Martyrs pay respects to remember Aberfan
THE Martyrs will try for the third time this campaign to beat their most local rivals (geographically) Cinderford Town when they meet on Saturday at the LoadLok Community Stadium, Penydarren Park in the FA Trophy (3pm).
The Forest of Dean side, bottom of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division, won 3-2 when the teams clashed in Gloucestershire on August Bank Holiday Monday. Merthyr were not at their best and there was controversy over Cinderford’s second goal after an alleged foul on Merthyr keeper Glyn Garner, leading to Merthyr manager Gavin Williams being banished from the touchline.
Then on October 4, Cinderford knocked home side Merthyr out of the Southern League Challenge Cup with both sides basically fielding reserves. Merthyr lost 4-3 on spotkicks after a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes.
For Saturday’s Trophy first qualifying round match, Merthyr will hope for a good gate after surprisingly, the attendance dropped for the Biggleswade match last Saturday despite the 3-0 triumph at Stratford in midweek and the 1-1 draw against leaders Slough Town on the Saturday.
For some reason, some fans seem to stay away from Cup matches even though they offer a cash boost. The Merthyr board hope the recent results will help boost the gate for Saturday’s money-spin- ner. There is a local connection for the game with several South Wales players in Cinderford’s team, including former Merthyr trialist Gethyn Hill and former Martyrs player Lee Hartshorn.
Merthyr, under the old title of Merthyr Tydfil, achieved their best run in the Trophy in 1977-1978, losing at Runcorn in a replay.
Cinderford went down 1-0 at home to Chesham at the weekend in the league, leaving them with just seven points after promotion last season.
They parted company recently with co-manager Chris Burns who resigned after the side lost to fellow strugglers Cirencester Town.
Merthyr manager Gavin Williams moved quickly to replace Adam Davies, lured to Hereford United with a wages offer he couldn’t refuse, and Jon Brown, who secured a deal to play in Bangladesh for a short contract.
Josh Yorwerth, on loan from Crawley Town, has impressed so far, and Williams then recruited another loan-signing, Elliot Richards, aged 25, from Weston-super-Mare. He will be available until the end of December. New Tredegar-born, the forward began his career at Bristol Rovers where he made more than 100 appearances before moving on to Tranmere Rovers, Cheltenham Town, and Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US. He has represented Wales at under-19 and under-21 levels.
He also has had loan spells with Exeter City and Bath City, and joined Weston in the summer.
The departing Brown said: “I really enjoyed my time at Merthyr, but I received an offer which was too good for me to turn down.”
Cameron Clarke, goalkeeper, has returned to Welsh League side Risca United on a second loan period.
On Wednesday night Merthyr were at Frome Town in a league match. On Tuesday, November 1 Merthyr are home to Kettering, unless there is a Trophy replay. The Northamptonshire side have been better away than at home this season but beat visiting Weymouth 3-1 on Saturday. They were 13th in the table before Tuesday’s trip to Chesham, Merthyr being sixth, just outside the play-off spots.
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1 BIGGLESWADE TOWN . 0
MERTHYR battled to get the maximum points and maintain their unbeaten home league record against a tough Bedfordshire outfit.
The visitors didn’t allow Merthyr to settle in the early stages, forcing a number of corners and dictating play before their rivals could get into the other half of the field.
In the late stages, Merthyr gave their all as there was an almighty battle near goal with Biggleswade unlucky not to force in a goal. With lots of stoppage time played, Kayne McLaggon, Merthyr’s scorer, made a late attack and kept the ball near the corner. Elliot Scotcher was brought on as a late substitute, also to disrupt the away side as they threatened.
There weren’t too many scoring chances for either side. Biggleswade, with some big players, were physically strong but as ever Merthyr captain Ashley Evans tackled hard in midfield as a response.
Merthyr replied to early preessure in which Gavin Hoyte frequently threatened, and led on 22 minutes with a well-worked goal. Ryan Prosser did well to beat a defender, gain ground and pass to Keyon Reffell. He sent the ball across the field for forrmer Southampton man McLaggon to smash the ball into the roof of the net past Waders goalkeeper Ian Brown.
Biggleswade hit back, Hoyte heading against the bar and Jordan Patrick hitting the post.
The second half saw The Martyrs have the edge. Richards came on from the bench for his Merthyr debut and showed some neat touches as well as testing Brown with a low drive.
Yorwerth and Reffell also went close for Merthyr. But there were scares at the other end late on. Merthyr’s determination saw them take the points.
Before the game, both teams, Merthyr and Rhymmney MP Gerald Jones and Merthyr and Rhymney AM Dawn Bowden laid wreaths in the centre circle and a minute’s silence was observed for the 50th anniverary of the Aberfan disaster.
Biggleswade boss Chris Nunn praised Merthyr for their “fantastic hospitality” and said: “I couldn’t help feeling emotional before the game becase of Aberfan – it puts life into perspective.”
STRATFORD TOWN ..... 0 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 3
AFTER successive draws on their travels, Merthyr needed to get a win to push up the table. And they got it in style on Tuesday last week.
With Elliot Scotcher injured from the previous game with Slough Town, striker Ryan Prosser was brought in, and he netted.
Former Martyr Dan Summerfield, now a student at Birmingham, was injured after 20 minutes (hamstring) for the visitors and was substituted. The home team began well but Merthyr soon took a grip.
Scott Barrow and Pross- er combined for Ian Traylor to head onto the post but the referee adjudged the latter to have fouled a defender. Sheldon brought a save from Merthyr’s Garner while at the other end, McLaggon had an effort charged down.
Nine minutes before half-time a fine cross from Scott Barrow, ex-Newport County, saw Prosser swoop and head into an empty net.
On 51 minutes Merthyr got goal number two. Prosser headed on to McLaggon who found Reffell. He drove the ball past goalkeeper Cooper from 20 yards.
Stratford made some changes but the defence continued to be harrassed by a lively Merthyr. And with three minutes left, Reffell slammed in his second goal after Yorwerth intercepted a clearance.