Merthyr Town earned high praise after their Southern League match at St Neots Town, but luck just isn’t going for them.
The Martyrs fielded a young team, but they led twice and produced a performance full of grit, intensity and quality.
Kerry Morgan and Matthew Harris scored headed goals to put Merthyr ahead, but player-manager Gavin Williams was sent off inside the first 30 minutes for a second bookable offence.
Merthyr led 2-1 at that point, but within three minutes of Williams departure the home team had scored twice.
Away fans felt Williams jumped out of the way as a rash tackle went in, but referee Peter Howard insisted the former West Ham and Wales player through himself to the ground.
Williams was booked for diving and that left Merthyr battling with 10 men.
They were beaten 5-2 over the 90 minutes, but St Neots manager Matt Clements praised Merthyr Town, saying: “Huge praise and admiration for Merthyr’s team and fans.
“There are not many clubs at this level where people would that support and commitment to their team in the circumstances.
“They are a true credit to non-League football.”
The youthful Martyrs set about a tough task with relish and took the game to St Neots and the home club’s match report said: “The home side was more than usefully assisted by a foolish sending off when Gavin Williams collected a second yellow card for dramatic simulation after he had lost control of the ball.”
Martyrs fans were loud and proud, backing their club with noisy and humorous chants and songs.
Home supporters were silenced as Merthyr took the lead.
An attack down the right won them a corner and Traylor’s inswinging corner was met deftly at the near post by the head of Kerry Morgan whose flick sent the ball into St Neots’ net.
Three minutes later St Neots equalised when a delightful through ball from David Bridges released Lewis Irwin, who shot across goal to beat ‘keeper Cameron Clarke.
Harris headed in at the far post from a Williams free-kick after 24 minutes when the ball looped over goalkeeper Mike Emery to put the visitors ahead for a second time.
Williams was then dismissed and as Merthyr tried to reorganise they conceded a second goal when Johnny Herd crossed deep to the far post and Dion Sembie-Ferris netted from close range.
Within 60 sixty seconds St Neots went 3-2 ahead as a Sembie-Ferris cross was was half cleared and Luke Knight lashed the ball home.
Knight who scored a fourth goal for the hosts with a low shot from the edge of the area and Irwin netted his second goal of the match from a measured Knight cross.
In an attempt to maintain the momentum St Neots sent on three substitutes, but Merthyr were now entrenched as a defensive unit, soaking up the pressure.
St Neots: Emery, Bradshaw (O’Malley 68), Herd, Knight (Wood 77), McDevitt, Parr, Wiltshire (Horne 63), Bridges, Irwin, Shariff, Sembie-Ferris. Subs not used: Butler and Marsh-Brown
Merthyr Town: Clarke, Davies, Hanford, Jarvis Jarvis 77), Harris, Martin, Dima, Reddy, Williams, Morgan, Traylor. Subs not used: Montgomery, Hewitson, Godwin, Vine.
Attendance: 237
Referee: Peter Howard (Paddington)
Merthyr’s remaining fixtures in 2017:
December: Saturday 16 v Kings Langley away; Tuesday, December 19 v Basingstoke Town (home); Saturday 23 v King’s Lynn Town home; Boxing Day, Tuesday 26 v Hereford home (1pm kick-off).
Admission: Adult £10; Concessions £8 (Over 65’s, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders); Merthyr RFC season ticket holders £5; Under 16 £1.