City were inches away from a hard earned point at The Spectrum to rectify the midweek disaster at Wimborne, but a Jamie Rewbury thirty yard strike undid their good work just before the final whistle. An early scare for City early in the first half as Merthyr Town’s Marcus Griffiths sent a flying cross over the box which City cleared well. However, it was the home side that got an early advantage through Pat Cox after four minutes, who found the back of the net after his initial shot was blocked from Merthyr’s keeper Giles Gutlan. City attempted to double their lead after some neat play from Romone McCrae and Dom Ogun but they couldn’t break through Merthyr’s defence. Tuan West then tried his luck from distance but his flying shot was caught easily by Giles Cutlan. However, it was Merthyr who scored the second goal of the game with ten minutes played after a Kris Leek shot flew past many City players in the area. Tuan West attempted an instant reply for City again from distance but his shot from thirty five yards flew over the bar. But it was Merthyr who took the lead on thirteen minutes after a long free kick found Gary Colborne who headed the ball past Tom Boyle. Finding themselves down inside the first fifteen minutes, especially after taking the lead, spurred City on who tried to replicate the goal as a long ball fell to Romone McCrae but his header went out for a corner. Merthyr Town’s Kerry Morgan caused a lot of problems for City in midfield, who tried to break through on the right hand side but his shot was cleared. Merthyr’s Aaron Cornwall was also causing a lot of problems in the final third, finding his way through from a Marcus Griffiths cross but his shot travelled just wide. Marcus Griffiths then had a chance of his own, but his teasing cross flew past the corner of the net. Both teams pushed for the fourth goal of the game but were regularly dispossessed on the break, however it was City who managed to equalise as Pat Cox scored his and the team’s second of the game with thirty eight minutes played after coolly finishing a Tuan West through ball. Merthyr almost came close to taking the lead after a Kerry Morgan free kick flew just wide, but the scores were level at half time.
Half time: Guildford City 2 – 2 Merthyr Town
City started the second half well, with Pat Cox again involved as a cross managed to find the striker in the area but was intercepted. Romone McCrae then sent a ball through to Cox but Giles Cutlan caught his shot. Tuan West again fancied his chances from distance but his shot could not find the target as it flew over the bar. Merthyr fought back, as a great ball found Marcus Griffiths who looked on course for a shot but was flagged offside. City began to press for another goal as some good play between Pat Cox and Romone McCrae manage to force a corner after McCrae’s header was blocked. City then had two great chances; one again from Pat Cox but his header glanced across goal, and another when Tuan West ran the length of the pitch but his shot was easily caught. This City pressure seemed to inspire a Merthyr attack as they had an array if chances as the game drew to a close. Misjudgement from Tom Boyle almost allowed Marcus Griffiths through but the City goalkeeper managed to deal with the danger. Substitute Ian Traylor also found himself through on the left hand side but his shot was defended well by Tom Boyle. The game livened up towards the end with Merthyr pushing for a winning goal, as an Aaron Cornwall corner flew straight into Tom Boyle’s arms. This pressure was rewarded with just three minutes remaining, as a Jamie Rewbury strike from thirty yards gave Tom Boyle no chance as it flew into the bottom right corner; absolute heartbreak for City who defended so well, but jubilation for Merthyr who travel back to Wales with all three points.
Team: Tom Boyle, Josh Clayman, Bruce McPhail, Tyler Myers, Ryan Bernard, Calvin Thomas, Tuan West, Romone McCrae, George Bowerman, Pat Cox, Dom Ogun. Unused subs: WIll Dukes, Alex Afful, Darren Evans, Dean Thomas
Yellow card: Ryan Bernard
Referee: Shaun Barry
Attendance: 116
