A last minute goal from Matt Buse capped off an incredible Evo-Stik League game at the Viridor Stadium which saw the Peacocks fight back from a two goal deficit to beat Merthyr Town 3-2 yesterday afternoon (22nd April).
The win keeps the title race alive as Town edged to within one point of leaders Weymouth who drew 1-1 at Poole Town, a result which makes the Dolphins favourites to clinch the fourth and final Play-Off position. A goalless first half gave little indication of the drama to come, the Peacocks having the better chances. Josh Nelmes headed just wide and then saw another header saved while Pierce Mitchell and Ryan Brett also came close.
Buse fired narrowly over when play resumed but it was Merthyr who began to threaten, Tom Meechan and Ian Traylor seeing shots saved by Lloyd Irish before Traylor slotted into an empty net from Meechan’s cross for the opening goal after 59 minutes. Town were caught on the counter again nine minutes later when the dangerous Traylor burst forward, giving Jamie Veale the opportunity to drill home the visitors’ second. Prospects appeared somewhat bleak for Town at this stage, but Rocky Neal brought his side back into it just two minutes later, forcing in from close range after Matt Wright’s header had been kept out. Town were level after 74 minutes, Neal unable to get a shot in from a Lewis Hall cross but Dan Sullivan pounced to fire past Scott Reed inside his right-hand post.
Momentum had very much swung Town’s way and Neal nearly added further goals, rifling against the crossbar and then volleying just over from Buse’s flick. Home pressure paid off with 90 minutes on the clock, a Craig Veal cross reaching Sullivan whose drive into the box was met by Buse’s darting header which evaded Reed to find the net and send the Peacocks’ fans into raptures. Victory ensures Town finish as runners-up at least but they will hope it may be even better come 5pm on Saturday.
Head of Football Rob Dray said: ”What a game! Yet again we overcame adversity and claimed another crucial win. As a management team we always thought that if we score we will go onto win and with that momentum it proved to be so. A truly memorable day but we’ve won nothing yet and need to do what we have been doing and beat Basingstoke on Saturday. Buckle up and enjoy.”