Martyrs sign Newport County winger Compton

GAVIN WILLIAMS, the Merthyr-born ex-West Ham and Ipswich midfielder, has stregthened his Merthyr Town side for the final stages of the promotion to The Vanarama National League Division One.

He has signed Newport County winger Jack Compton on loan until the end of the season. And he made his Martyrs debut at the weekend, coming on as a substitute but his new side saw their 11-game unbeaten run ended by promotion rivals Slough Town.

Compton made 12 appearances for County this term, but is one of three told by boss Graham Westley he is no longer wanted at Rodney Parade.

But fans were impressed by his early season play. He lost his place when Westley took over.

Westley said Compton’s move would clear a small amount of funds if he wanted to add to the squad in their relegation fight from League Two.

If Compton does well at Merthyr, he could become a permanent signing next season when his County contract expires.

“I’m an out-and-out winger and I like to attack defenders and hopefully create chances for the players around me.” said Compton.

Aged 28, he has also played in the Football League for Bradford City, Portsmouth, Colchester United, Hartlepool United and Yeovil Town. He played 20 games for the latter last season with four goals. Williams, who has also played with Yeovil, doutbless used his links with them in his bid for Compton.

Torquay-born Compton began his career as a youth academy player with Portsmouth before signing for West Brom when 17.

He was unable to break into the first team and joined Conference National side Weymouth on a one-month loan deal, making his 2008 league debut in a 0-0 draw with Torquay.

The forward has been with a total of 14 clubs. Havant and Waterlooville and Weston-super-Mare are two of his former nonLeague teams.

Manager Gavin Williams said: “I am delighted to be able to add a player of Jack’s quality to the squad at this stage of the season.

“I would like to thank Newport County for agreeing the loan deal with us, and I would also like to thank the Merthyr directors for their continued support. He will be a great addition as we move into a crucial stage of the season.”

Meanwhile, defender or midfielder Ben Watkins, ex-Cardiff City, has joined Abergavenny Town on loan. Watkins, who can play right back or midfield, has made 11 appearances this season and scored his first goal for the club against Kings Langley in December.

Ben’s appearances have been limited in recent matches, and after a discussion with Williams it was agreed that Ben would join Abergavenny.

He will continue to train with Merthyr during his loan move.

Goalkeeper Glyn Garner and central defender Gethin Jones are currently on loan at Cirencester.

Merthyr were home to Hitchin Town on Tuesday night and host Frome Town on Saturday (3pm). For both games Merthyr were offering free admission to under-16s in a bid to get behind Merthyr’s battlle to reach The Vanarama National League Division One from The Evo-Stik Southern League Premier.

Frome were in seventh spot at the weekend after a 2-2 draw at Hitchin but look unlikely to make the play-offs.

They have won 15 league games, drawn 11 and lost eight.

Jefferies and Jackson netted for Frome at Hitchin.

Top of the table Chippenham now look like making a real challenge for the title, being eight points ahead of secondplaced Merthyr, the latter having a match at hand at the weekend.

Merthyr, Leamington and Hitchin were all on 68 points, with Slough, fifth and a point behind, at Cinderford on Tuesday. But Merthyr have played more matches than their close rivals and need to finish second or third to be home in the play-offs.

There are big plans from next season to re-organise the non-League football, with no relegation likely for Step Three clubs, such as Merthyr, at present.

SLOUGH TOWN ............. 1 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 0

A DEFLECTED conceded goal and a strong penalty appeal denied saw Merthyr slip to defeat on Slough Town’s 3G pitch watched by a large away following and Welsh exiles in the London area.

Merthyr threw everything at Slough in the latter stages, ending with virtually four men up front led by central defender Curtis McDonald in a desperate bid to level.

But it wasn’t to be and Merthyr have now lost twice and drawn twice this campaign with Slough.

They could both well meet again in the playoffs. Slough won at home in an FA Trophy replay with Merthyr.

Both teams were wellmatched in the first half. Manny Williams shot over the bar for Slough on two minutes.

Ian Traylor saw a header have a similar fate as did Chris Flood for the home side.

Kayne McLaggon seemed to be bundled to the ground by Nathan Smart but the referee waved play on. Even Slough boss Neil Baker said later: ”They should have had a penalty. It looked like a penalty from where we were.”

Merthyr pepped up play before the break when Compton and Jarrad Wright replaced Kyle Copp and Ryan Prosser. McLaggon had a chance to open the scoring but headed wide.

Slough were second best early in the second period. Compton went close with a 25-yard drive and Scott Barrow forced a save from goalkeeper Mark Scott from a free kick.

Then the deciding goal came on the hour. Mer- thyr lost the ball in their own half, Warren Harris crossed for Flood whose shot went off a Merthyr defender and past keeper Oliver Davies for a simple goal.

Merthyr had lots of possession but didn’t give Scott too much work to do, and Smart and Mark Nisbet were in superb form at the home rearguard.

Merthyr’s first real shot on target was not until the 68th minute but Compton’s free kick was held by Scott.

At the other end Davies saved from Gavin James. Then Merthyr switched to three at the back.

Traylor did well to beat two defenders but his hard drive was saved.

Near the end, McLaggon had a chance to level after getting onto a knockdown from McDonald but his shot squirmed wide of the post.

There was a bit of a players’ melee at the end with Merthyr unhappy at having that spot-kick denied, and Wright had his name taken on the way back to the dressing room.