Martyrs get a boost from Davies’ return
MERTHYR Town need to shake things up if they are to make the Evo-Stik Southern League play-offs after just one win in their last seven league and Cup fixtures.
After preserving an unbeaten league run since August 29, Gavin Williams’ side lost two matches in a row, including Cambridge City on Saturday who, under a new manager, won at home for the first time since April, getting maximum points after 15 games without victory.
And Merthyr travelled with just two substitutes-Williams himself and Corey Jenkins, the latter who has been struggling from an injury.
Merthyr clung on to fifth position, the last play-off spot, on a day when both Leamington and Slough lost at home.
On Saturday Kings Langley (Hertfordshire) come to Merthyr (3pm). They held Weymouth 1-1 on Saturday at home. Then The Martyrs face play-off rivals Chippenham Town next Tuesday December 13 (7.45pm) in what could be a crucial game for Merthyr who have struggled since losing Josh Yorwerth, recalled by Crawley Town, and having suffered other absentees in midfield.
Chippenham saw their home match with Chesham abandoned at the weekend after a serious injury to a visiting player.
Chippenham have Andy Sandell, ex-Newport County, banging in goals for them. He is the division’s top scorer with 15 goals, five from the spot. Kayne McLaggon, 10, and Ian Traylor, nine, lead Merthyr’s tally.
Kings Langley were in 17th spot at the weekend - 24 points from 22 games, six wins, six draws, 10 defeats, 35 goals for and 35 against.
The good news at the weekend was that defender Adam Davies has rejoined Merthyr. He signed for Hereford in October but Merthyr submitted seven days notice of approach after he was unhappy at Hereford and he agreed to return, international clearance being received on Friday to allow him to play at Cambridge.
Merthyr Town manager Gavin Williams said “It is great news that Adam has agreed to come back to us. We all know he is a quality player who will improve the squad that we have, and his return is a massive boost for us.”
CAMBRIDGE CITY ...... 1 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 0
A BUS-FULL of Merthyr fans, all dressed in their Christmas jumpers, enjoyed little festive spirit as the team managed very little on goal in the match, falling to a City side which has struggled all the campaign.
Playing a side which has just sacked the manager and brought in a replacement is always a problem. And City’s new boss Robbie Nightingale, from Soham, signed up six new players to face Merthyr. The Martyrs were without Scott Tancock, Ryan Prosser and Keyon Reffell, all unavailable because of work, and Jarrad Wright, serving a onegame ban after five bookings. There were just two on the bench.
Former Swansea City keeper Oliver Davies replaced former Bury player Glyn Garner.
Merthyr nearly trailed on four minutes, Charlie Woolfe beating the defence and getting a shot past Davies which, however, hit the “woodwork”.
Merthyr, with a defensive line-up, could hardly muster an attack. Eventually, it was left to Paul Cooper to head off the City line after a centre eluded the ‘keeper Enol Ordonez.
Ian Traylor did have a Merthyr chance before the break, sending a leftfooted effort wide. On 63 minutes, Curtis McDonald had a header cleared off the line by Paul Cooke after a throw-in from exNewport man Scott Barrow for Merthyr.
But two minutes later came the goal. Kieran Bailey crossed for Woolfe to beat Davies at the far post, tapping home.
McDonald hit the home bar and then Woolfe al- most got a second goal but was foiled by Davies.
BASINGSTOKE TOWN .. 3 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 2
MERTHYR lost their first league game since late August despite having plenty of possession on Tuesday of last week.
The Hampshire fulltimers had improved since their 4-0 drubbing at Merthyr earlier this season.
It was an all-action match on a cold night with defender Rhys Baggridge unavailable but Ashley Evans, captain, back after a three-game ban.
Nana Owusu met a cross to give the home team a second minute lead.
Merthyr rallied with some sparkling football.
On 23 minutes Ryan Prosser levelled after a corner. But near half-time Romone Rose drove in a terrific goal, giving Garner no chance.
On 51 minutes a hopeful effort from Matt Richards went up and over the diving Garner and it was 3-1. Afterwards, Garner apologised to his teammates for his blunder.
Merthyr were on top and Kayne McLaggon reduced the arrears on 70 minutes, netting through a crowd of players. But Merthyr fell to defeat, somewhat harshly.
Curtis Hutson, a forward, is on “loan” to Welsh League side Caerau Ely from Merthyr.
Uefa delegates from Spain, Montenegro, Scotland and the Republic Of Ireland left the LoadLok Community Stadium, impressed with the work and progress made by Merthyr Town Football Club and The Community Trust.
As part of a three day study group organised by Uefa, a group of community development officers from the aforementioned nations arrived in Merthyr to find out more about the award-winning community projects and the development of grassroots football.