Merthyr have final in sights
PENYDARREN PARK 7.45pm MERTHYR TOWN v HITCHIN MERTHYR Town are set for one of the biggest games in the club’s history as they face Hitchin Town in a play-off semi-final at the LoadLok Community Stadium tonight.
The Martyrs finished third in the Premier Division of the EvoStik Southern Football League after ending the 2016-17 campaign with four consecutive victories.
They thumped Hayes and Yeading United 4-0 on the final day of the regular season to clinch third place and earn a home semi-final tie against Hitchin, who finished in fourth.
The winner of the tie will face either Leamington or Slough Town in the final on May Day Bank Holiday Monday, with the overall victor set to join Chippenham Town in gaining promotion into National League South – the sixth tier of the English football pyramid.
Promotion would cap off a truly remarkable story for those supporters down at the LoadLok Community Stadium who took control of the club – previously called Merthyr Tydfil Football Club – after it was placed into administration in 2010.
Club manager Gavin Williams said: “I was a Cardiff fan growing up but I’d come to games; my cousin played here so I’d pop along and watch him and obviously I’d always keep an eye out for results.
“But this club means everything to me and not everybody gets the chance to manage their hometown team and feel that connection.
“The people in the crowd are the same ones you see in the street every day and giving something back to them is special. Of course, everyone likes to pick a side or be a manager and there is an added pressure with wanting to do well for the community, but it all adds to the enjoyment of it.”
Tickets for big match are £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £1 for under-16s.