Southern League Division One South & West

Merthyr Town 2 Yate Town 1

MANAGER Rob Cousins described Yate Town’s defeat at second-placed Merthyr Town on Tuesday night as “heartbreaking” after they were denied a late penalty in controversial circumstances.

Merthyr’s Jamie Rewbury was sent off for bringing down Jordan Rogers when through on goal with one minute to go and referee Adam Ricketts initially pointed to the spot before consulting with his linesman and awarding a free kick just outside the box instead.

After watching a video of the game, Cousins had no doubt that it should have been a spot kick.

He said: “In rugby you would be given a penalty try. It was a blatant professional foul and we didn’t get any advantage from the sending off with one minute remaining.”

Cousins also felt his side had a perfectly good goal ruled out beforehand, which would have levelled the scores at 2-2.

Jordan Rogers was adjudged to have been offside when he controlled a 60-yard ball over the top by Josh Ford before James Harmer netted.

Cousins said: “The video proved it was onside so it was a frustrating night.

“The 11 that started and the two subs gave every ounce of effort, it was unbelievable, and they were physically exhausted by the end.”

“It shows that the players want to play for me and Yate Town.”

Top scorer Lewis Haldane dropped to the bench, while new signing Ford returned to the defence as Yate switched to a 3-5-1-1 formation and they made a positive start.

A Jordan Rogers strike bounced out from the underside of the cross bar and he headed another effort over the bar, while Jake Cox also went close before Merthyr went in front on 21 minutes when Ian Traylor scored with a curling shot from 25 yards.

Yate made an immediate response, equalising one minute later as Bradley Abraham slid in to find the net from ten yards.

Merthyr went ahead on 71 minutes when Jarrad Wright headed home a Gavin Williams free kick and they survived the late scare to hang on for their fifth league win in a row.