St Ives 2, Merthyr Town 3
Ian Traylor scored twice for Merthyr Town in their Southern League Premier Division win at St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
This is a third successive League win for the Martyrs, who have moved into fifth place and travel to take on leaders Kettering Town in their next match.
Merthyr started quickly and went a goal in front on nine minutes when Traylor got to the bye-line and crossed for Jaye Bowen to finish from four yards.
The visitors extended their lead on 14 minutes when Bowen turned provider and played the ball through to Traylor, who slotted under goalkeeper James Goff to make it 2-0
St Ives hit back quickly when Phil Draycott scored from close range after some poor marking.
Merthyr led 2-1 at the break and there were few chances during the second half.
Quick-thinking by Stuart Fleetwood helped Merthyr create a chance after 69 minutes and that led to their third goal. A St Ives corner was cleared and Traylor took possession on the halfway line.
He tried to play the ball to Fleetwood, but the ball deflected to Bowen, who flicked it over St Ives defence.
Fleetwood was in an offside position and left the ball for Traylor, who collected and sprinted clear of Jordan Jarrod before slotting under Goff to make it 3-1.
The goal looked to have made the game safe for Merthyr, but a long clearance by Jarrod over Merthyr’s defence forced Jarrad Wright to foul Danny Kelly. The free-kick, taken by Kelly, was saved by goalkeeper Oliver Davies.
After 80 minutes a cross from left wing by Draycott was headed over by an unmarked Kelly from eight yards before St Ives pulled a goal back.
James Hall ran through when the home team played a long ball over the top and he lobbed ‘keeper Davies to pull a goal back on 84 minutes.
Manager Gavin Williams’ team saw the game out without any danger and on 87 minutes almost added a fourth when a Kerry Morgan free-kick was tipped onto the bar by Goff.
Merthyr had chances though the game to score more with near misses from Traylor and Fleetwood, while Cameron Pring hitting a post.
The Martyrs deserved three points, but once again the victory could have been more comfortable.
Merthyr’s next fixture is a cup tie at Shortwood United on Tuesday before they go to Kettering for a crucial league match on Saturday.
Merthyr Town: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Cameron Pring, Ashley Evans, Jarrad Wright, Scott Tancock, Jaye Bowen (Corey Jenkins 69), Kyle Patten, Stuart Fleetwood (Kerry Morgan 80), Eliot Richards, Ian Traylor (Curtis McDonald 72).
Unused subs: Robbie Patten, Kyle Copp.