TWO-GOAL KAYNE IS ABLE

MERTHYR TOWN ensured home advantage in their playoff semi-final with four goals in a 15-minute second half spell to sweep aside relegated Hayes & Yeading United.

United played with plenty of freedom in an even first half and came closest to scoring when Martyrs captain Ashley Evans was forced to head the ball off the line following a corner.

Merthyr’s best chance came from an indirect free-kick on the six-yard line after Hayes keeper Danny Boness fielded a ball back from a defender, but the shot was blocked.

But the hosts never looked back after their most dangerous player of the opening period Corey Jenkins ran free to slot the ball underneath Boness a minute after the restart.

Jenkins then went on a pacey run down the left to cut the ball back for Eliot Richards to apply the finish, before Kayne McLaggon scored twice in three minutes.

First, McLaggon was on hand to touch the ball into the net after Richards’ run into the area on the left, before doubling his personal tally with a finish inside the far post.

Martyrs keeper Oliver Davies was tested by a couple of long range efforts, but his side will now play Hitchin Town on Wednesday.