Merthyr Town 1, Cinderford Town 2
The Martyrs gave youth a chance in their BetVictor Southern League Cup tie against Cinderford Town at the MetCoaches Stadium.
Captain Kieran Lewis and his Merthyr Town team produced a solid team performance, but suffered when their visitors from the Forest of Dean scored a last minute winner.
“The boys made a brilliant start and we were in the game for a long time,” said Camden Duncan, a Newport-born former Cheltenham Town apprentice aged 18.
“The young players got on the ball and took their opportunity to impress.
“Personally, I was happy to play 90 minutes.”
https://twitter.com/MerthyrTownFC/status/1179143272956080128?s=20
Aaron Tyner, from Merthyr’s under-19 development team, tweeted: “Proud to make my debut for @MerthyrTownFC first Team. Massive bonus starting and playing the full 90 minutes, but gutted about the result. Hard work finally paying off.”
Goalkeeper Cameron Clarke, a former Wales under-19 international, saved a penalty and can reflect with satisfaction on his first competitive appearance of his second spell with the Martyrs.
Pontypridd-born Clarke, aged 23, is a former Cardiff City apprentice who has also played for Pontypridd, Mangotsfield, Cinderford, Bristol Rovers and Hereford FC player.
“I’m happy with the penalty save, but it was disappointing to concede a later winner,” said Clarke. “The boys dug deep, did well for their ages and should be proud of themselves.
“We’ve had a tough few matches and suffered four defeats on the bounce, but we’ll stick together and keep fighting. The results will come, I’m sure of it.”
Merthyr play Wimborne Town at home on Saturday and badly need to get their season back on track.
https://twitter.com/MerthyrTownFC/status/1179099925923139584?s=20
Cinderford had former Cwmbran Celtic and Newport County youth player Jordan Dibble in goal. The 19-year-old former Hartridge School, Newport pupil was a young player at Torfaen club Henllys FC.
Clarke saved well from Joshua Hunt after eight minutes, while Merthyr’s Kerry Morgan made raided down the left before being denied by a solid Sammie Hicks tackle.
Hunt was denied by Clarke again after 15 minutes before Merthyr attacked and Morgan had a shot from 20 yards cleared off the line.
Tom Meecham fired Merthyr ahead from a penalty after 46 minutes, finishing clinically with a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner.
Cinderford equalised on 52 minutes when a loose back pass from Duncan was collected by Marley Thomas, who finished calmly past the advancing Clarke.
Merthyr played good football at times and Iwan John went close when his run was picked out by a Jordan Thomas pass. Dibble had too made an acrobatic save.
Duncan then found John with a delightful switch pass, but he dragged a shot just wide.
Cinderford were award a penalty after 79 minutes and Clarke saved superbly from Ethan Moore.
It was a massive disappointment for player-manager Gavin Williams and his team when Joshua Hunt scored the match winner in the last minute.
Merthyr Town: Cameron Clarke, Matty O’Donoghue, Ellys Preece, Jordan Thomas, Aaron Tyner, Ethan David, Camden Duncan, Kieran Lewis, capt (Ellis Holland 46), Tom Meecham (Oliver Reeves 56), Rueben Mackay, Kerry Morgan (Iwan John 46). Sub not used: Lewis Binns.
Attendance: 149.
