MERTHYR TYDFIL
VETERANS (OVER 45S) 5 AFC RUMNEY ............... 1
AFTER trailing early on, Merthyr went on a goal spree at The LoadLok Stadium against a Rumney side which never gave up.
Merthyr have recruited some new signings this season, including those from Briton Ferry and Talgarth.
This was a fine performance, especially in the second half, and with several players absent, including the influential Keith Williams, the por- tents for this campaign look good.
But Rumney went ahead in the second minute with a long-range effort from Troy Reilly which flew into the corner of the net past keeper Terry Collins.
The home side settled with Robbie Sullivan using his speed on the wing, and from a centre, Ian Williams was there to fire the equaliser. Rumney replied with some offtarget shots. Hywel Morgan pushed forward to be foiled by a central defender but hopes of a pen- alty were denied. Rumney were without John Jones in goal but his deputy was kept busy.
Rumney blasted one chance over the bar, giving Merthyr confidence. And they took the lead when from another Sullivan cross, Ian Williams was there to head in.
Collins pulled off some useful saves for Merthyr while at the other end, Mark Price had an effort stopped.
Merthyr might have added to their tally in the opening half which saw them solid at the back. Then in the second half, it was largely Merthyr producing the skilful, determined play.
In a scramble near goal, after an attack sparked off on the right, Geraint Roberts got a touch to make it 3-1. A good stop from Williams kept the Rumney deficit down but Price surged through the middle to hit Merthyr’s fourth goal.
Good play down the left late in the match gave a chance to Llion Williams, and the Bangor-born substitute finished well to make it 5-1.