Herbrandston 3

Merlins Bridge 4

MERLINS Bridge came out on top in a seven goal thriller against battling Herbrandston.

The Wizards will feel relieved that they bagged the precious points, but Leigh Galdo’s Herbie outfit will feel annoyed that they didn’t get anything from this game, and this was their second successive defeat at home.

The hosts took an early lead AS Hayden Dimond slotted past Chris Thomas. The Wizards got back on level terms as Nathan Greene struck.

Herbie pushed hard and were rewarded as Shane Walsh lashed home from inside the box that gave his side a slender 2-1 cushion at the break.

Shortly after the interval and Matthew D’Ivry equalised for the visitors, the Wizards began to get on top and Greene struck his second goal of the game and put the visitors 3-2 ahead.

Skipper Stephen McNabney extended the visitors lead, and at that stage there looked no way back for the hosts, however, Walsh struck from inside the box for his side’s third goal as the Wizards clung on until the final whistle to secure their eighth win of the season.

Merlins Bridge is second in the table, five points behind leaders Hakin United, who also have a game in hand and Herbrandston are eighth.

Herbrandston: Gareth Marshallsay, Sean Williams, Daniel Armstrong , Daniel Munn, Chris Darlington, Craig Nicholson, Mark Jones, Hayden Dimond, Shane Walsh, Scott Reid, Jason Clarke. Subs: Marc Gelona, Kyle Sutton.

Merlins Bridge: Chris Thomas, Matthew D’Ivry, Nathan Thomas, Paul Thomas, Andrew John, Steven Dockerty, Gethin Roberts, Dai Davies, Lee Hudgell, Stephen McNabney, Nathan Greene. Subs: Daniel Bryce, Peter Thomas, Jordan Raymond.

Referee: Angus Scourfield.