Merthyr Town 5, Kings Langley 0

Merthyr Town are feeling at home – and their high five against Kings Langley is a major boost.

The Martyrs stayed in the Southern League Premier Division play-off places thanks to goals from Ben Watkins, Ian Traylor, Ryan Prosser and Kayne McLaggon (2).

This was the first of five successive home fixtures at Penydarren Park and their remaining matches in 2016 are against Chippenham Town on Tuesday (7.45pm), St Neots on Saturday (3pm) and Cinderford Town on Boxing Day (1pm).

Kings Langley made their first ever visit to Penydarren Park and won’t remember the clash with any pleasure.

Centre-forward Prosser scored one goal, but he also had another effort disallowed and failed to score from a penalty.

Merthyr had earned only two points from their previous four matches and badly needed a commanding team performance.

Player-manager Gavin Williams was delighted at the way his Martyrs came out hard and fast.

Jarrad Wright, Keyon Reffell, Ryan Prosser, Scott Tancock and veteran goalkeeper Glyn Garner all returned to the squad after missing Merthyr’s 1-0 midweek defeat at Cambridge City.

Oliver Davies, though, was again in goal and was delighted to keep a clean sheet.

Prosser headed Merthyr in front after 10 minutes and McLaggon made it 2-0 with a close range finish on the half hour.

Five minutes before half-time McLaggon flicked in a third from Scott Barrow’s lovely cross and the Martyrs were three goals ahead at half-time.

Taylor and Watkins sealed the win and Merthyr could have added another when Ashley Evans was tripped inside the penalty area. Prosper, though, failed to score from the spot.

Now Merthyr turn to their home clash with Chippenham, who are in third place and have won six times in 11 away League games this season. Only two points separate the teams and it is a chance for the home team to push themselves right into the promotion mix.

Merthyr Town: O Davies, S Barrow, C McDonald, S Tancock, A Davies, A Evans, J Wright, K Reffell, K McLaggon, R Prosser, I Traylor. Subs used: G Williams, B Watkins, C Jenkins.