lot of ground defensively.
Performances to this level for the rest of the season should see us pick up enough points to stay up without to much drama at the end of the season. Just need to eliminate the Didcot type performances.
U hayesssssss