Evesham United looked on course to collect their first ever point at Penydarren Park until substitute Aaron Cornwall rose to head home Steve Williams’ cross two minutes into stoppage time to steal the Martyr’s first home Evo-Stik Southern South & West win since mid-November. It was tough on Paul West’s side who went into the match aiming to extend their unbeaten league run to three games and did enough to get something out of the game until Cornwall struck at the death.
Merthyr dominated the early possession without causing United keeper Tom Cross too many problems and with skipper Matt Sysum once again commanding at the back, the Merthyr frontline rarely had a look in. At the other end, Jamal Clarke unmarked at the back post failed to get a touch to Carl Brown’s cross and then Brown himself volleyed over as the first half drew a blank.
Evesham stuck to their guns and continued to look dangerous on the break after the interval, Sam Adkins, Leigh Downing and Brown all went close to finding the net. As the game entered stoppage time Marcus Palmer smacked a shot against the Merthyr woodwork before Cornwall broke United’s hearts by heading in Williams’ cross from close range. There was still time for Palmer before the end to have his goalbound drive deflected wide with home stopper Giles Cutlan beaten.
Evesham United: Cross, Wilson, Hyde, Sysum, Clarke, J. Blake, Downing, Adkins, Kandekore (Palmer 83), Brown (Spence 79), Gayton.
Subs not used: Edwards, Hardwick and A. Blake
Referee: Mr D. Eaton (Tewkesbury)
Attendance: 331
