Friendly fire
Two wins for Martyrs
THREE or four new signings were likely to be unveiled this week ready for Merthyr Town’s opening game of the season in the Evo-Stik South Premier – home to Hitchin Town (3pm) on Saturday with manager Gavin Williams announcing his squad.
Merthyr lost to Hitchin on April 26 in the semifinals of the play-offs after penalties, the Hertfordshire side going on to lose out on promotion to Leamington.
A priority for the Martyrs was a goalkeeper. Manager Gavin Williams told the fans at a question-and-answer session last Thursday night: “We are looking to sign a goalkeeper but he is on contract at the moment with another club.” The player was hoping to get his contract cancelled.
“Otherwise we have a back-up plan,” said Williams.
Then on Friday the club announced that Oliver Davies had returned to the club after training and trials with other clubs in the close season. Signed last season from Swansea City, the goalie told the Merthyr boss in the summer that he was joining rivals Hereford. But after training with them, he went on trial with Yeovil Town. It was reported last week that he had signed for them but this was not the case. He was also linked with Newport County and Bath City. Merthyr fans welcomed his return.
Midfielder Eliot Richards, who joined Merthyr from Weston last term, was expected to join Gloucester City but he was back in Merthyr and played in the friendly with Hednesford.
Of the three players from last season who have been struggling with injuries, the Martyrs boss said: “Ashley Evans is all-right to play but Ryan Prosser is about six weeks off. It’s not certain about Curtis McDonald. He has to have an MRI scan and we will take it from there.”
McDonald confirmed on Saturday that he didn’t need an operation for a groin injiury. He was receiving injections and was seeing the doctor this week.
Williams agreed he needed another forward to join new signing Stuart Fleetwood. There could also be a defender on the way.
He admitted that Hereford United, promoted to Merthyr’s level this campaign, will be stern rivals. “We can’t compete with them with the wages they are paying at this level as well as Barry Town. It’s going to be hard after the players we have lost.”
Hereford signed former Martyr forward Keyon Reffell while the Seasiders snapped up Merthyr top scorer Kayne McLaggon.
Matthew Harris, who missed two seasons with injury, was progressing, said Williams. He added that he himself might play some games but felt he wasn’t fully fit at present. “And I am getting older,” said the 38-year-old.
The meeting also explained the background to the board’s decision to make the chief executive post redundant with Rob Price officially ceasing his employment at the end of this month.
The financial position was explained by vice-chairman Anthony Hughes and treasurer John Strand, the board having said they have had to make savings elsewhere too in order not to face a projected large deficit in a year’s time. There was also the need to replace the 3G pitch in years to come and meet in the next couple of years a big rental from landlords Merthyr Council instead of the weekly £1 at present. But the playing budget will be the same as last season.
Merthyr Town fans joined a large crowd at the funeral of long-standing fan David “Twiggy” Jones, who was 53. Members of Merthyr Cycling Club and Merthyr Running Club were also wellrepresented as David had been a keen runner and cyclist.
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 3 HEDNESFORD TOWN .. 2
EVO-STIK North Premier side Hednesford (Staffordshire) were strong opponents for Merthyr’s last friendly, on Saturday.
Merthyr led on five minutes. Jordan Wheatley headed away a Fleetwood cross but the ball came back to Fleetwood who set up Jaye Bowen to net.
Ian Traylor had a Merthyr shot stopped before Tom Thorley weaved through with Jordan Nadat firing wide for Hednesford.
On 30 minutes James Lawrie whipped the ball across and it came off a home defender for the equaliser.
Keeper Davies pulled off a good save as play moved from end to end.
Both sides made second-half changes. It was 1-2 after 66 minutes when Danny Glover netted a penalty after a foul by Harris.
After 75 minutes Kerry Morgan netted for Merthyr despite offside claims from the Pitmen. On 85 minutes former Swansea Youth player Jordan Islip hit Merthyr’s winner. From Abertillery, he has also been with Forest Green Rovers. A late change for Merthyr MacAuley Southam, released by Cardiff City, also impressed.
LLANELLI ...................... 1 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 3
FORMER Welsh Premiership club Llanelli are on the way back up after having to re-form in Welsh League Division Three.
This coming season sees them in Division One, and they gave the Martyrs a competitive game last week in a friendly.
Kerry Morgan soon put Merthyr ahead on eight minutes before the Reds levelled on 11 minutes through James Loveridge.
Merthyr went on to win with goals from Kyle Copp (51 minutes) in his second season with the club, and Ian Traylor (83).
Former Swansea City star Lee Trundle is with Llanelli and still doing a good job in the scoring stakes but didn’t play against Merthyr.