MARTYRS READY FOR BANBURY CHALLEGNE
TWO sides battling to make the play-offs or even get automatic promotion to the Vanarama National League Division One meet at the LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, when Merthyr Town entertain Banbury United on Saturday (3pm).
Merthyr were scheduled at home to King’s Lynn on Tuesday night with Banbury hosting Chesham.
After the weekend – Merthyr winning at Kettering and Banbury 2-1 home victors over St Neots – the Martyrs were in fourth spot, 55 points from 29 matches and Banbury a place and a point behind but having played one more fixture. Conor McDonnagh got both Banbury goals against St Neots.
When the sides met in Oxfordshire earlier in the season, Banbury voted Merthyr the better team but a last-gasp goal from Jack Self rescued a point for the home side who are managed by former Oxford United and Cardiff City player Mike Ford who was once caretaker boss at Oxford before managing Brackley Town. Jarrad Wright had given manager Gavin Williams’ outfit the lead.
On Tuesday, January 31 (7.45pm) Merthyr are home to Redditch United, a game postponed because of the weather on January 2.
Redditch have slipped to almost halfway in the table, and lost 2-0 at home to Biggleswade on Saturday.
During the half-term in February Merthyr are offering under-16s the op- portunity to support the Martyrs for free as the promotion push from the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division hots up.
The games are Hitchin Town (frozen off a week last Saturday) on February 21 at 7.45pm and Frome Town on Saturday, February 25, 3pm. Both fixtures could prove decisive for the Martyrs.
KETTERING TOWN ...... 1 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 3
AFTER taking an early 2-0 lead, the Martyrs completed a professional performance on Saturday to keep their promotion hopes going and strike a blow to the Northamptonshire side’s own aspirations.
With Merthyr on good form and Kettering still puzzling over their poor home record, the result was perhaps no surprise, but the win came after a fine team performance which drew praise from Town chairman Meurig Price.
Central defender Curtis McDonald returned after a two-game ban and gave a solid showing. Among those on the bench were Kyle Cope, the recent signing from Yeovil Town, and Kyle Patten returning to the squad after he missed all last season through injury and having been on loan to Taffs Well.
Jarrad Wright was unavailable through work commitments.
The ground was heavy after a sharp overnight frost and the game was fought out in bitterly cold conditions.
Kettering started brightly only for Merthyr to lead on eight minutes. Ian Traylor’s corner was flicked on by Kayne McLaggon and McDonald was there to powerfully head the ball past goalkeeper Paul White.
Kettering were at fault as Merthyr made it 2-0 after 16 minutes.
The home defenders stood still and Elliot Richards, a former Bristol Rovers star, controlled the ball from a throw-in helped on by Ryan Prosser before finishing well.
Kettering didn’t create anything positive, giving Oliver Davies a quiet time in the away goal.
Matthew Barnes-Homer looked the most likely to get the home team back in the match.
Merthyr pushed back in defence somewhat, relying on breaks.
Richards almost got another goal before the break but the keeper pushed the ball onto the bar and collected.
Kettering had a goal denied early in the second half for offside and then Liam Canavan forced a save from Oliver Davies.
Corey Jenkins and Kyle Patten replaced Richards and McLaggon at midway in the second half.
Then in the 66th minute Kettering managed to claw their way back but it was a controversial goal.
Two former Newport County players combined – Aaron O’Connor setting up the much-travelled Rene Howe who poked the ball goalwards.
There seemed controversy as to whether the ball had crossed the line or whether there had been a hand ball with Davies and a defender battling to keep the ball out. But a goal was given. Scott Tancock protested and earned a yellow card.
Keyon Reffell had a chance for Gavin Williams’ side but he failed to control a corner.
Then at the other end Davies saved from Howe.
Kettering’s aim of salvaging something were dashed on 76 minutes when a back-pass was miss-hit and substitute Corey Jenkins burst through to net a killer goal, getting around the keeper.
The game ended with Kettering boss Marcus Law under verbal attack from some of the home supporters while Merthyr’s travelling band were delighted.