Merthyr Town 2, Farnborough Town 0
Former Wales under-21 international Owain Jones believes Merthyr Town can launch a big push to qualify for the BetVictor Southern League play-offs.
The Martyrs are 12th in Premier South, 13 points behind Taunton Town in fifth place and have games in hand on most of the teams above them.
Two goals in two minutes during the first half earned Merthyr their home win against Farnborough Town in front of more than 400 spectators at the MetCoaches Stadium.
Gethyn Hill scored the first after 26 minutes and Jones added the second soon after. Merthyr were awarded a penalty just after the hour, but Jones’ spot-kick was saved.
“We’ve been playing well lately,” said 23-year-old Jones. “We deserved to win against Farnborough, although we’ve played better at times this season.
Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, Pass, GOAL! 🤩 @owainjones39 finished off a brilliant Martyrs move as they showcased an impressive display this afternoon 👊
🎥 @danieldavies111 pic.twitter.com/t0yYxZk0iB
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) January 18, 2020
“It’s the sign of a good team that we can win 2-0 when we are not quite at our best.
“There has been a big difference over the last month. The squad has come a lot closer and there is a lot less negativity. That shows on the pitch.
“Personally, I’m happy with with my own form. I’m playing good minutes, while the gaffer (Gavin Williams) and Clarkey (Dean Clarke) have been brilliant with me. I’m looking to repay them.
“We have a good run of games coming up and if we can put a run together and creep up the table we can push for the play-offs.
“This group are certainly capable of doing that.”
Swansea-born Jones, who has started his playing career with his home city club, has also played for Yeovil Town and Nuneaton Borough.
The Martyrs started strongly and Hill headed against the bar after a flowing counterattack. Ismail Yakubu then has a powerful header saved.
Man of the match Jamie Veale, a former Cardiff City youth player, set up Merthyr’s opening goal when he made a remarkable before squaring the ball for Hill to score.
Merthyr continued to play flowing football and Jones ended an outstanding passing move, firing into the roof of the net.
The referee waved away Merthyr penalty appeals after Hill was brought down on 52 minutes, while Ian Traylor had a fierce shot pushed over the bar by Farnborough’s goalkeeper.
That RUN 🤩
That FINISH 🎯@geth_95 opened the scoring today after a superb assist from @JamieVeale_ 😎
🎥 @danieldavies111 pic.twitter.com/UHaHAu73wb
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) January 18, 2020
Jones could have scored a third when Merthyr were awarded a penalty after Traylor was fouled, but the spot-kick was saved.
Hill then fired home in the closing minutes, but that was ruled out for offside.
Cardiff City: Alex Harris, Dan Summerfield, Adam Davies (capt), Ismail Yakubu, Jarrad Wright, Lee Lucas, Owain Jones (Corey Jenkins 86), Jamie Veale, Gethyn Hill, Ian Traylor (Ben Swallow 76). Subs: Ryan Prosser, Kyle Patten, Gavin Williams.
Attendance: 402
BetVictor Southern Premier South
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | -Pts | Pts | |
| Chesham United | 24 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 55 | 32 | 23 | – | 52 | |
| Truro City | 24 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 48 | 24 | 24 | – | 51 | |
| Tiverton Town | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 61 | 31 | 30 | – | 49 | |
| Swindon Supermarine | 23 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 43 | 29 | 14 | – | 47 | |
| Taunton Town | 23 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 49 | 35 | 14 | – | 43 | |
| Salisbury | 22 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 42 | 31 | 11 | – | 39 | |
| Hayes & Yeading United | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 43 | 34 | 9 | – | 37 | |
| Poole Town | 19 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 35 | 21 | 14 | – | 35 | |
| Weston-super-Mare | 23 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 43 | 36 | 7 | – | 35 | |
| Gosport Borough | 25 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 27 | 24 | 3 | – | 35 | |
| Farnborough | 24 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 29 | 39 | -10 | – | 32 | |
| Merthyr Town | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 27 | 24 | 3 | – | 30 | |
| Blackfield & Langley | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 31 | 38 | -7 | – | 30 | |
| Harrow Borough | 27 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 33 | 46 | -13 | – | 30 | |
| Wimborne Town | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 32 | 40 | -8 | – | 29 | |
| Metropolitan Police | 24 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 33 | 41 | -8 | – | 28 | |
| Hendon | 24 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 35 | 40 | -5 | – | 27 | |
| Walton Casuals | 27 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 36 | 60 | -24 | – | 25 | |
| Hartley Wintney | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 27 | 35 | -8 | – | 24 | |
| Yate Town | 24 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 44 | -14 | – | 22 | |
| Beaconsfield Town | 23 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 40 | -21 | – | 17 | |
| Dorchester Town | 26 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 34 | 68 | -34 | – | 15 | |
Merthyr Town fixtures
January
Saturday 25 v Gosport Borough (away)
Tuesday 28 v Hayes and Reading (home)
February
Saturday 1 Merthyr Town v Metropolitan Police
Tuesday 4 Poole Town v Merthyr Town
Saturday 8 Chesham United v Merthyr Town
Tuesday 11 Merthyr Town v Taunton Town
Saturday 15 Merthyr Town v Dorchester Town
Saturday 22 Blackfield and Langley v Merthyr Town
Tuesday 25 Wimborne Town v Merthyr Town
Saturday 29 Merthyr Town v Beaconsfield Town