Martyrs Savour Boxing Day Home Clash With Rivals Hereford

Merthyr Town are looking forward to a Boxing Day bonanza against rivals Hereford FC at Penydarren Park.

Former Newport County manager Peter Beadle, who has ex-Martyrs boss Steve Jenkins as his assistant, is building a team to push for promotion and the title.

Hereford have signed goalkeeper Oliver Davies and midfield playmaker Keyon Reffell from Merthyr. They have joined former Martyrs captain Ryan Green at Edgar Street.

Merthyr travel to Hereford for the first League clash between the teams on August Bank Holiday Monday, while the return fixture is in South Wales on Boxing Day.

The Martyrs will kick off the new season against play-off semi-finalists Hitchin Town.

Manager Gavin Williams has had a difficult time over the summer with several key players, including Davies and Reffell, moving on.

Scott Barrow accepted a full-time contract offered by Gateshead, while Kayne McLaggon has signed a two-year contract with newly-promoted home town club Barry Town United.

McLaggon has swapped Southern League football for Barry’s Welsh Premier League challenge.

Williams, who led Merthyr into the Premier play-offs last season, has signed ex-Swansea City winger Kerry Morgan and has also agreed terms with a number of last seasons squad.

Merthyr-born former West Ham midfield player Williams is also fit for the start of this season having been ruled out by injury for a large chunk of 2016-17.

Williams is working hard to strengthen his squad and he will meet Merthyr supporters for a question and answer evening at Romans, Penydarren Park on Thursday, August 3.

Club physio Adrian Needs, nicknamed ‘Chubbs’, has left his role. Williams could not agree terms with Needs for the new season.

A club statement said: “Gavin Williams and the football club would like to thank Andrew for his years of service at the club and wish him every success in the future.”

Merthyr have been drawn against Taunton Town or Totton away in the FA Trophy first qualifying round. Taunton host Totton on Saturday, October 7 and the winner will face The Martyrs on Saturday, October 28.

Merthyr Town FC fixtures

Southern League Premier Division

August

Saturday 12 v Hitchin Town H

Tuesday 15 v Stratford Town A

Saturday 19 v Dunstable Town A

Saturday 26 v Farnborough H

Mon Aug 28 v Hereford A

September

Saturday 9 v Bishops Stortford H

Tuesday 12 v Basingstoke Town A

Saturday 23 v Royston Town H

Tuesday 26 v Tiverton Town H

Saturday 30 v St Ives Town A

October

Saturday 7 v Kettering Town A

Tuesday 10 v Slough Town H

Saturday 14 v Gosport Borough H

Tuesday 17 v Weymouth A

Saturday 21 v Hitchin Town A

Tuesday 24 v Stratford Town H

November

Saturday 4 v Redditch United A

Saturday 11 v Banbury United H

Tuesday 14 v Basingstoke Town H

Saturday 18 v Chesham United A

Saturday 25 v Dorchester Town H

Tuesday 28 v Tiverton Town A

December

Saturday 2 v Biggleswade Town H

Saturday 9 v St Neots Town A

Saturday 16 v Kings Langley A

Saturday 23 v King’s Lynn Town H

Tuesday 26 v Hereford H

January

Monday 1 v Frome Town A

Saturday 6 v Dunstable Town H

Saturday 13 v Farnborough A

Saturday 20 v Kettering Town H

Saturday 27 v Slough Town A

February

Saturday 3 v Weymouth H

Saturday 10 v Gosport Borough A

Saturday 17 v St Ives Town H

Saturday 24 v Royston Town A

March

Saturday 3 v Chesham United H

Saturday 10 v Dorchester Town A

Saturday 17 v St Neots Town H

Saturday 24 v Biggleswade Town A

Saturday 31 v Bishops Stortford A

April

Monday 2 v Frome Town H

Saturday 7 v King’s Lynn Town A

Saturday 14 v Kings Langley H

Saturday 21 v Banbury United A

Saturday 28 v Redditch United H

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *