Former Newport County defender Ismail Yakubu marked his Merthyr Town debut with a headed goal during their 3-2 home win against Hartley Wintney at the MetCoaches Stadium.
Gethyn Hill, from a penalty, and Ian Traylor were the other scorers in a win that was more convincing than the scoreline suggests.
The Martyrs netted three goals in five minutes just before half-time, surging back from a goal down to win.
Captain Adam Davies, Ryan Prosser, Kyle Patten and Dan Summerfield are all back playing after recovering from injuries, while Lewis Binns, Kerry Morgan, Eliot Richards, Ben Swallow were all still out.
Player-manager Gavin Williams will hope one or two of those will be ready for this Saturday’s BetVictor Southern League fixture against Hendon FC away.
New-look Hendon moved above Dorchester and are third from bottom after earning a 2-2 draw against Blackfield & Langley at Gang Warily.
Former Gloucester City, Wealdstone and Hemel Hempstead centre-half Tom Hamblin was sent off after 38 minutes on a straight card, but Hendon showed great spirit and character to come out with a point.
It was 1-1 at half-time with Isaac Galliford firing Hendon in front after six minutes, while Hisham Kasimu equalised just the half hour.
Fatah Makhloufi scored from a penalty to put Blackwell in front just before half-time, while Solomon Sambou, one of several new signings from Biggleswade Town in the Hendon line-up, completed the 2-2 scoreline eight minutes from time.
There are new leaders of the Southern Premier Division following a defeat for overnight leaders Chesham United and second-placed Tiverton Town plus Truro’s win at Beaconsfield.
Alex Battle scored the only goal at Beaconsfield, but was a brave effort by bottom club Beaconsfield.
Chesham`s first league defeat in six games, against Metropolitan Police at Imber Court. Tyrique Clarke scored for the Met after 67 minutes after 67 minutes.
Sam Jenkins looked as though he had earned the Generals from Chesham a draw when he equalised, but Ollie Knight scored during injury time to earn a 2-1 victory for Police.
WHAT a ball 🤩
CLASS finish 🎯@IanTrayz11 🔥🔥🔥🎥 @danieldavies111 pic.twitter.com/wMzEes0zsh
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) December 2, 2019
Tivvy lost 3-2 against Gosport Borough side who are now sixth. Charlie Kennedy (16 mins), Rory Williams (20) and Mike Carter 74) gave Gosport a 3-0 lead before Steve Colwell (80) and Josh Key (88).
It was a nervy finish, but Borough held on to take the three points,
Merthyr Town’s goals against Hartley Wintney were netted by Yakubu (36 mins), Hill (38) and Traylor (41).
They gave the Martyrs a 3-1 lead after Tyron Smith had given Hartley a 1-0 lead (33).
Jack Ball pulled one back just after the hour, but Merthyr held on for a home victory.
Merthyr Town: Alex Harris, Ben Swallow, Adam Davies (capt), Ismail Yakubu, Jarrad Wright, Kyle Patten, Owain Jones (Ryan Prosser 65), Jamie Veale, Gethyn Hill, Kieran Lewis (Dan Summerfield 90), Ian Traylor (Corey Jenkins 87). Sub not used: Gavin Williams.
Hartley Wintney: Luke Williams, Nathan Smart, Louie Paget (Jordan Alves 86), Alexandru Albert, Shane Hollamby, Tyron Smith, Joe Grant, Joshua Webb, Mickell Platt (Jack Ball 58), Adam Cornell, Salhin Abubakar. Sub not used: Tyrone Newton
Attendance: 377
Season tickets:
The Martyrs are offering half season tickets at the MetCoaches Stadium for the second half of their BetVictor Southern League Premier South campaign.
Prices from:
Adult – £110 which equates to £9.16 per game
Senior – £90 which equates to £7.50 per game
Student – £60 which equates to £5.00 per game
Junior – £5.00 which equates to £0.42 per game
For additional information or to buy contact Phil Mack on 07843849607.
Merthyr Town fixtures over the next month:
December
Saturday 7 v Hendon (away)
Saturday 14 v Walton Casuals (home)
Saturday 21 v Wimborne (away)
Boxing Day, Thursday 26 v Yate Town (home)
January
New Year’s Day, Wednesday 1 v Swindon Supermarine (away)
BetVictor Southern Premier South – 2019/2020
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
| Truro City | 17 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 30 | 14 | 16 | 38 | ||
| Chesham United | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 39 | 26 | 13 | 37 | ||
| Tiverton Town | 17 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 44 | 23 | 21 | 35 | ||
| Swindon Supermarine | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 23 | 7 | 34 | ||
| Taunton Town | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 31 | ||
| Gosport Borough | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 28 | ||
| Poole Town | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 27 | 14 | 13 | 26 | ||
| Salisbury | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 22 | 7 | 26 | ||
| Farnborough | 19 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 31 | -8 | 26 | ||
| Wimborne Town | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 26 | 29 | -3 | 22 | ||
| Metropolitan Police | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 25 | 30 | -5 | 21 | ||
| Walton Casuals | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 24 | 34 | -10 | 21 | ||
| Weston-super-Mare | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 24 | 5 | 20 | ||
| Merthyr Town | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 20 | ||
| Hayes & Yeading United | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 20 | ||
| Hartley Wintney | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 20 | ||
| Harrow Borough | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 30 | -6 | 20 | ||
| Blackfield & Langley | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 29 | -8 | 18 | ||
| Yate Town | 17 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 20 | 31 | -11 | 17 | ||
| Hendon | 17 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 21 | 33 | -12 | 14 | ||
| Dorchester Town | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 24 | 42 | -18 | 13 | ||
| Beaconsfield Town | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 29 | -17 | 10 | ||