Watts wipes out Welsh lead

Hungerford were unchanged for the third game in a row after wins over Salisbury & Didcot over the festive period.

It was Merthyr on a run of six straight wins who made a strong start but despite a lot of possession Hungerford’s defence held firm and the visitors struggled to create clear cut chances

It took until the 27th minute for the first real chance when Adulai Sambu put Conor McDonagh clean through he shot towards to bottom right hand corner but it was brilliantly tipped away by keeper Wil Fuller
This chance was immediately followed up with another via a Rhys Tyler cross being headed just over the bar by Sambu

Towards the end of the half however the Martyrs really found their flow, Ryan Clark had to save well from Nick Rhodes in the 41st minute. Then with a minute to go in the half Keiran Evans put Ricardo Rees through, there was a hint of offside but Rees kept his composure as he evaded the defensive efforts to block him and slotted past Clarke to gave the away side the half time lead.

Hungerford came out in the second half on a much more attacking mood, perhaps buoyed by going down the Bulpit slope. It only took 7 minutes of the half to equalise. Sambu won the ball and put a ball into Elis Watts in the box. Watts fired past Fuller for the equaliser. Hungerford were on top now and after 58 minutes Brad Hooper played Medford-Smith in down the left, his cross was headed down by McDonagh but it bounced over the bar. McDonagh had the ball in the net 2 minutes later but it was ruled offside. Mid way through the half with the home side now fully on top Watts forced a tremendous save out of Fuller when the ball looked destined for the far corner.

Merthyr had to dig in a bit but surviving the Hungerford onslaught they found their feet again and the game became more even towards the end. A real midfield battle where both sides could have forced a winner. In the end with both sides sharing a half it was perhaps a fair result and they both move on with unbeaten records in tact.

Team : Clark, Tyler, Medford-Smith, Jarra, Wright, Hooper, De St Croix (Lopes), Shepherd, Watts, McDonagh, Sambu (Evans)
Subs Not Used : Ladapo, Paget, Alexander

Attendance : 587

Star Man : Brad Hooper