Match day

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Truro City (A)
Fri Mar 29
17:00

Match day

Team logo
Truro City (A)
Fri Mar 29 17:00
The Vanarama National League South
12th
56pts

Dobson double caps astonishing Rebels comeback at Merthyr

Merthyr Town

Merthyr Town

4
Traylor (5, 21), Touray (10), Nisbet o.g. (19)
Slough Town

Slough Town

5
Smart (50), Flood (62), Harris (72), Dobson (89, 90+3)
League Attendance: 355 James Dobson
Slough Town achieved the unthinkable on Tuesday evening at Merthyr Town’s Penydarren Park, as they overturned a four-goal deficit and won the match in second half stoppage time.

It is a result which has left many lost for words, not least the Rebels supporters who made the long trip to South Wales, and joint managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood – with Baker exclaiming “I don't think you'll ever see a game of football like it in your life”.

Memories of last season’s first half capitulation at King’s Lynn were resurrected as Slough trailed 4-0 after just 21 minutes. That day, Slough pulled two goals back in the second half to restore some pride, but nobody could have imagined the Rebels would walk away with all three points.

Slough fell behind with just five minutes played, Ian Traylor beating Jack Turner after being played through. That lead was doubled just five minutes later as Traylor turned provider to set up Mo Touray.

The Rebels were shell-shocked but still managed to threaten to pull one back – Manny Williams was quickly closed down after finding himself one on one with Oliver Davies, whilst Chris Flood saw an effort deflected just wide, before Williams flicked a cross straight at the keeper.

But things very quickly continues to go downhill for Slough, as Merthyr added a third on 19 minutes, with Mark Nisbet unlucky to get a block on a cross but see the ball rebound into his own net. Two minutes later, Merthyr’s lead was four as Traylor capitalized on a ricochet to beat Turner again.

After a terrible opening, the game settled down but Merthyr went close to a fifth goal with Turner glad to see the ball rebound back into his arms after hitting a post.

Slough’s joint managers asked their players to show some pride in the second half, and five minutes in Nathan Smart pulled a goal back with a superb strike from outside the box.

Chris Flood added a second on 62 minutes, firing across Davies and in off the far post after being put through by Williams.

There were signs that Merthyr – who conceded five at Kettering on Saturday – were increasingly uncomfortable with Slough’s dominance, and a quick third would set things up nicely for the visitors – and on 72 minutes, Warren Harris half-volleyed through a crowd of players at the back post to bring the Rebels to within a goal of the hosts.

Slough sensed a sensational comeback could be on the cards, and showed their intent by introducing both Gavin James and Brad Wadkins – but the clock ticked down with the hosts slowing the game at every opportunity.

But with a minute remaining, the scores were level as James Dobson headed George Wells’ cross past Davies to spark wild celebrations.

Slough were far from finished though, and were hungry to get the ball back as they sought an unlikely winner. As the game moved into stoppage time, Slough won a corner and two Rebels players, Lench one of them, saw efforts cleared off the line by Ashley Evans.

That looked to have saved Merthyr a point, but in the third minute of time added on, Flood laid the ball off to Dobson, whose deflected shot beat Davies to cap a comeback that will be talked about for years to come.

Merthyr Town Lineup

Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Cameron Pring, Ashley Evans (c), Jarrad Wright, Scott Tancock (Curtis McDonald 73), Jaye Bowen (Robbie Patten 53), Kyle Patten, Mo Touray, Eliot Richards, Ian Traylor (Corey Jenkins 73). Unused substitutes: Kyle Copp, Kerry Morgan.

Rebels

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