Reffell bags a brace as Merthyr prove too strong for Stratford

STRATFORD Town slumped to their second defeat inside four days as they were swept aside by an impressive Merthyr Town side at the DCS Stadium on Tuesday night.

A brace from Keyon Reffell and one from Ryan Prosser steered the Welsh side to a 3-0 win and it was no less than they deserved on a night where Stratford chances were few and far between.

Town started the game brightly and early long-range efforts from Edwin Ahenkorah and Simeon Tulloch forced Wales international goalkeeper Glyn Garner into a couple of early saves.

The closest Stratford came to a goal arrived in the 32nd minute. Jamie Sheldon sprayed the ball wide to the on-rushing Kieren Westwood, whose shot across goal had Garner beaten only for it to rattle the post.

Three minutes later, Town found themselves behind when Scott Barrow's cross was missed by Niall Cooper and Prosser was in the right place to head home.

The second half was dominated by Merthyr and it took them just six minutes to double their advantage.

Kayne McLaggon, a constant thorn in the Town defence, fed Reffell, who fired a thunderbolt into the top corner, leaving Cooper with no chance.

Merthyr's domination continued and former Cardiff City trainee Reffell bagged his second with three minutes to go.

The Town defenders backed off the Merthyr striker, who unleashed a fierce left-footed shot from the edge of the area which went in off the post.

Stratford Town: Niall Cooper, Daniel Summerfield (Warren Brooks 21), Kieren Westwood, James Fry, Liam Francis, Guy Clark (c) (Richard Gregory 56), Barry Fitzharris, Will Grocott, Edwin Ahenkorah (Dior Angus 56), Jamie Sheldon, Simeon Tulloch. Subs not used: Donnell Benjamin, Jean Kalenda.

Merthyr Town: Glyn Garner, Scott Tancock, Scott Barrow (Rhys Baggridge 86), Ashley Evans (c) (Gavin Williams 80), Curtis McDonald, Jarrad Wright, Ryan Prosser (Ben Watkins 80), Joshua Yorweth, Kayne McLaggon, Keyon Reffell, Ian Traylor. Sub not used: Corey Jenkins.

Full match report, reaction and pictures in this week's Herald.