Merthyr Town are putting their faith in teenage goalkeeper Lewis Webb.
Manager Gavin Williams has been impressed with Webb, a 17-year-old who made his first team debut at Walton Casuals during September.
Now Webb, a product of Merthyr’s youth development system, seems to be first choice ahead of ex-Cheltenham and Newport County goalkeeper Joe Perry, a 26-year-old from Caerphilly, is still at the EvoStik Southern League club and available for selection.
Webb’s form has led to him being selected by Wales Schools FA to play against Australian later this month.
Merthyr defeated Premier Division leaders Taunton 3-1 in their last match and now entertain a Salisbury team managed by the highly experienced Steve Claridge.
They have been promoted twice in the last three seasons under Claridge, winning the Wessex League Premier title and finishing runners-up in Southern League South and West in 2017-18.
Salisbury are third in the Southern Premier table, just ahead of Merthyr.
More than 500 spectators turned out to watch the victory against Taunton at the MetCoaches Stadium and the Martyrs will hope for even more against Claridge’s team.
Merthyr have been rocked again by a shoulder injury which will keep Craig McDonnell out for some time.
McDonnell damaged his shoulder against Taunton, including some nerve damage, and is likely to be out for at least three months. Jarrad Wright and Matthew Harris will have fitness tests before Saturday’s game against Salisbury and may be available.
Adam Davies and Joe Hunt are 3-4 weeks away following knee injuries. Corey Jenkins is likely to be available again over the next fortnight.
“It’s a massive blow to lose Macca and I feel sorry that he has sustained such a serious injury which is also going to affect his work,” said Merthyr manager Gavin Williams.
“The life of a non-league footballer is tough. They give a lot and it’s unfortunate when this happens.
“I’ve never known the bad luck we’ve had with injuries over the last four weeks or so.
“Our squad is really stretched and I was fearful before Tuesday’s game, even more so when we had to replace a centre-half with a forward.
“The players responded magnificently once again, particularly the young players who have come in and taken their chances really well.
“It’s just as well we have been able to call on some of our development team players or we would have had an even bigger issue.”
PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH LEAGUE TABLE
| P | PTS | GD | |
| Taunton Town | 23 | 48 | 28 |
| Weymouth | 21 | 42 | 21 |
| Salisbury | 22 | 42 | 19 |
| Harrow Borough | 22 | 40 | 17 |
| Metropolitan Police | 20 | 40 | 13 |
| Merthyr Town | 23 | 38 | 9 |
| Beaconsfield Town | 22 | 34 | 5 |
| Kings Langley | 22 | 34 | -1 |
| Hendon | 23 | 31 | -1 |
| Swindon Supermarine | 23 | 30 | 5 |
| Hartley Wintney | 23 | 30 | 1 |
| Poole Town | 19 | 29 | 12 |
| Farnborough | 24 | 29 | -14 |
| Tiverton Town | 22 | 28 | 2 |
| Walton Casuals | 22 | 28 | -6 |
| Gosport Borough | 23 | 28 | -9 |
| Wimborne Town | 23 | 27 | -6 |
| Dorchester Town | 22 | 26 | -12 |
| Basingstoke Town | 21 | 25 | -6 |
| Chesham United | 22 | 25 | -19 |
| Frome Town | 24 | 21 | -14 |
| Staines Town | 24 | 9 | -44 |