MARTYRS LEFT TO RUE DISALLOWED GOAL
BISHOPS STORTFORD 4 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 0
WITH most of the regular experienced players absent, Merthyr fielded several youngsters for this midweek game.
Fulfilment of the fixture was important with little hope of any reward from a long trip.
Owain Jones and Kerry Morgan battled well up front. The make-shift side worked hard but found it difficult to create openings. Again Hewitson pulled off good saves in goal.
Alfie Mason (12 mins) and Darren Foxley (41) put the home side ahead. Jamie Cureton (61) and Foxley (88) added goals.
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 2 REDDITCH UNITED ..... 2
THERE was anger for the Martyrs on Saturday when they were denied what was certainly a goal.
Protests arising from the fifth-minute drama saw fans give referee Simon Wales and assistants Josh Brookland and Josh Marchant a rough ride at half-time, and Merthyr Town manager Gavin Williams was banished to the stand for the second period.
The rumpus came after a shot from busy Kerry Morgan, the former Swansea City player, who struck from more than 30 yards. His effort cannoned off the crossbar and over the goal-line. But the officials signalled “no goal” to the shock of everyone at The LoadLok Community Stadium, Penydarren Park.
The goalkeeper Ethan Ross, who was with Arsenal when he was nine, and went to Redditch on loan from West Brom, confirmed after the game that it was a goal. “I went to pick the ball up to kick it back upfield. It was definitely a goal.”
Redditch manager Tim Harris, a former Merthyr Tydfil manager in charge of the Worcestershire side for the last time, said: “Definitely a goal, the officials were the only ones at the ground who didn’t think so.”
And sitting in the grandstand was Ross’ mother, who had travelled from Cambridge for the game. “It was 100% a goal,” she stated at the interval. “My husband is filming the match. The film shows the ball crossed the line.”
On the terraces was supporter Joanna Rees who said later: “I was right behind the goal, and the ball did cross the line.”
Merthyr, who went a goal down, hit back with a Ryan Prosser brace and at least they looked like getting all the points. But there was another twist in the tail when in the final minute, Redditch equalised to secure a point.
It was Williams’ lads who made the early running, despite being without top marksman Ian Traylor. Harry Franklin had a shot cleared, Ross saved from Jaye Bowen and stopped the rebound from Corey Jenkins.
Prosser set up Morgan but there was no-one to meet his cross. Then came the controversy but Merthyr continued to press with Jarrad Wright forcing Ross to concede a corner.
At the other end, Redditch broke well and Fleetwood was sent through only for Kyle Patten, who had been expected to be ruled out because of an ankle injury, clearing the danger.
Tristan Dunkley, exWorcester City, was sharp on the right for Redditch, and Hewitson did well to pull off a save from him.
But Redditch led on 21 minutes. Ashley Sammons passed to Adam Page who sent the ball to the right of the keeper.
Morgan continued to star for Merthyr and sent an effort skimming over the bar. Ross saved a header from Wright.
Justice was seen early in the second half with two home goals. A cross was headed in at the far post by Prosser on 49 minutes. And it was popular Pross again two minutes later. He dispatched a spot-kick after a trip on Morgan inside the box by Jordan Mills.
Redditch hit back, Scott Tancock making a timely clearance for Merthyr and then Hewitson making an acrobatic save for a corner.
Craig Reddy was brought on but it was Morgan who was taken off to the disappointment of many fans, Morgan having played well. Further changes saw Lee Price replace Jenkins and Miles John on for Bowen.
But the game had not been won, and Fleetwood’s run and goal, with some fans claiming offside, dashed Martyrs hopes of a win in the final game of the Evo-Stik South Premier, leaving them in 17th place.
There was also final day drama at the bottom with Gosport Borough surviving but Dunstable finishing bottom and relegated.
Tim Harris ended his time at Redditch after he had said he had felt unable to “get the club in a position to win things following talks with chairman Chris Swan.” He took Merthyr to a televised FA Cup tie with Walsall in 2005.
ANOTHER DIRECTOR RESIGNS
The Merthyr Town boardroom doors at the club continued to revolve with another resignation – that of Paul Donovan.
He was chairman since the time of the Interim Board but shortly after the election of the new Board resigned although by the weekend, his departure had not been officially announced by the club. He served as a director for 10 years and was vice-chairman under former chairman Meurig Price.
There had been over a period eight resignations from the old Board, after last November’s revelation of heavy debts, largely because of personal situations. Five joined the remaining four directors to form an Interim Board with one quitting after a short time. Another one was added. The Interim Board was then re-elected by club “owners” to form the new Board, as well as another nomination being successful. Two other nominations lost out.
David Webb is the new chairman, Jonathon Davies, vice-chairman. Another director would be needed, nine being the present stipulation after the old Board had 12 members. Only two members remain from the Board as it was in November.
Changes have continued to whittle down the debts and there have also been staff moves. Business Development Manager Philip Jones leaves this month, having brought in £120,000 in sponsorship in any 12 months. A former school teacher, he is returning to education.
The redundancy of the Chief Executive Officer was settled without the tribunal claim from Rob Price going ahead. He declined a financial settlement offered by the club. Details of the agreement remain confidential.
Bar manager Steve Rees, a long-serving fan, has left for a new job. There will also be a change as programme editor, Shaun Hughes departing.
The turbulent season ended with the awards evening. Ian Traylor scooped The Supporters’ Player of The Year, top scorer and Away Supporters’ Player of the Year awards. Matthew Harris was voted Players’ Player of The Year and Junior Martyrs Player of The Year was Kerry Morgan. Club Person of The Year was Natalie Davies.
Photographer Peter Harman’s annual award of his framed photograph of the year went to young keeper Ed Hewitson for his penalty save against King’s Lynn.
Development Team Player of The Year was Ellis Holland. The team’s Players’ Player Ed Hewitson, and Development Team’s top scorer Jacob Flower.
Pre-season training starts on June 26. Merthyr will hope to keep the nucleus of the squad. Captain Ashley Evans, who missed the last game after a hernia operation, has hinted he is likely to stay.