Weymouth struggle in defeat to Martyrs

MERTHYR TOWN 2

Traylor 19, Jones 70

WEYMOUTH 1

Thomson 90

WEYMOUTH fell to a difficult 2-1 loss at Merthyr Town thanks to goals from Ian Traylor and Owain Jones in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.

Traylor in particular was a threat all evening for the Martyrs, who had to withstand considerable pressure from the Terras in the second half, who eventually broke through with a goal from Ben Thomson.

There were two changes for the Terras from the 4-4 draw with the Met Police on Saturday, with Josh Carmichael and Ashley Wells coming in for Abdulai Baggie and Yemi Odubade.

Sam Sherring and new signing Luke Nippard both played in the AFC Bournemouth Under-21s’ 1-1 draw with West Brom Under-21s on Monday and were absent from the Terras’ team.

The first real chance of the match fell to Merthyr’s Traylor after good work from Jamie Veale.

However, Traylor’s fourth minute effort was fired over the Weymouth bar from the edge of the box.

Six minutes later, Weymouth went close through Carmichael, who got a firm strike in but saw the ball fizz just past the post, to Merthyr Town goalkeeper Lewis Webb’s relief.

However, Traylor would make amends for his earlier miss after 19 minutes.

Good work from Jamie Prosser allowed Traylor a chance from a tight angle and he made no mistake, hammering the Martyrs into the lead.

With Weymouth’s mixed run of form it was the 10th goal in five games McHale has conceded in his time so far at the Terras.

Nine minutes later, Merthyr again went close when Ben Swallow lashed a shot wide of the post.

Calvin Brooks was the next Terra to have an effort on goal, when a good ball found him out wide, yet his effort was rifled over the bar for the visitors.

After 37 minutes, Callum Buckley lofted a ball into the area for Weymouth, which was deflected through to Webb.

The Merthyr goalkeeper had to be alert two minutes later, when Brooks played a good ball in and Thomson met it, only for Webb to catch the headed effort.

Yet the Terras were unable to add to their lead before half-time, as the Martyrs took a deserved 1-0 lead in with them at the break.

After 48 minutes, Jake McCarthy picked up a yellow card to start the second half off in a fiery fashion.

Six minutes later, Weymouth were denied only by the offside flag.

Josh Wakefield crossed a great ball in towards Brandon Goodship who nodded in, only for the flag to be up to deny him.

After 57 minutes, Weymouth made their first change, shuffling the pack to bring on Abdulai Baggie in place of Ashley Wells.

Soon after, Traylor again went close, as he slammed a shot wide of McHale’s post.

The introduction of Baggie was a smart stroke however, as the Terras proceeded to set up camp in the Martyrs’ half.

However, no real chance could be crafted from this period.

This would prove costly when the Martyrs doubled their lead after 70 minutes.

Swallow played a great through-ball towards substitute Owain Jones, who slotted in to double the Martyrs’ lead.

Swallow then shot over the bar five minutes later.

The Terras again shuffled their pack, when Murray came off for Odubade.

Yet Weymouth were still unable to find a clinical touch to take the ball past Webb in the Merthyr goal.

After 84 minutes, McCarthy attempted an effort from range, but it sailed wide of the Merthyr post.

Yet the Terras did find a goal after 90 minutes, to preserve their record of having scored in every league game so far this season.

Thomson was able to head in to hand the Terras a late lifeline against the Martyrs.

The late rally seemed to inspire the Terras and with 93 minutes on the clock they had another chance, when Goodship shot over the bar.

However, the late rally would not produce anything more than a consolation goal, as Weymouth went down 2-1 at Penydarren Park.

As a result, Weymouth stay third in the table, six points behind league leaders Taunton Town with one game in hand over the Peacocks.

Weymouth travel to Walton Casuals on Saturday (3pm).

Martyrs: Webb, Young, Davies, Veale, Wright, Evans, Harris, Lucas, Swallow, Prosser, Traylor. Subs: Lucas, Meechan, Reddy, Jones.

Terras: McHale, Wells (Baggie 57), Buckley, Carmichael, Zubar, McCarthy, Murray (Odubade 76), Wakefield, Thomson, Goodship, Brooks. Subs not used: Yates, Molesley

Attendance: 327