Boro draw another blank in entertaining clash at home to Merthyr Town
A 0-0 home draw against Merthyr Town, was Boro’s third successive match without scoring, but this was a high-quality, action-packed game, full of good football, with both sides creating decent chances.
Yet again Boro were hit by injuries, as a tight groin ruled out Lewis Maloney, and Alex Purver Hannan played despite not being fully fit, with Jono Greening’s bench filled with reserve players and ex Nottingham Forest Academy midfielder Alfie Bradshaw, who has been on trial at Harrogate Town.
Visitors Merthyr started brightly, playing some neat passing football.
Jake Hull tackled big striker Kane Simpson in the area, and Rio Allan got back to halt a run from Sam Pearson, then Boro had the ball in the net when Mo Fadera slotted in after challenging keeper Jamie Cogman for a high ball, but was penalised for a foul.
On 13 minutes a fierce volley from Allan crashed against the bar with Cogman beaten, then at the other end, Kieran Evans fired inches wide, a Hull tackle halted a run from Simpson, and Ryan Whitley saved with his legs when Pearson raced clear and was one-on-one with the Boro keeper.
Merthyr shaded the first half, but Boro defended superbly.
Will Thornton blocked a Jacob Maddox shot, Jack Waldron tackled Kieran Evans when he surged down the left, and keeper Whitley again saved with his legs when Simpson beat the offside trap and raced through on goal.
Kieran Weledji hacked clear when Pearson burst into the area, and Purver Hannan blocked a Jack Evans strike.
Boro also created chances, Cogman dived to smother shots from both Luca Colville and Fadera, Weledji passed to Allan in the area, but Ben Margetson got in a strong tackle, and a Waldron strike was deflected over by Kieran Evans, who also blocked a Colville shot, then Fadera blazed wide after latching onto a pass from Luke Hall.
Despite a strong wind, the second half was equally entertaining, with both sides getting forward searching for goals.
For the visitors, Purver Hannan’s tackle stopped a run from Simpson, Hull blocked a shot from Pearson, then tackled Lee Lucas in the area, and Jay Foulston fired narrowly wide.
Boro attacks saw a throw into the area from Waldron fall to Thornton, whose overhead kick was grabbed by Cogman, Dom Tear who had a terrific game volleyed inches over, and Colville jinked past two defenders and squared to Fadera, who was tackled by Kieran Evans on the six-yard line.
Merthyr were dangerous going forward, but centre-backs Thornton and Hull were superb for Boro and Weledji and Waldron chipped in with some timely tackles.
Pearson and Simpson both fired wide, Whitley did well to hold a 25-yard strike from Lloyd Humphries, and Evans scooped a shot over, then a Tear sliding tackle ended a run from Morgan Wigley.
Boro also looked threatening, a Waldron free-kick was punched off the head of Hull by Cogman, Thornton shot just over, Tear and Hall combined to send Fadera clear, but he fired wide, and Colville passed across the goalmouth, but Allan failed to connect, then Allan crashed a shot against the right-hand post, as an excellent game somehow ended goalless.
BORO - Whitley, Waldron, Weledji, Hull, Thornton(c), Purver Hannan (Brown 70), Hall, Tear, Allan, Fadera, Colville, unused subs - Duckworth, Pllu, Stuttard, Mills, Colangelo-Cole, Bradshaw.
MERTHYR TOWN - Cogman, Foulston, Margetson, Humphries, Spiers (Smerdon 80), Lucas (Livermore 59), J.Evans(c), K.Evans (Wigley 70), Simpson, Maddox (John 80), Pearson (Watts 70), unused subs - Harris, Williams.
REFEREE - Kieran Chell.
GOAL ATTEMPTS - BORO 13 (5 on target) MERTHYR 12 (3 on target).
CORNERS - BORO 4 MERTHYR 9.
OFFSIDES - BORO 2 MERTHYR 1.
YELLOW CARDS - Kieran Weledji (Boro), Lee Lucas, Ben Margetson, Aneurin Livermore (Merthyr).
BORO MAN OF MATCH - Ryan Whitley.
ATTENDANCE - 1,323 (32 away).