Saturday 12th August 2023

 

Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South 

 

Beaconsfield Town 0 Merthyr Town 5

 

Holloways Park  - Att: 135

Ram of The Match - Elijah Anthony

 

With Jon underwood forced into four changes from the side that started the opening day draw at Salisbury. The visit of Merthyr Town to Holloways park on Saturday was always likely to be a tricky proposition.

 

With Ibby Sankoh serving his suspension for last weeks sending off and Sam Togwell, Asher Yearwood and James Dobson unavailable for selection The Rams small squad was stretched wafer thin.

 

Luke Neville and Joe Morrison joined Lewis Pegg in a back three having both missed significant periods of the  pre-seasons through injury, both still searching for match fitness,

 

Even so the manner and magnitude of the defeat still came as a shock leaving Underwood understandably a little shellshocked in the post match. Where he described the Performance as, “unacceptable from us today” . 

 

The Rams started brightly enough without ever looking particularly threatening. The opening exchanges were evenly contested. The clearest chance saw a dangerous cross shot from Ricardo Rees diverted to safety by the sliding intervention of Luke Neville in the shadow of his own  cross bar with Beasant beaten. At the other end Elliot Buchanan came closest forr the Rams curling a freekick narrowly over the bar after Ban Bradshaw was fouled on the edge of the box.

 

Despite parity it was an unconvincing showing from the home side littered with individual errors, misplaced passes. The cohesion and togetherness of last weekend was absent against much better opposition in Merthyr who were sharp, tidy and well drilled.

 

When the visitors took the lead after 27 minutes, it hadn’t exactly been coming but it wasn’t a shock either.

 

The games outstanding individual Frazer Thomas received the ball from Mehew down the Merthyr right, stepped in onto his left foot before advancing unchallenged towards the corner of the penalty area and shaping a delicious effort that looped 25 yards across and over Beasant into the opposite top corner.

 

 

It was as good a finish as you’re likely to see anywhere this season but the Beaconsfield defence’s failure to step out and engage invited the shot and were punished by a very talented footballer who proceeded to take over the game from this point.

 

When Lewis Pegg fouled Alex John in the box and Ricardo Rees drove home the spot kick on the stroke of half time Beaconsfield fans were downcast but would not have predicted the second half capitulation.

 

Half Time 0-2

 

Any thoughts of a home comeback were quickly extinguished as Frazer and Merthyr ran riot adding Three goals in eight second half minutes.

 

Frazer bagged his second and Merthyrs third on 54 minutes, with the aid of a Luke Neville deflection.

 

He then turned provider, 2 minutes later, playing in Ricardo Rees to slot home past Beasant.

 

After 62 minutes Mehew added his second assist, Frazer gleefully completing his Hat trick with a low cross shot.

 

A very poor afternoon for Rams fans.

 

The game was over after an hour.

 

Merthyr who could probably have had 10 if they had kept the hammer down contented themselves with keeping possession, giving some subs a run out. Resting Frazer for the final 20 minutes.

 

The Rams sat in and set about keeping the score down. Launching sporadic attacks. Half time substitute Lenny Farhall was forced to live on scraps and Jaimie Cogman in the Merthyr goal barely broke sweat.

 

 

An afternoon of few positives for Jon Underwood to take from a lacklustre performance Dan Bradshaw was busy and energetic as usual in the first period and Elijah Anthony was prominent throughout and finished the game strongly down the left flank but the only other squad members who really strengthened their claims for immediate inclusion for the future were the four unavailable for selection today.

 

The Rams will have to bounce back quickly as Hendon visit Holloways Park on Tuesday night Kick Off 7.45pm

 

COYR