Defender Yorwerth joins Martyrs on loan

games, Merthyr face a tough return to the LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, on Saturday when they take on Southern League leaders Slough Town (3pm).

But Martyrs’ hopes will be high as they have taken maximum points from their only three home matches this campaign.

Slough co-managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood point out their “fantastic start to the season” and say they are aiming to win the league title. A striker to watch is Gavin James, formerly with Maidenhead and Wycombe, who netted more than 40 goals for Flackwell, earning a cap for St Vincent and The Grenadines. Centre back Mark Nesbit is also exMaidenhead and joined the Rebels in the sumer.

CHESHAM UNITED ...... 1 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1

IT WAS frustrating for Merthyr on Saturday as they were able to only draw again for the fourth successive away match in The Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

A couple of victories would have pushed them up the table. They were in 11th spot (with one or two games in hand over opponents) but that doesn’t show a true picture as Tuesday night’s home game with Dorchester Town (report next week) was only their fourth home clash of this season as opposed to eight league fixtures on the road, as well as three FA Cup trips.

Scott Barrow returned from injury but Adam Davies came back for a substitute’s role, after his knee problem, with Ben Watkins keeping his place.

Early play was unexciting with few chances to score either end. The Buckinghamshire men exerted more pressure as the half went on.

Barrow combined with Reffell and Kayne McLaggon crossed but there was no-one there to connect. The ex-Cardiff City defender Darren Purse was strong in the air for Chesham but earned a booking for a foul on Reffell.

It was the latter who should have netted for Merthyr but he totally missed the pass from McLaggon who had edged past Purse. Later Reffell had his name noted after fouling Purse.

Barry Hayles, the former Fulham and Bristol Rovers player, seized on a Merthyr error but Watkins was able to put the ball out for a corner.

It was Merthyr ahead on 50 minutes. Chesham defenders were rather slack, for a rare time, and McLaggon easily scored from close range after Reffell’s low cross. Benji Crilley and Ryan Blake combined for Chesham but Rhys Baggridge did well to clear.

Play livened up but both defences still looked solid. Ian Traylor came on to replace Merthyr’s Elliot Scotcher.

Then with seven minutes left, the score was level. A long ball bounced in front of Merthyr defenders and Blake fiercely drove home, giving former Welsh international goalkeeper Glyn Garner no chance.

Both sides battled for a winner. Scott Tancock denied Chesham’s Pearce, and substitute Ryan Prosser was soon in the thick of the action. He headed the ball for Traylor to chase through only for his attempt to roll along the ground for keeper Jones to collect.

Chesham boss Andy Leese commented: “I thought Merthyr would have done better last season. But I think they will finish in the top five this season.”

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP MERTHYR TOWN ......... 0 CINDERFORD TOWN ... 0

THE Martyrs, holders of the Southern League Challenge Cup, made their exit in the first round.

But this was a game between mainly a Merthyr development squad against a largely reserve Cinderford on Tuesday of last week.

Merthyr peppered the visitors’ goal in the opening half with Steve Bowles, the keeper, pulling off save after save, although some of the shots did go straight at him.

With both teams making changes, it was Cinderford who edged the second half but neither side really looked like breaking the deadlock. And so to penalties, some of them from both teams not the best. But it was the Foresters who snatched the win.

Charlie Loss, son of former Merthyr favourite Colin, set up Ben Watkins early on in the first half but Bowles collected. Manager Gavin Williams, who came off early in the second half after showing his guile and experience, also tested Bowles.

Merthyr were playing fast football with some telling long passes. Loss flashed an effort wide. Merthyr were on top, firing at goal whenever they could, the visitors relying on breaks.

Karnell Chambers, ex-Evesham, was close for Cinderford after the break. Later, goalkeeper Cameron Clarke tipped a Chambers shot over the bar as the away team began to improve.

Second half play became rather disjointed, and Scott Tancock came off for Merthyr, having been one of the most experienced home players on the night in a young squad.

The Merthyr youngsters provided hope for the future, and Williams is keen on watching the development squad progress.

Bearing in mind the team selection, the club’s board decided to cut admission prices for the game, and there was a bigger gate than this competition usually attracts.

Before the game, Williams said: “I had planned on playing our first team squad, with a couple of players from our development team who have started the season well.

“With the FA Cup and early season league schedule this stage of the season is always busy, but on top of that we have had eight successive away games.

“The attitude and commitment shown by the players has been first class with the amount of travel that they have had to do, I have never known a run of games like it.

“We feel like we are living on a bus at the moment! I need to give some of the boys a rest.

“I can’t afford any more injuries as we enter a busy stage of the season and I hope our supporters will understand why I need to make changes for the game.

“I think they have found the travelling difficult too, but all credit to them because they have continued to get behind the team on the road with us.”