Byfield Spotted Omar Bogle Potential In Non-League

Merthyr Town manager Gavin Williams goes head-to-head with Darren Byfield at Redditch United in Saturday.

Former Jamaican international and Aston Villa striker Byfield, is Redditch manager and they are sixth in EvoStik Southern League Premier Division.

Williams’ Martyrs are in need of a win to stay in touch with teams in the play-offs.

Byfield spotted the potential of Cardiff City striker Omar Bogle when they played together for non-League club Solihull Moors in Conference North.

Bogle, signed by manager Neil Warnock from Wigan Athletic in August, impressed and scored on his full debut for the Bluebirds during their 3-1 win against Ipswich Town in midweek.

When they were team-mates a few seasons ago, Byfield said: “Omar is not only our (Solihull) top scorer, he’s the best player in Conference North and I would say he would be the best player in the league above. He’s that good.

“He will play in the Football League and that’s a fact. When I say that to people, they look at me and say ‘he’s playing Conference North’ but you just wait and see.

“He has everything. Omar can dribble, hold the ball up, score headers, score with his right foot, score with his left foot. He has it all.

“Omar is such a humble guy, wants to learn and will do well.”

While Bogle and his Bluebirds team-mates focus on Cardiff City’s match at Bristol City on Saturday, Byfield’s Redditch are at home against Merthyr Town.

Williams’ Martyrs lost 2-1 at Taunton Town in the FA Trophy last weekend and he said: “We are really disappointed. I thought we did okay in some aspects, but we were weak in the areas that really counted.

“Our build-up play was decent, but we didn’t look as though we were going to get the breakthrough.

“It’s a shame we are out of all three cup competitions now. Ties can generate finances for the club.

“When you have a good cup run, a lot of league fixtures will have to be postponed and moved to a Tuesday night when the lads will have to endure more travelling. Spinning it into a positive, it does give us more time to rest and prepare for league fixtures, although we’d much rather be in the hat for the next round for sure.

“It’s certainly not all doom and gloom. We are just a few points away from the play-off positions and a good run in the league could elevate us further up the table. There’s plenty to play for and there’s still time to turn this into a good season for us.”

Merthyr Town’s Boxing Day match against Hereford FC has been confirmed as a 1pm kick off. It is an all-ticket fixture.

The Martyrs’ match against Banbury United, scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 11, will be re-arranged after Banbury’s 3-2 victory against Tiverton in The FA Trophy.

Banbury earning themselves a spot in the 2nd qualifying round which takes place on that date.

The fixture against Basingstoke Town, initially scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, is being moved due to the Wales v Panama international friendly being played in Cardiff on the same night.

The new dates for both fixtures will be announced soon.

Merthyr Town (v Redditch), from: O Davies, A Davies, K Patten, J Wright, C McDonald, J Bowen, A Evans, E Richards, I Traylor, S Fleetwood, K Morgan, S Tancock, R Patten, K Copp, C Jenkins, M Touray.

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