Home comforts
CAPTAIN of Merthyr Town Ashley Evans picked up the supporters’ Player of The Year trophy on Saturday, looking ahead to tonight (Wednesday) and the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division semi-finals play-offs.
He led his side to a 4-0 home triumph over relegated Hayes and Yeading with the reward a home clash with Hitchin Town at The LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, (7.45pm) in a battle to reach The Vanarama National League Division One.
Also tonight Leamington and Slough will meet in the other sem-final. The final will be played out on Monday May 1, the team placed highest in the league having home advantage.
Hitchin finished fourth and Slough fifth with The Martyrs claiming a creditable third spot, below Leamington and the champions Chippenham who took the only automatic promotion berth.
Gavin Williams’ Merthyr side face a tough task to climb up the English pyramid non-league ladder as they have not managed to beat the top teams in the regular season.
But they march into the play-offs as the best on-form side over recent matches.
There is sure to be a bitg crowd to spur on Merthyr who have already earned three promotions since Merthyr Town were established after the predecessor club Merthyr Tydfil was liquidated.
Hitchin were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at mid-table Basinstoke while Slough saw the same score over visiting Redditch United only thanks to a stoppage-time spot-kick.
When Merthyr went to Hitchin last September, a 1-1 draw resulted, Curtis McDonald scoring for The Martyrs. The return clash in February saw a 2-2 draw, Jack Compton and Corey Jenkins getting the Merthyr goals.
McDonald may miss out on Wednesday, still suffering from a groin strain which has seen him sidelined for the past five games. He did say before the Hayes game, he still hoped to be involved if Merthyr reached the final. The good news was that he did not need an operation.
Several injuries have made it difficult for Merthyr. Defender Scott Tancock, ex-Swansea City, was set to return against Hayes and Yeading but at the last minute there was a change with Kyle Patten, formerly with Newport County, replacing him to play alongside Jarrad Wright.
Top scorer Ian Traylor also missed the Hayes game after suffering a gashed leg against St Ives but he could be in contention for a return in the eagerly-awaited Hitchin battle.
Matt Lench netted for Hitchin against Basingstoke. An attaking midfielder, he has also been with rivals Chesham United. Brett Donnelley is an experienced marksman for Hitchin.
After Saturday’s match, Merthyr chairman Meurig Price presennted some of the season’s awards, but there will be a presentation night later.
Captain Evans, as well as winning the Player of The Year award, was the choice of Merthyr’s Travel Club, with goalkeeper Oliver Davies voted the best player by the Junior Martyrs.
Whatever the play-offs outcome, Mr Price has been pleased with the season, and said: “When the new season starts in August I know it will be one of renewed optimism. Gavin and his staff will do all in their power to field a team that we should all get behind and support and who knows what that new season may bring.”
Director Phil Mack commented: “A great season and Gavin Williams has been brilliant in his first season as a manager and could lead us to promotion.”
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 4 HAYES AND YEADING 0
FOUR goals in 18 secondhalf minutes destroyed the visitors who were making their first appearance in Merthyr.
Despite a battling first period, they fell to defeat, suffering their second relegation in two seasons, disappointing their travelling fans who nevertheless praised their welcome in Wales.
Mitchell Weiss and David Hutton were lively for Hayes and Evans had to clear an effort off the goalline after a corner in one raid by the visitors.
The Martyrs didn’t find it easy getting their game together and some midfield passes went astray. They had a chance with an indirect free kick after keeper Danny Boness touched a back pass but the shot was charged down.
With Merthyr already in the play-offs but needing to win to end up third and gain a home playoff match, the tension mounted.
It all came good after the break and it took Corey Jenkins, star man in the game, just 18 seconds to net after bursting down the left.
On 54 minutes another run from Jenkins saw Eliot Richards drive in the second goal.
Richards, the former Bristol Rovers man, did the spade work as Kayne McLaggon got the last touch to beat Boness.
With the crowd enjoying the resurgence, there was more to come after 64 minutes when McLaggon netted again to take his goals tally to 23, the same as Traylor.
Hayes made some changes and kept up the action but Merthyr, also bringing on substiututes to rest some men before the Hitchin game, completed a worthy win, their 15th at home in the league this term.