Damaging defeat for Martyrs

POOLE TOWN ..................... 3 MERTHYR TOWN ............... 1

MERTHYR fell to defeat once again, this time at play-off hopefuls Poole but the performance deserved a great deal more and was chalk and cheese in comparison to the previous Tuesday’s crushing seven goal loss.

In predictably windy conditions Merthyr made the best possible start, going ahead after just seven minutes.

Keiron Lewis finished at the far post after Ben Swallow had provided the inswinging cross.

The lead didn’t last long however and the game was completely turned on his head in the space of four minutes.

After concerted pressure on the Merthyr goal Sam House found Jez Bedford and he took on a Martyrs defender before firing home on 21 minutes.

And just four minutes later Poole went ahead as Jake Smeeton’s free kick swirled into box and whether striker Sam Griffin got a touch is unsure but it found its way into the net.

Both Marvin Brooks and Griffin forced fine saves from Merthyr’s debutant goalkeeper Scott Reed before half time, the youngster having signed on loan from Swansea City.

Merthyr improved after the break and audaciously tried to catch home goalkeeper Luke Cairney on the hop from kick off but the long range effort from Kerry Morgan sailed over.

Griffin struck the bar midway through the half but Merthyr provided a much greater threat and both Lewis and then Ian Traylor had great chances which were both denied by Cairney.

The points were sealed by Poole on 86 minutes when Tyrique Clark provided a ball across the box that was converted by James Constable.