NERVY DAY AS LEADERS FORCED TO BE PATIENT
THE biggest home crowd of the season saw leaders Chippenham Town maintain their momentum to keep ahead of the chasing pack.
The bumper crowd had to wait until the second half for all the goal with Dave Pratt’s effort and a pair of penalties from Jake Andrews deemed Jack Compton’s late strike for Merthyr as consolation.
Pratt had the best chance of an otherwise cagey first half with a header which flew over the bar and inadvertently brought keeper Oliver Davies into action after a rebounded clearance was steered goalwards.
Chippenham created the better opportunities, the visiting defence scrambling the ball to safety.
Merthyr had their moments. Compton went close with a shot-cum-cross and the former Southampton player Kayne McLaggon brought a fine save from home keeper Darren Chitty.
This was Chitty’s last action of the match, having to retire with a recurrent knee injury on the halfer hour, with James Rae his replacement.
Ian Traylor should have put play-off chasers Merthyr ahead but only managed to clear the bar.
Just three minutes of the second half had elapsed before a roar from the home fans signalled Pratt’s opening goal and this seemed to calm Chippenham nerves.
Merthyr countered, but Ashley Evans’ effort went wide. Chippenham pushed forward and were unfortunate when Pratt met an Alec Ferguson cross that cleared keeper Davies, only to hit the bar.
Chippenham pressure continued and Evans conceded a penalty. Bristol City loanee Jake Andrews, who had yet to make his mark, converted from the spot on 73 minutes.
Merthyr looked to recov- the deficit, but Compton’s dead ball kick never troubled Rae. At the other end, the bar gain came to the rescue. Matt Jones’ shot beat Davies, only to rebound off the woodwork.
A Traylor effort was deflected by Rae, then Compton followed up but had his header saved.
With six minutes left on the clock, Merthyr were rewarded for their efforts when Compton netted what proved to be a consolation.
Chippenham mounted a late attack in which Pratt was brought down and the referee pointed to the spot for a second time.
Up stepped Andrews to double his tally for the day in the first minute of added time. STAR MAN: Jake Andrews (Chippenham) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★