MARTYRS READY FOR COUNTY TEST
NEWPORT County will fulfil a friendly with Merthyr Town tonight (Wednesday) at The LoadLok Community Stadium, Penydarren Park (7.30pm) and fans can “pay what they want”.
The League Two outfit will provide a stern test for the Martyrs who are still trying to complete their squad amidst players’ departures and injuries.
Newport had a friendly on Tuesday night at Chippenham.
Eliot Richards became the latest player to leave the Merthyr club, signing for Gloucester City and scoring for them in a friendly with Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
He joined Merthyr from Weston-super-Mare and has also been with Bristol Rovers.
Meanwhile, Ryan Prosser, Ashley Evans and Curtis McDonald have all been sidelined with injury problems. But it is now hoped that Evans will not need a hernia operation as first thought. The other two are still facing difficulties from injuries sustained last season. Prosser said he didn’t want to risk playing yet.
With Oliver Davies having signed for Hereford, Merthyr are likely to look for a new goalkeeper. Local Ricky Fowler has featured in friendlies so far.
Newport dramatically avoided relegation last season and will be looking to rebuild.
Merthyr boss Gavin Williams will assess the situation before he decides whether he will play in the coming season.
On Saturday Merthyr have a friendly at Pen- rhiwfer in the Rhondda (3pm) but it is expected to be mainly a young XI in action. Next Tuesday it’s a friendly at Penybont (7.30pm).
The first match of the new season in the South- ern League will be on Sat- urday, August 12 (3pm) with the visitors Hitchin who beat the Martyrs last term in the sem-finals play-offs.
On August 15, Merthyr travel to Stratford and then to Dunstable the fol- lowing Saturday.
There should be bump- er crowds for the games with promoted Hereford, away on August 28, and home on Boxing Day, December 26.
CAMBRIAN AND CYDACH ......................... 3 MERTHYR TOWN ......... 1
TRAILING at the interval, Merthyr had more of the play later on in this friend- ly but had several scoring chances blocked in the box.
The defence was given a tough test from the Welsh League Division One side and Merthyr’s only score came from a penalty.
Cambrian went ahead late in the first half and got a second before Stu- art Fleetwood pulled one back with a a spot-kick. There was plenty of Mer- thyr pressure but they conceded a scrappy third goal.
The visiting fans saw the unusual sight of manager Williams in the Merthyr goal until he was replaced by Ricky Fowler early after the interval but after a short rest, he returned to the play – in midfield.
Matthew Harris and Kerry Morgan were among Merthyr’s secondhalf substitutes. A COMPETITIVE encounter saw the Martyrs too good for their down-valley neighbours for Merthyr’s second pre-season friendly.
Treharris boss is former Merthyr defender Ross Porter but his team were soon a goal down to an Ian Traylor effort which took a deflection.
Traylor and Adam Davies increased the score before Treharris pulled a goal back.
Kyle Copp made it 4-1 before half-time. Stuart Fleetwood, who worked hard throughout, got the fifth goal before a goalkeeping error saw Treharris score.
Kerry Morgan was unable to net from a spot-kick before Gavin Williams made it 6-2.
Merthyr have lost the services of physio Andrew Needs after financial terms could not be agreed.
On August 3 (7pm), there will be a supporters’ meeting at Romans.
The manager will be present to answer questions as will the newlyappointed supporters liaison officers Anthony Hughes and Phil Mack, two members of the board.