Hereford FC 1,Merthyr Town 1
Merthyr Town were denied a hard-fought victory at Hereford FC’s Edgar Street when the home team equalised with six minutes left.
The Martyrs were leading 1-0 when Eliot Richards needlessly threw the ball away when the home team were awarded a free-kick. Referee Darren Wilding had already cautioned Richards and sent him off for a second bookable offence.
Soon after former Cardiff City trainee Gethyn Hill netted Hereford’s equaliser.
More than 350 Martyrs fans made the trip to Hereford and the first half was fiercely contested. The Bulls had the majority of possession and forced a series of corners, but Merthyr defended solidly.
The visitors were without Curtis McDonald, Ryan Prosser and the suspended Ian Traylor, while defender Matthew Harris is regaining match fitness on loan at Briton Ferry.
Former Wales international striker Jermaine Easter, who is currently without a club, was a guest of Hereford, sparking rumours that he could think about a move to Edgar Street.
Cardiff-born Easter, 35, has been talking to a number of Football League clubs and has said: “I 100 per cent want to go on for as long as I can, at least another couple of years. I’m still looking for a new club at the moment, but I’ve spoken to different managers from across the football league.”
Ronnie Radford, who scored Hereford United’s winner in their FA Cup tie against Newcastle United in 1972, was a guest at Hereford and did a live interview on the pitch at half-time.
It was a hot, sunny day and the opening half finished goalless.
Hereford’s Jamie Molineux was fortunate to stay on the pitch after a terrible challenge on Ashley Evans. Referee Darren Wilding gave Molineux a stern talking to and booked the home player.
There were few real chances in the opening 45 minutes. Hereford will point out they forced a lot of corners, while Jarrad Wright went up for a free-kick and his header brought a sprawling save from goalkeeper Martin Horsell.
Eliot Richards was the first Merthyr player booked when he slid in from behind to bring down Keyon Reffell. From the free-kick on the hour Dara O’Shea jumped at the far post and headed goalwards from close range, but goalkeeper Davies saved comfortably.
Merthyr went ahead after 66 minutes when substitute Kyle Copp smashed a free-kick at goal from 35 yards, bending his shot over the wall and down into the bottom corner.
Furious home fans yelled abuse at the officials, while home manager Peter Beadle made it clear how he felt.
Referee Wilding, though, had got the majority of decisions correct in a tense atmosphere.
He was spot on again giving a free-kick against Merthyr’s Richards, who yelled at Wilding and threw the ball away.
Richards had been booked earlier, was cautioned again and sent off, much to the delight of home fans.
Hereford equalised after 84 minutes when Hill, Hereford’s man of the match, scored with a low shot into the corner from 10 yards.
Hereford FC: M Horsell, J Oates (capt), J Bowen, K Refell, D O’Shea, M Preece, J Molyneux (G Preen), M McGrath (R Purdie 78), J Mills, P Haysham, G Hill. Subs not used: J Edge, B Williams, G Williams, M Harris.
Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies, C Pring, A Evans (capt), J Wright, S Tancock, C Jenkins (K Copp 57), R Patten (K Patten ), M Touray (K Morgan 63) E Richards, S Fleetwood. Subs not used: B Watkins, J Bowen.
Referee: Darren Wilding.
Attendance: 3,366.
Southern League Premier Division results: Bishop’s Stortford 0, Biggleswade Town 0; Chesham United 1, Kings Langley 0; Dorchester Town 0, Weymouth 3; Dunstable Town 0, Banbury United 5; Farnborough 1, Slough Town 1; Frome Town 0, Tiverton Town 1; Gosport Borough 0, Basingstoke Town 8; Hereford 1, Merthyr Town 1; Hitchin Town 1, Royston Town 0; Kettering Town 3, St Neots Town 0; St Ives Town 1, King’s Lynn Town 3; Stratford Town 0, Redditch United 0.