Rebels force Martyrs into FA Trophy replay
MERTHYR Town had a grip on a FA Trophy prize of £2,750 before the Rebels of Slough Town turned the tables to earn a home replay.
That game was played on Tuesday night with Monday’s lunchtime draw meaning a home clash with Ryman League Premier Division team Wingate and Finchley in the third qualifying round on November 26 for the winners. They won their Trophy game at Ware by 2-0. They are midway in their league table.
Merthyr were dealt a blow on Sunday when League Two Crawley Town recalled Bridgend-born Josh Yorwerth after previously agreeing to an extension of his loan until next January.
Crawley contacted the club to advise they are exercising the recall option. Merthyr manager Gavin Williams said: “Obviously we are gutted to be losing Josh, he has been fantastic for us during his time here. But he is a Crawley player, and they need him back.
“I would like to thank Josh for his commitment during his time here, and wish him well back at Crawley.”
Yorwerth, previously with Ipswich, made eight apperances for the Martyrs, scoring three times.
The Trophy replay meant Tuesday’s pencilled-in home fixture with Stratford Town, abandoned through lights failure on the original date, was again called off. With not many spare dates, it might mean the game will now not go ahead until late January.
This Saturday Merthyr face their second long trip in five days, travelling to Dunstable, Bedfordshire, in The Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.
Dunstable, seventh in the table, crashed 4-1 at home in The Trophy to 18th-placed Weymouth.
Merthyr and Dunstable figured in a seven-goal thriller at the LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, in August with Williams’ side triumphing 4-3 with two late goals.
On that day the visitors were physically strong but in recent matches they haven’t been at their best, with the defence at times frail on Saturday, according to reports.
Merthyr are unbeaten in the league since August 29 when they surprisingly fell 3-2 at bottom of the table Cinderford Town. Cinderford have now signed goalkeeper Cameron Clake who made two appearances for Merthyr this season but has had “loan” spells with Welsh League side Risca.
On Tuesday, November 22, top of the table Leamington come to Merthyr in what should be a stern test. The game kicks off at 7.45pm and Merthyr will seek revenge after losing 1-0 away to them early in the season after a late goal.
Kidderminster, Tamworth and Solihull are some of the previous clubs for experienced Leamington goalkeeper Tony Breeden. At the weekend, Leamington had 13 wins and three draws to their credit, with two defeats. AFTER a tough 1-1 draw mid-October in the league, following Slough’s nine wins in a row, Saturday’s FA Trophy tie was probabaly tipped by many as another even spoils outcome.
But with Merthyr 2-0 up at the interval, the picture seemed different until the Rebels of Slough controlled much of the second half and forced a replay.
Curtis McDonald’s onegame suspension meant Gethin Jones partnering Jarrad Wright in central defence. Ben Watkins and Scott Barrow were chosen as full-backs with Scott Tancock dropping to the bench. And recent signing from Swansea City, Oliver Davies, donned the goalkeeper’s gloves, meaning a bench seat for Glyn Garner.
Merthyr were pushed back from the start of this game which started at 1pm because of the rugby and football internationals in Cardiff.
Ashley Evans was pressed into action, clearing off the Merthyr goalline and then Lee Togwell crashed a shot onto the Merthyr post.
Elijah Adebayo, on loan from Fulham, burst through only for Jarrad Wright to win the ball for the Martyrs.
But Merthyr led on eight minutes when Scott Barrow’s corner gave Josh Yorwerth a free header which gave keeper Mark Scott no chance.
Slough threatened but missed some chances near goal and didn’t pose a great threat to Davies. Then before the interval, it looked good for Merthyr with a second goal which had the grandstand fans off their seats. Keyon Reffell crossed and it looked as it it was to be met by Ian Traylor but Kayne McLaggon interecepted it, smashing the ball home from more than 20 yards to stun Slough.
The second half was a different story with Merthyr holding back a little, losing their grip, and Slough almost got an early goal with a shot flashing just wide.
With Merthyr not being able to take command, Slough got a goal on 70 minutes. An accurate centre from Simon Dunn was met by substitute Charlie Moone and the former Woking striker headed past Davies.
Merthyr then brought on replacements Gavin Williams, manager, and Corey Jenkins, with Reffell, perhaps surprisingly, and Elliot Richards coming off.
Whether the substitutions were made too soon or not, Merthyr were under attack and on 75 minutes the scores were level. James Dobson did well to send his free kick past the wall and into the corner of the net to earn a replay.
Near the end Evans was sent off, retaliating after an over-zealous tackle by Dobson. Female referee Sarah Garratt, of Halesowen, sorted matters out, showing the red card after there had first been an ugly fracas involving several players.
Evans will later face a three-game suspension.