Martyrs on Trophy trail – page 4
MERTHYR Town will aim to go one better against visiting Slough Town on Saturday (1pm ko) when the sides meet in what should be a very competitive Buildbase FA Trophy second qualifying round clash.
Last month their Southern League Premier Division meeting at The LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, ended in a 1-1 draw after Slough had won their previous nine matches.
Saturday’s fixture deserves a big crowd but with Wales rugby and football teams in action on the same day, it’s going to be difficult. A 1pm start has been arranged in the hope that some of those heading for the games at Cardiff can first take in Merthyr v Slough. Perhaps the keen North Wales football enthusiasts may want to look in at Merthyr on their way to the capital. Otherwise, it is going to be the faithful Merthyr fans to get behind this money-spinning game. Some supporters strangely give cup games a miss but the club hope that they can turn out this time to boost their team who are out of the other cup competitions, the FA Cup and the Southern League Challenge Cup. So it is the last chance to pick up some extra cash this campaign.
Slough were without a couple of forwards in their last meeting with Merthyr and hope to be at strength on Saturday.
Merthyr will hope that on-loan player Josh Yorwerth will be fit after a knee injury ruled him out of last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Weymouth.
But the good news is that his loan from League Two club Crawley Town has been extended to January 4 next year.
“We have all seen what he has brought to the club,” said Merthyr manager Gavin Williams, who thanked both Crawley and the Merthyr Board for being able to make the stay at Merthyr longer for the Bridgend-born former Ipswich defender who has, however, been starring for the Martyrs in midfield.
Williams said: “We are really pleased that Josh will be staying with us for the next couple of months. He’s quickly fitted into the squad and his experience and quality has been an asset since his arrival. I’d also like to thank the board for their continued support this season.”
He has so far made seven appearances and netted twice.
Doubtless, Merthyr would like to keep Yorwerth but he is on a year’s contract at Crawley and on good money, Merthyr at present paying a portion of his wages.
On the season so far, Williams commented: “I am happy with the way things are but there is a long way to go.”
The victory at Weymouth saw fifth-placed Merthyr extend their unbeaten league run to 12 games and boost their play-offs bid.
After Slough drew at the LoadLok Stadium, they went down 4-1 at Basingstoke. And last Saturday they lost 1-0 at home to fourth-placed Hitchin, leaving Slough third on 38 points, four points better off than the Martyrs. Seven out of Merthyr’s next 10 league matches are at home.
WEYMOUTH TOWN ...... 0 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1
THIS wasn’t a thriller for the large army of visiting Merthyr fans but it brought a worthy win.
The opening half was fairly even, the sides well matched. Gethin Jones came back into defence, alongside Curtis McDonald, allowing Jarrad Wright to push into midfield.
Jones had an early chance but headed over from close range. Bradley Tarbuck might have done better for Weymouth but his effort, after he avoided two tackles, went harmlessly wide.
Neither goalkeeper was called into too much action. But Merthyr got their goal two minutes from the interval.
Weymouth couldn’t deal with a corner and McLaggon got on to the loose ball to push it past keeper and manager Ja- son Matthews.
With Tarbuck doing well in the middle, Dan Smith and ex-Plymouth striker Stewart Yetton went close to an equaliser.
At the other end, McLaggon, the former Southampton forward, was tormenting the home defence.
Ben Watkins, who has done well since coming into the squad, cleared off the line from Calvin Brooks. But Merthyr looked like they could get another goal, judging by their determined raids.
It didn’t come but it was another good day on the road and when Garner was called into action, the former Welsh international pulled off solid saves.
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 2 KETTERING TOWN ...... 0
KETTERING, tipped to do well this season, are in mid-table but with a superior away record than at home, this game on Tuesday last week, was not going to be easy.
But Merthyr, possibly playing some of their best football of the campaign, particularly at the back, picked up the maximum points although the second killer goal came late on – from Yorwerth.
Ryan Prosser, Merthyr, had an early effort saved and then the visitors exerted pressure, forcing a number of corners.
But on 22 minuutes, a ball from the left found Ian Traylor whose leftfooted shot gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Kettering were competing well but never really creating enough to bother Garner in the Merthyr goal.
In the second half a pass from Traylor saw Prosser get in a shot but the keeper gathered. Prosser came off for Ellot Richards, on loan from Weston, Keyon Reffell set up the busy McLaggon but he fired wide. Then as time went on, Kettering turned the screw only to meet a stubborn defence. Kettering brought on former Newport man Aaron O’Connor, who has played for a host of clubs and was with County when Merthyr defender Scott Tancock was there on loan from Swansea City.
Merthyr attacked and tried to keep the ball in the corners. Then with a minute left, McLaggon pushed the ball across for Yorwerth, who to the delight of the home fans, hammered it into the net to ensure a win.