In the second round of the AoC Premier Cup, Merthyr Tydfil College travelled across the bridge to face Team BTC Men’s Elite. The game was originally scheduled to be played last week, away in Wales, but following the harsh weather of -9 degrees, Merthyr’s 3G pitch was frozen over.
It was a close affair for the first ten minutes of the fixture, both sides trying to figure one another out. Both teams tried to penetrate in behind however the respective defences coped relatively well. It was the ball in behind that troubled Merthyr at 0 – 0. Josh Evans was slipped in between the two visiting centre halves but couldn’t finish past the on-rushing goalkeeper.
The first goal came on the stroke of 15 minutes with some good football being played down the home sides left flank. Cattle, playing left back, picked out Ireland in the middle of the pitch who sprayed the ball out to Evans on the left. Evans found Hall’s run between the centre halve and full back, pulling the ball back for Brereton to drive into the far corner. The home side continued to dominate but failed to score again until the 25th minute.
Almost identical to the first goal, Brereton turning from finisher to creator, picked up the second ball in the middle of the park and switched it out to Hall who drifted past the full back and found the far corner. Despite all the chances it finished 2 – 0 at the half time interval. Hall, Hobbs, Brereton and Ireland all having glorious chances to add to the score board.
Immediately after the restart the home side were relentless in front of goal. 3 – 0 came shortly after following great work by Ireland to slip Hobbs down the left flank. Maintaining good balance, Hobbs shrugged off his man to cross from the left and find Brereton lurking in the penalty area only for the goalkeeper to miraculously save Brereton’s shot with his feet!
Arguably the best goal of the game came on 55 minutes. The home side broke through Ireland who found Hall pinning the visiting right back. Hall setsthe ball back for Ireland to switch the play and find White. White ghosted past the winger and then full back to cross the ball and find Brereton to slot the ball home for 3 – 0.
The long throw of White continued to cause problems for the visitors. It was on 60 minutes that Team BTC scored from a long and direct throw into the penalty area from White. Evans held the ball at his feet on the edge of the area, wrestling off two defenders before picking out the top right corner for 4 – 0.
Brereton to Hall becoming almost unplayable this afternoon. Brereton played Hall in on the left flank, creating a two versus one with Cattle joining in on the action. Hall flicked the ball around the corner for Cattle to break the line and drive into the penalty area. Cattles crossed and found the captain on the edge of the area who struck the ball home for 5 – 0!
The final goal of the game came on 84 minutes. Substitute Winter drifted past his man with total ease, flicking the ball over the centre halves head to send Hall through on goal who returned the ball to Winter to calmly slot home for the 6th and final goal of the game.
“It was a really pleasing performance today from everyone who was involved. We’ve spoken at length at the interval and at the end of the game about us all being clinical and ruthless. The best sides in football are relentless. When they’re on top they will continue to score. They don’t lift their foot off of the gas pedal. This is something we are all striving to be.
“It was also really pleasing to see certain individuals performing and showing themselves and everyone else what they are capable of doing. Most notably, Kole Hall was exceptional today. The way he beat his man several times, how he brought others into the game, the chances and goals he created was phenomenal.”
Man of the Match: Kole Hall
