Merthyr Town 4, Hayes and Yeading United 0

Merthyr Town completed their Southern League fixtures with a thumping victory and earned themselves a home tie in the Premier Division play-off semi-finals.

The Martyrs finish third, behind champions Chippenham Town and runners-up Leamington, and now play Hitchin Town at Penydarren Park on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).

The other semi-final, also being played on Wednesday, is Leamington FC v Slough Town.

Merthyr scored all four of their goals in the second half.

Manager Gavin Williams was forced into a late change to his starting line-up when Scott Tancock cried off. The central defender suffered a damaged ankle during Merthyr’s 1-0 win at Redditch on Bank Holiday Monday and had hoped to play.

But he wasn’t quite ready and Kyle Patten stepped up to the starting line-up alongside Jarrad Wright at the back.

Manager Gavin was also without Curtis McDonald and Ian Traylor, but Jack Compton returned and was among the substitutes.

The Martyrs struggled to find their best form against a Hayes and Yeading team already virtually doomed to relegation before kick-off.

Merthyr won 6-1 against Hayes away earlier this season, but this was a far more even contest during the first half at least.

Mitchell Weiss forced goalkeeper Oliver Davies into a save when he ran clear and shot low, while Kayne McLaggon’s best moment of the first half came when he cut inside from the right and went for goal. He was denied by alert keeper Danny Bisoness.

Scott Barrow fired narrowly wide from a free-kick, while Hayes almost went ahead during first half injury time.

Captain Tom Broadbent headed goalwards from a corner and the ball flew past Davies. Merthyr captain Ashley Evans was in perfect position to clear off the line.

Merthyr were bitterly disappointed with their first half performance and there were almost certainly a few harsh words said by manager Williams during the break.

The message was heard loud and clear by his players and Merthyr scored their first goal after 18 seconds of the second half.

Winger Corey Jenkins drove at the defence and fired home and Hayes were rocked.

Jenkins struck again when he set up Eliot Richards for Merthyr’s second after 52 minutes and then McLaggon struck twice in two minutes just after the hour.

Ashley Evans and Richards set up the first and McLaggon struck from close range, while the striker ran clear and rolled his shot into the corner as goalkeeper Bisoness rushed out.

Merthyr used their full quote of three substitutes and eased to a convincing victory.

Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies, S Barrow, A Evans, capt (K Copp 71), J Wright, K Patten, C Jenkins, K McLaggon (J Compton 71), K Reffell, J Bull (R Prosser 60). Subs not used: J Bowen, K Copp.

Referee: Neil Templey (Witney).