FIXTURES AND RESULTS > Matches
Oxford City 1-4 Merthyr Tydfil (30/08/2008)
Updated: Sunday 31st August 2008, 21:03pm GMT
Picture: Action for Merthyr's 4-1 win at Oxford City (courtesy of The Royal Green Jackets Regimental Association www.greenjackets.info)
Merthyr moved clear of the relegation zone for the first time since the beginning of the season as they hammered Oxford City 4-1 at the Court Place Farm Stadium, courtesy of goals from Garry Shephard (2), Craig Stiens and Paul Keddle..
Match Report by Richard Bennett:
The Martyrs made the trip to Oxford looking to add to their impressive win against Stourbridge on bank holiday Monday, and Garry Shephard himself made the prefect start when after two minutes a dangerous free kick from Shane Dawe was headed in by the player-manager.
On 18 minutes The Martyrs extended their lead when a dangerous cross was spilled by Oxford keeper Steve Smith, under pressure from Paul Keddle, and striker Craig Stiens was on hand to stab into the empty net home from five yards out.
The hosts failed to create any openings as The Martyrs continued to dominate the match, and on 23 minutes the Welshmen went 3-0 up when another dangerous cross, this time from Jake Redman, was well-controlled and hammered into the net from close range by Shepherd.
Five minutes later The Martyrs effectively ended the game as a contest when Paul Keddle battled to pick up a loose ball, cut inside at pace and unleashed a thunderous drive from the edge of the area which flew into the top corner giving keeper Smith no chance - Keddle's first goal since re-joining
The Martyrs thought they had added a fifth when Craig Stiens broke clear and crossed for to the unmarked Ashley Evans who side footed home, but the linesman had adjudged Stiens to have been offside.
Half-Time: Oxford City 0-4 Merthyr Tydfil
Oxford supporters knew their sides second half performance would need to show a marked improvement, and they got the perfect start when on 47 minutes a deep cross was headed into his own net by Andrew Thomas.
The visitors pressed but The Martyrs continued to enjoy long spells of attacking possession - Sam O'Sullivan and Craig Stiens both testing Smith with long range efforts.
With 15 minutes left panic in the Martyrs defence caused Scott Allison to pick up a back pass, and from the resulting free kick the 11-man Merthyr wall repelled the effort from two yards to signal the end of the Oxford pressure and give the Martyrs their second commanding 4-1 victory of the week.
Full-Time: Oxford City 1-4 Merthyr Tydfil
Match Report by Richard Bennett
The Martyrs host sixth-placed Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday night (kick-off: 7.45pm) hoping to continue their recent revival with another three points. [more]
Match Stats:
(0) Oxford City FC |
4-1 |
Merthyr Tydfil FC (4) |
Steve Smith |
- |
Scott Allison (GK) |
James Saulsbury |
- |
Jake Rudman |
Ben Weedon |
- |
Shane Dawe |
Mark Avery |
- |
Andrew Thomas (C) |
George Redknap |
- |
Lee Hartshorn |
Ricky Allaway |
- |
Sam O'Sullivan |
Michael Lyon |
- |
Paul Keddle |
Liam Malone |
- |
Ashley Evans |
Yashwa Romeo |
- |
Dean Clarke |
Andy Baird |
- |
Garry Shephard |
Mark Bell |
- |
Craig Stiens |
Aaron Posey |
- |
Matthew Harris |
Jon Gardner |
- |
Dale Griffiths |
Steve Davis |
- |
Marcus Griffiths |
- |
- |
Matthew Glassey |
- |
- |
- |
Goals: |
||
0-1 |
Garry Shephard '1 |
|
0-2 |
Craig Stiens '18 |
|
0-3 |
Garry Shephard '23 |
|
0-4 |
Paul Keddle '28 |
|
Andrew Thomas (og) '47 |
1-4 |
|
| Referee: - | Attendance:217 | |
| Assistant: - | League Position: 16/22 | |
Assistant: -
|
Weather: - |
|
All Southern Football League Premier Division Results - 30/08/08: Bashley 1-0 Banbury United, Brackley Town 1-2 Hitchin Town, Cambridge City 0-2 Mangotsfield United, Evesham United 0-0 Farnborough, Hemel Hempstead Town 1-1 Halesowen Town, Oxford City 1-4 Merthyr Tydfil, Rugby Town 0-1 Chippenham Town, Stourbridge 6-1 Clevedon Town, Swindon Supermarine 1-4 Corby Town, Tiverton Town 0-2 Bedford Town, Yate Town 0-2 Gloucester City.
(Thanks to Matthew Randell and Richard Bennet for match stats)
