Martyrs draw comfort from unbeaten run
A RESHUFFLED midfield for Merthyr in recent weeks has posed problems and although they could only draw their last two home games, they extended their Southern League Premier Division unbeaten run to 15 games by Saturday.
The recall of giant-sized Josh Yorwerth to League Two Crawley Town after his successful loan spell was a blow to Merthyr manager Gavin Williams. The Bridgend-born player was called back to Sussex even though he still wasn’t selected for the squad.
Merthyr were again on Saturday without captain Ashley Evans, suspended for three games, becoming available for the visit to Basingstoke on Tuesday this week.
Another midfielder, former Ipswich trainee Elliot Scotcher, was still nursing a shoulder injury while the club had already said goodbye to Jon Brown, off to ply his trade in Bangladesh, and Jaye Bowen, a recent transfer to struggling Cinderford Town. Bowen, however, didn’t start a game this campaign, making five appearances from the bench.
In attack, Corey Jenkins has been nursing an injury and not ready to make the starting line-up.
Merthyr have drawn nine times, more than their rivals, but after Saturday were still in the play-off spot of fourth, three points behind second side Chippenham who had a match in hand.
Chippenham come to Merthyr on Tuesday, December 13 for what should be a stern test.
Kayne McLaggon, the former Southampton, Salisbury and Weston forward is having a good season for Merthyr. Manager Williams said: “I think that he’s already beaten his tally from last season, so I’m really pleased for him because he’s a great lad who works hard and deserves all the success he’s getting now.”
On Saturday, the Martyrs go to Cambridge City (who ground-share at St Ives, Cambridgeshire) for a 3pm start. City are without a home win since April 16. They were at Biggleswade on Tuesday night after finding themselves bottom but one in the table at the weekend with 12 points – two wins, six draws and 14 defeats.
Erkan Okay is their player-coach. He joined Histon from Ipswich Town’s academy and spent four seasons with them during their rise up the football pyramid. A short spell with Chelmsford followed before returning to Histon for a second spell. He then had four and a half seasons with Lowestoft Town before ending last season with Royston Town. Erkan holds Uefa A and B coaching licences.
Merthyr will take a busload of fans with it being their “Christmas Jumpers” trip.
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1 STRATFORD TOWN ..... 1
SATURDAY’S first-half performance by Merthyr was disappointing.
They stepped up the pace later and almost snatched a late winner when Ryan Prosser hit the bar but Stratford deserved a point from their workmanlike performance.
The attendance was disappointing, considering Merthyr’s run of results, and their worst this season in the league.
Curtis McDonald won most of the situations in defence for Merthyr, proving a good signing this season, while former Martyr Dan Summerfield did well at the back for Stratford, returning after a five-week injury sustained when this original fixture was abandoned through floodlights failure.
Early Stratford attacks were well coped with. Ryan Prosser and Elliot Richards combined for Merthyr only for Summerfield to clear. Then goalkeeper Niall Cooper saved well from Ian Traylor after the chance was set up by Keyon Reffell.
Merthyr were not at their best, missing their usual style of flowing football and when they reached the box found Stratford well-organised in defence.
Edwin Ahenkorah and Richard Gregory threatened for the visitors who led on 33 minutes. Merthyr lost possession, al- lowing Ahenkorah to race through and easily net, giving Glyn Garner in goal no chance.
Barry Fitzharris was unmarked after the break but his effort went wide for the Warwickshire side.
Gavin Williams brought himself on to try and create more midfield creativity. He replaced defender Rhys Baggridge with Jarrad Wright going into defence.
Stratford didn’t really look like improving their score while Merthyr pushed forward determinedly. The leveller came on 63 minutes.
McLaggon crossed and the ball came off an away player, giving Traylor the chance to beat the oncoming keeper.
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1 LEAMINGTON ............... 1
THE Tuesday night clash had been a better showing for Merthyr as they ended Leamington’s six victories in a row.
Merthyr looked the more likely to score in the second half but neither keeper had any saves of note to make.
Paul Holleran, the Leamington boss, commented later: “Merthyr are a good side. I thought it was a fair result. I thought the first half was excellent but the second half got a bit scrappy.”
Meurig Price, Merthyr Town chairman, was also pleased with a point. He said: “With 20 minutes left, it looked as if both sides settled for a point.” And another Merthyr official thought both sides seemed eager not to make a mistake.
There was a foul on McLaggon early on but the referee waved play on. And Merthyr made a fine start, going ahead on five minutes. Keyon Reffell sent the ball across and Ryan Prosser was there to fire home, past experiened keeper Tony Breeden.
The equaliser was disappointing from Merthyr’s point of view as the ball came across from the left. There was no-one able to clear and Darren Pond stooped to head in past a despairing Garner with 20 minutes gone.
Play was tight with neither side able to take charge for the rest of the half.
Reffell and Prosser combined in the second half but an opponent got in the way of the striker’s effort. As always, McLaggon worked hard up front for Merthyr but Breeden made a simple save from one attempt.
Corey Jenkins was a late replacement for Prosser and as time went on, it scarcely looked as if either team would break the deadlock. Leamington got in only a couple of attempts and Merthyr deserved a share of the spoils although the game between the two in-form teams did not live up to its billing.