Post by malcolm on Apr 17, 2024 19:32:35 GMT 1
n excellent team performance enabled Winchester to beat Merthyr 2-0 and complete the double against their Welsh opponents and not only made Winchester mathematically safe from relegation, but it very much increased their chances of a top half of the table, even though they remained in 1`1th place despite the victory. It also means that for the first time this season Winchester have won more league games on home soil than they have lost,
Merthyr still occupy the final playoff position, but they have lost their game in hand on sixth placed Bracknell Town who trail them by virtue of having an inferior goal difference. on goal Prior to this match Merthyr into this match had won two and drawn one of their last three league matches and had only been beaten once in seven games.
Winchester made four changes to the starting line-up with I Hill, Simba Mlambo, Jordan Rose and Ollie Griggs replacing Trevor Caborn, Pip Nolan Mark Jamison and Josh McCormick with Jamison on a substitutes bench which also included Ollie Balmer and Ryan Pryce.
Merthyr had forgotten their kit and had to borrow Winchester's second strip.
The first goal came in the 25th minute when Dan Jones on seeing the goalkeeper out of position scored with a ell executed lob. Prior to this Sam Ashton had also attempted to score from distance with the goalkeeper out of position, but his effort was just off target.
The second goal came right a the end of the first half when I K Hill crossed for Sam Ashton to score. Immediately prior to the second goal going in Merthyr had their best spell of the match with a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions plus successive corners. While the score was still 1-0 Luke Cairney in the Winchester goal made an excellent save to deny Gethyn Hill.
Apart from the incidents described I K Hill shot narrow;y wide, Jamie Barron put in a cross that no-one could get on the end of, while Stuart Mott made a great interception to break up a Merthyr attack, and as stated Merthyr had a good spell and as stated th4e second goal went in just at a time when Merthyr were beginning to look dangerous.
In the second half Winchester did well to deny Merthyr anything other than half chances, making some excellent blocks and interceptions and also looked dangerous on the break, In fact Simba Mlambo probably came as close as anyone to score in the game's second period, but his effort was off target, Early in the second half Tom Handley shot narrowly wide for Merthyr, but at the other end Jamie Barron hit the woodwork following a corner and following up Stuart Mott headed over the bar.
Merthyr who were backed by a passionate following tried hard to get back in the game, but Winchester were playing with great determination and for them it was an excellent way to bounce back after losing their last two league games
During the course of the second half Winchester bought on Ollie Balmer, Mark Jamison and Tommy Wright t respectively replace Simba Mlambo, Jamie Barron and Sam Ashton.
In the closing minutes Merthyr's Liam Angel received a second yellow card/
Merthyr still occupy the final playoff position, but they have lost their game in hand on sixth placed Bracknell Town who trail them by virtue of having an inferior goal difference. on goal Prior to this match Merthyr into this match had won two and drawn one of their last three league matches and had only been beaten once in seven games.
Winchester made four changes to the starting line-up with I Hill, Simba Mlambo, Jordan Rose and Ollie Griggs replacing Trevor Caborn, Pip Nolan Mark Jamison and Josh McCormick with Jamison on a substitutes bench which also included Ollie Balmer and Ryan Pryce.
Merthyr had forgotten their kit and had to borrow Winchester's second strip.
The first goal came in the 25th minute when Dan Jones on seeing the goalkeeper out of position scored with a ell executed lob. Prior to this Sam Ashton had also attempted to score from distance with the goalkeeper out of position, but his effort was just off target.
The second goal came right a the end of the first half when I K Hill crossed for Sam Ashton to score. Immediately prior to the second goal going in Merthyr had their best spell of the match with a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions plus successive corners. While the score was still 1-0 Luke Cairney in the Winchester goal made an excellent save to deny Gethyn Hill.
Apart from the incidents described I K Hill shot narrow;y wide, Jamie Barron put in a cross that no-one could get on the end of, while Stuart Mott made a great interception to break up a Merthyr attack, and as stated Merthyr had a good spell and as stated th4e second goal went in just at a time when Merthyr were beginning to look dangerous.
In the second half Winchester did well to deny Merthyr anything other than half chances, making some excellent blocks and interceptions and also looked dangerous on the break, In fact Simba Mlambo probably came as close as anyone to score in the game's second period, but his effort was off target, Early in the second half Tom Handley shot narrowly wide for Merthyr, but at the other end Jamie Barron hit the woodwork following a corner and following up Stuart Mott headed over the bar.
Merthyr who were backed by a passionate following tried hard to get back in the game, but Winchester were playing with great determination and for them it was an excellent way to bounce back after losing their last two league games
During the course of the second half Winchester bought on Ollie Balmer, Mark Jamison and Tommy Wright t respectively replace Simba Mlambo, Jamie Barron and Sam Ashton.
In the closing minutes Merthyr's Liam Angel received a second yellow card/