Martyrs see in New Year with two new signings
MANAGER Gavin Williams has swooped to make two signings ready for the push to the Vanarama National League Southern Division.
As in the last campaign, Merthyr have at times had to mix and match in midfield, having seen several players leave. Now they have got Elliot Richards, the experienced ex-Bristol Rovers man, after he completed his loan spell, and former Swansea player Kyle Copp who has joined The Martyrs from Yeovil Town, one of Williams’s former clubs as a player.
Richards had a battle off the field last year, when playing with Cheltenham Town, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He overcame that to continue playing. He joined Merthyr for a loan spell from Weston but now becomes a permanent Merthyr player.
Copp joined Yeovil in August from the Swans but failed to break into the team other than for one outing in the EFL Trophy match in August when he was a substitute in the 4-3 win over Portsmouth.
Richards, who was born in New Tredegar, saw his loan deal at Merthyr end on December 31. He made his Martyrs debut against Biggleswade in October and made 15 appearances, with two goals. Richards played for Bristol Rovers, later joining Tranmere Rovers, Exeter (on loan), Cheltenham, Bath (on loan), Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USA, and Weston.
Copp, 20, is also a midfield operator who has played for Wales Under-17s. He was with Yeovil as a noncontract player after starting with Swansea Youth.
Manager Gavin Williams said: “I’m delighted Eliot has agreed to commit himself to us beyond his loan deal, and also that Kyle has agreed to join us from Yeovil. I was keen to strengthen the squad after a few departures, and these players have the quality to take us forward.”
At Cirencester (3pm start), The Martyrs will meet up again with a former player, Paul Hunt, former Forest Green hero, who is now No 2 at the Cotswolds club under Charlie Griffin.
Cirencester pipped Merthyr to the Division One South and West title a couple of years ago but have struggled of late and made managerial changes last year. But they snatched a vital point on Boxing Day with a 3-3 draw (a late spot-kick from Alan Griffin) at home to Chippenham, now fourth, as Merthyr rose to third with their 2-0 win over bottom side Cinderford Town.
Leaders Leamington were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stratford Town which meant Merthyr were seven points behind, although having played one more match.
Cirencester were 20th, just above the drop zone but with the worst defensive record, other than that of Cinderford, with 63 goals let in and 34 netted before the start of 2017.
Leamington boss Paul Holleran reckons that any one of seven clubs could be fighting his team for the top place and praised Merthyr when they shared the spoils with Leamington at The LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park.
Merthyr’s game on Monday with Redditch United was postponed because of a frozen pitch at The LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park.
With temperatures plunging at the weekend, the club took action to cover the ground but a morning inspection ruled the game off as even the 3G surface couldn’t beat the weather.
It was disappointing as another bumper crowd was expected. Monday was sunny with temperatures improving but if the match referee and Redditch, from Worcestershire, had arrived and then the game was called off, Merthyr would still have to pay the officials’ fees and expenses and Redditch’s when the game is re-arranged.
The length of the pitch near the grandstand doesn’t get too much sun and some players were seen to slip in that area in a recent match so the postponement was to be expected as safety is paramount.