Mixed fortunes for Martyrs
A win and a loss for Merthyr Town
MERTHYR Town took their points tally to 13 from the past six games in a good run which has impressed considering the club’s cash difficulties which emerged last November.
And teenage goalkeeper Ed Hewitson, from the club’s development squad, has been highly praised after taking over the gloves, winning compliments from Royston fans and officials last Tuesday and again doing well on Saturday against St Neots. He was brought in after a couple of appearances earlier in the season, when Oliver Davies signed for National South side Hungerford Town last week.
The players who remained after the wages were heavily cut have all rolled their sleeves up for the club, and last week forward Corey Jenkins turned down an offer from a Welsh League club, deciding to stay at Merthyr.
Captain Ashley Evans plays on but will at some point need a hernia operation, said Football Secretary Jamie Mack.
Former Merthyr defender, who has also played for Welsh Premiership and Welsh League sides, Lee Hartshorn plans to return to football to join Merthyr for next pre-season and was at the game on Saturday.
The club’s interim board have kept the club going as well as trying to plan ahead. But fan-owners of the club have been voting for a new Board. The nine members of the Interim Board are again standing for election as well as two new names.
Votes will be counted on Monday, March 26, the deadline for votes, with a new Board probably ready to hold their first meeting the following Monday.
The Martyrs face two successive away matches – Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, this Saturday and Bishop’s Stortford the following Saturday with the next home match with Frome Town on Easter Monday, April 2 (3pm).
Biggleswade had their game called off at Tiverton Town on Saturday. They were in 19th place in the Evo-Stik South Premier with seven wins at home, five draws and five defeats, and a goal difference of minus three. But they have three games in hand over The Martyrs who are now in 16th position. Bishop’s Stortford are currently 18th in the table.
The postponed home game with Chesham will now be on April 10, 7.45pm.
The annual Ex-Players Day at Merthyr Town, postponed on March 3 after snow, will now be held on Easter Monday, April 2, from 1pm at The Romans Bar.
All past players are welcome to attend and share stories of feats of the past, league and cup wins etc.
The Evo-Stik South Premier game is Frome Town (3pm).
MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1 ST NEOTS TOWN .......... 0
SATURDAY’S game, played in bitterly windy conditions throughout, saw Merthyr take the points with an early goal, both teams battling throughout in a competitive encounter.
The gate was disappointing but probably hit by the weather and TV sport, including the imminent Wales v France rugby clash. But still a blow to the finances when Merthyr Town are trying to plan ahead.
Aftee just two minutes, the strong Jarrad Wright rose well to meet Ian Traylor’s cross and head into the top corner of the net past Finlay Irons, the 17-year-old goalkeeper.
Ryan Prosser who had been presented before the start, by interim chairman Paul Donovan, with a trophy to mark his 300 appearances for the club, just failed to find Traylor as Merthyr pressed.
But at the other end Hewitson had to save from Dylan Williams after a chance created by the busy and much-travelled Nabil Shariff.
Then Kyle Patten headed into touch as Shariff made ground. Kerry Morgan was active for Merthyr, looking for snap shots. Hewitson saved well from Dion Sembie-Ferris and Tom Wood headed over.
Both defences stood out, and Adam Davies cleared after a strong run by Williams. Merthyr replied and Jones ran through but was halted by Dan Buddle.
Morgan went close to extending the lead and then Jones’ cross-shot was saved in the air by Irons.
For the second half Jones made way for Corey Jenkins, and from the start Morgan again went close.
Merthyr lost their edge at times, trying to push ahead but Adam Davies attacked from the back while at the other end, a solid tackle from Matthew Harris stopped Senbie Ferris.
Wright had another attempt stopped by Irons before Jaye Bowen replaced Morgan. There was pressure from St Neots with four corners in a short spell.
Merthyr deserved the win although they had late chances to seal the game. Traylor headed wide from Davies, Bowen struck the post and Traylor burst through only for Irons to palm the ball away.
After such a cold afternoon, the players deservedly were applauded off the field.
ROYSTON TOWN .......... 5 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1
DESPITE a nightmare Tuesday journey, a young Merthyr side did well, being 2-1 down until they conceded three late goals.
Traffic problems meant the match kicked off 30 was much re-shuffled with developmen squad players replacing some of the experienced men.
Teenage keeper Ed Hewitson was soon in action for Merthyr but they enjoyed plenty of the play and they might have done better from a corner after Josh Tibbets in goal had dived to push out a shot.
But on 17 minutes, Adam Marriott, with Lincoln City last term. sent Three minutes later, Miles John was upended and Owain Jones confidently netted from the spot. But after 30 minutes Adam Murray restored Royston’s lead after a flag-kick.
Jones found the net but a goal was ruled out.
In the second half, Merthyr found it hard to break through but the players gave their all, Craig Reddy blocking the ball three times in one move. Again but it was no goal.
Merthyr went down to 10 men when injuries made their toll. Adam Vine came on up front and assistant boss Dean Clarke was another substitute, coming on 21 years after making his Martyrs debut. Royston added goals in the 78th, 81st and 85th minutes, all through Marriott.
The trip home saw more road problems with some
players not getting home until 4am.
Manager Gavin Williams said: “It was a great effort by everyone who travelled. Pretty much everything that could go wrong went wrong, but I thought we acquitted ourselves well in the circumstances and I don’t think the scoreline was a reflection of the performance or the effort put in by the players.”