Merthyr Town 0 – Hereford 0

Martin Horsell

Hereford were held to a goalless draw by Merthyr Town on Boxing Day, with the South Wales club almost clinching the win if it wasn’t for Martin Horsell’s double-save in the dying stages of the game.

For his side’s fifth game in two weeks, Hereford boss Pete Beadle once again rung the changes. Billy Murphy, Pablo Haysham and Jamie Bird started ahead of the injured trio of Calvin Dinsley, Tyrone Duffus and Mike Symons, with Ryan Green returning to the heart of defence as Dara O’Shea dropped to the bench.

At a cold and damp Penydarren Park, the home side got the game underway and tested Hereford’s keeper within the first minute. Captain Ashley Evans saw a flicked effort from close range well-saved by Martin Horsell to deny Merthyr the opener.

The Bulls quick to respond at the other end of the field, as Pablo Haysham’s strike from within the area was blocked by the Martyr’s defence.

Other than the chance for Haysham, the Bulls rarely threatened. In the 18th minute, Jaye Bowen came close to capitalising on Ryan Green’s poor defensive header, but his rising shot narrowly beat the crossbar.

Eleven minutes later, Ryan Prosser’s rasping strike from range thankfully went just wide, with Martin Horsell well-beaten in the Hereford goal.

The final chance of the first half fell to Cameron Pring, who blazed his shot from 18-yards well over. From a corner, the ball was punched clear by former Bull Oliver Davies, but the Bristol City loanee’s shot sailed over the crossbar.

HT: Merthyr Town 0 – Hereford 0

Attacking the travelling fans in the second half, Hereford were first to threaten. Keyon Reffell came close to scoring against his former team, forcing the keeper into pulling off a fine save to deny him the opener.

Moments later Jamie Bird was brought down on the edge of the area as he raced towards goal. The resulting free kick from Bird took a deflection off the six man wall, before being parried by the keeper – Jimmy Oates was able to get to the ball, but poked an effort just wide.

Another chance for Reffell followed, but his effort went wide at the far post after dispossessing Jarrad Wright on the left wing. 

Chances for the Martrys’ Ryan Prosser and Ian Traylor weren’t enough to take the lead, as Prosser’s glancing header beat the crossbar before Traylor volleyed harmlessly wide.

Shout For A Penalty?

In a rather frustrating game for Hereford, John Mills was isolated up top in what looked like a 4-5-1 formation. It wasn’t until Lance Smith was introduced ten minutes from time that the Bulls looked more creative, but still weren’t able to properly test the keeper.

But it was Merthyr who had the final chances of the game, as Martin Horsell pulled off a double save to leave the Welsh Valleys with a point. Ian Traylor was fouled on the edge of the area, but Horsell parried Traylor’s effort from the free kick, before saving Harrison Lewis’ follow up shot with his feet.

FT: Merthyr Town 0 – Hereford 0

Att: 2,612

It was a disappointing outing for the Bulls, but of the teams in the top eight, they only lost ground to Slough Town and Kettering. They currently sit six points behind leaders King’s Lynn with four games in hand.

Hereford: Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Pring, Murphy, Green, Deaman, Richards (Smith – 79’), Reffell, Mills, Haysham, Bird (Preen – 72’).

Subs not used: O'Shea, Harris, Preston.

Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies, Harris, Evans (c), Tancock, Wright, Jenkins, Reddy, Prosser, Bowen (Lewis – 62’), Taylor 

Subs not used: John, Hanford, Martin, Flower.

Next Game: Redditch United at Home on Monday 1st January at 3pm

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