MARTYRS’ MCLAGGON BACK TO NETTING GOALS
FORMER Southampton and Salisbury attacker Kayne McLaggon ended a spell of six games without scoring, netting twice for Merthyr Town who earned a sensational win at Biggleswade to maintain their play-offs bid.
After two defeats and a draw in The Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, The Martyrs rallied and look likely to fiinish in the top five as they battle for a place in The Vanarama National League Division One.
Chippenham, unbeaten in 19 fixtures, went seven points clear at the top on Saturday. Merthyr were in fourth spot, three points behind second-placed Leamington and a point below third team Slough Town. But those teams and Hitchin Town, fifth, had played two games fewer than manager Gavin Willians’ side. Leamington were home to Kettering on Tuesday.
It will be tough for Merthyr in the play-offs semi-final if they finish in fourth or fifth spot as they will face an away game. Second will play fifth and third will play fourth. If they end second or third, they will be at home.
Whatever happens, this season has seen The Martyrs step up a gear after finishing 10th last campaign.
On Saturday Merthyr welcome Weymouth Town to The LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, (3pm).
The Dorset side are in 11th position, with 12 wins, 14 draws and 11 losses. They will be keen to get revenge after going down to The Martyrs by 1-0 in November with McLaggon the marksman.
One to watch for Weymouth is Stuart Fleetwood, ex-Cardiff City, Hereford, Forest Green, Luton. Eastleigh and Bath City.
They achieved a creditable 3-2 win over Kettering Town on Saturday, denting their outside hopes of a play-off slot.
They went two down before replying in style to end a sequence of three league draws and get their first win in six.
For a limited time only, lifetime ownership packages are on sale to Merthyr fans for just £250. For this price they will receive: Official Ownership Card, Loyalty Discount Card (A discount on items behind the bar in Romans & Webley’s), become a Lifetime Shareholder of the Society, the right to vote and stand for the Board of Merthyr Town Football Club, a personalised brick to be located inside The Atrium for life.
Anyone interested can click on Lifetime Ownership Package on the club’s website or contact the club.
Merthyr Board members and fans were represented at the funeral of supporter Granville Morris, who has died, aged 83, after being a Merthyr follower since he was 14.
BIGGLESWADE TOWN . 2 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 5
SATURDAY’S trip to Bedfordshire called for a “must win” for Merthyr.
They got it but thanks to a sterling fightback after they had trailed 2-0 before the turn-around.
Defender Scott Barrow’s sending off against Hitchin, brought him a three-game ban, starting on Saturday. It meant Scott Tancock, the former Swansea City man, reverting to left back, and Jarrad Wright partnering Curtis McDonald in central defence.
The pitch was difficult but the game had been given the OK after an overnight inspection.
Biggleswade started the better side, applyng early pressure. But it took a disputed penalty to give them an eighth-minute lead. It was an assistant referee who flagged for a foul on Rhys Hoeness, judgiung that goalkeeper Oliver Davies had brought him down. Hoeness took the spot-kick and slotted the ball home. The referee had waved play on as Davies had seemed to play the ball. And Davies protested as the penalty was awarded.
Merthyr, withiout big strtiker Ryan Prosser who was nursing a back injury, pushed men forward and then found themselves two goals down.
A ball out of defence saw Hoeness chase through from Lucas Perry, beating the defence, and driving past Davies on 35 minutes.
Merthyr began to get a grip and forced several corners, and after one McLaggon was there to pull a goal back five minutes from the break.
The second half saw Merthyr give an impressive display to shock the home team, who are in 10th place in the league.
But it took untiil the 70th minute for Merthyr to draw level. It came after four flag-kicks in a row, and Jarrad Wright was unnmarked and was able to power a header past the keeper.
The Waders tried to get back in charge, leaving three men in defence. This led to The Marrtyrs in full control with three goals in the closing 15 minutes. The chance of another free header was accepted by McLaggon – and Merthyr were ahead.
It was left to the substitutes Ian Traylor (87) and Corey Jenkins (stoppage time) to add more goals and cheer the small contingent of away supporters.
McLaggon’s goals took him to 21 for the season. The news was not so good for the Merthyr manager who during the game was sent to the stands for dissent. Williams was also named as one of the five Merthyr substitutes.