Super Sub Scott Secures Three Points

As long as they're not scored against you, last minute goals can be exhilarating affairs and Mardy have enjoyed the experience twice in seven days. Last midweek, an injury time equaliser secured a point but on Wednesday evening an 89^th minute goal secured all three to round off a 3-2 away win against Rhymney after an entertaining game.

The home side started well and displayed a range of passing ability that stretched Mardy with keeper Chris Price making two good saves early on before an inswinging corner beat everybody before coming off the crossbar and away to safety. However, the home side opened the scoring after only seven minutes when a well struck 25 yard free kick by Dale Williams found the bottom corner. Mardy then went close themselves three minutes later when a shot from 'Totti' Laurent whistled just over the Rhymney bar. Nevertheless, an equaliser arrived after seventeen minutes and it was an early contender for goal of the season. Luke Morgan collected a pass from Owen Vaughan just inside his own half and glided past two players before continuing his run at a retreating Rhymney defence before letting fly from fully 30 yards with a shot that soared into the back of the net giving home keeper Ross Williams-Griffiths no chance. Three minutes later Mardy were ahead with a very well worked goal. Charlie Morris intercepted a loose ball in midfield and laid it off to Vaughan who spotted the young striker was making a run in behind the Rhymney defence and he lofted a perfect ball over the top for Morris to take in his stride and slot home. Totti then brought a full length save from Williams-Griffiths before the half ended with the visitors leading 2-1.

Despite the scoreline, Rhymney had played some good football for no reward but they scored thirteen minutes into the half when Jamie Chesterman got to the by-line and crossed for Rhys Evans to bring the scores level. With the home team pressing forward and a few visiting players struggling after knocks, new signing Benjamin Clark was replaced by another recent acquisition  in Scott Whitney before two more 16 year olds in Jake Watkins and Taylor Kerry were brought on with Kerry being the seventh player in this age group to make a debut this season. With the light fading and seven minutes remaining Rhymney were throwing everything at the visitors and when a home player unleashed a thunderbolt from distance, a goal looked certain only for Price to somehow parry the ball away to safety before admitting afterwards that he had not seen the ball until it was almost past him. Despite having being under the cosh, the visitors raised their game with time running out and began to mount some attacks of their own with Morris looking dangerous and carrying the ball well before more good work by him in the 89^th minute gave Whitney a shooting chance on the edge of the box and his low effort found the corner of the net to spark some understandably joyful celebrations. The last few minutes were played in semi darkness before the whistle signalled an end to an enjoyably competitive game. Afterwards, manager Dai Sadler praised a superb team effort from all concerned before giving his man of the match award to Totti for his prodigious work rate and ability to hold the ball and calm things down during some frantic passages of play.