Ryan Double Earns Martyrs’ Last Day Draw

Ryan Prosser led the charge for Merthyr Town in a 2-2 Southern League draw against Redditch United.

Almost 500 spectators were at the Loadlok Community Stadium for the Martyrs’ final Premier Division fixture of the season.

Big centre-forward Prosser scored both goals for Merthyr, the first headed in and the second from a penalty.

Home manager Gavin Williams was sent to the stands by the referee, while Tom Harris has left his job in charge of the Redditch team.

Backroom staff Alex Sykes and Lee Randall are also leaving the club.

Redditch chairman Chris Swan said: “Tim and I have held several meetings and, while these were perfectly harmonious, it became clear that we had differing views on how the football club can develop and progress.

“Both parties believe the right course of action is to part ways.”

Merthyr Town manager Gavin Williams. Pic: MTFC.

Merthyr went close to taking the lead against Redditch when his fierce shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down.

They were claims the ball had bounced over the line, but the officials said no.

Adam Page fired Redditch ahead when he punished Merthyr for a poor clearance and fired into the corner from 18 yards.

Prosser made it 1-1 when he headed in from a Kerry Morgan cross. That goal came soon after Williams had been sent to the stand.

Harry Franklin went close following good work by Corey Jenkins before Morgan was fouled and the home team were awarded a spot-kick.

Prosper took the penalty and sent goalkeeper Elliott Ross the wrong way.

It was former Cardiff City and Merthyr striker Stuart Fleetwood who had the last word when he went round goalie Ed Lewiston and scored.

It has been a difficult season for the Martyrs, who have fought back after running into financial problems.

Manager Williams stabilised the team and, supported by loyal coaching staff and club players who stayed on, they stayed well clear of relegation problems.

Merthyr Town: Ed Hewitson, Scott Tancock, Kyle Patten, Matthew Harris, Harry Franklin, Corey Jenkins, Jaye Bowen, Jarrad Wright, Kerry Morgan, Ryan Prosser, Owain Jones. Subs: Miles John, Craig Reddy, Adam Davies, Lee Price.

Redditch United: Elliott Ross, Lewis Wright, Tyler Weir, Gowan Stares, Jordan Mills, Jimmy Mutton, Tristian Dunkley, Ashley Sammons, Stuart Fleetwood, Montel Gibson, Adam Page. Subs: Jackman, Belmonte, Fox, Hussain, Ezewele.

Attendance: 477.

The Southern League play-off semi-finals can be confirmed as follows:

Premier Division: King’s Lynn Town v Weymouth, Slough Town v Kettering Town

East Division: Hayes & Yeading United v Cambridge City, Hartley Wintney v AFC Dunstable.

West Division: Wimborne Town v Didcot Town, Evesham United v Swindon Supermarine.

All ties will be played on Wednesday, May 2.

Finals ties will be played on Monday, May 7 (3pm).

Premier Division Final Table

# Team Pl HW HD HL AW AD AL W D L F A Diff Pts
1. Hereford 46 19 1 3 17 4 2 36 5 5 111 33 78 113
2. King’s Lynn Town 46 16 6 1 14 4 5 30 10 6 99 39 60 100
3. Slough Town 46 15 5 3 15 4 4 30 9 7 111 49 62 99
4. Kettering Town 46 19 2 2 11 5 7 30 7 9 122 56 66 97
5. Weymouth 46 16 4 3 14 3 6 30 7 9 103 48 55 97
6. Tiverton Town 46 14 4 5 10 2 11 24 6 16 78 69 9 78
7. Royston Town 46 16 2 5 8 3 12 24 5 17 84 65 19 77
8. Chesham United 46 11 6 6 10 5 8 21 11 14 85 61 24 74
9. Banbury United 46 8 8 7 11 7 5 19 15 12 90 59 31 72
10. Basingstoke Town 46 17 3 3 4 5 14 21 8 17 92 72 20 71
11. Hitchin Town 46 11 5 7 8 4 11 19 9 18 67 66 1 66
12. St Neots Town 46 11 5 7 6 8 9 17 13 16 79 79 0 64
13. Frome Town 46 8 4 11 10 3 10 18 7 21 78 96 -18 61
14. Redditch United 46 11 7 5 4 3 16 15 10 21 73 73 0 55
15. Stratford Town 46 7 6 10 8 4 11 15 10 21 68 81 -13 55
16. Biggleswade Town 46 9 6 8 5 5 13 14 11 21 52 63 -11 53
17. Merthyr Town 46 9 6 8 4 8 11 13 14 19 76 98 -22 53
18. Bishop’s Stortford 46 9 5 9 5 5 13 14 10 22 74 79 -5 52
19. Dorchester Town 46 11 2 10 2 10 11 13 12 21 62 83 -21 51
20. Farnborough 46 9 2 12 6 4 13 15 6 25 82 120 -38 51
21. Kings Langley 46 5 9 9 3 5 15 8 14 24 63 98 -35 38
22. St Ives Town 46 3 5 15 5 4 14 8 9 29 54 105 -51 33
23. Gosport Borough 46 2 4 17 3 1 19 5 5 36 41 142 -101 20
24. Dunstable Town 46 2 2 19 2 3 18 4 5 37 27 137 -110 17

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