Merthyr Town powered to a sensational 5-1 home win against Tiverton Town despite having goalkeeper Joe Perry sent off inside the first 10 minutes, having been penalised for deliberate handball outside the penalty area.
The score was 0-0 at the time and Merthyr did not have a back-up goalie with Joe Hunt taking the gloves.
It looked a difficult situation for the Martyrs, but they powered to victory tanks to goals from Ian Traylor (3), Lee Lucas and Ryan Prosser at the MetCoaches Stadium.
Merthyr dominated the match despite having their goalkeeper sent off and swept to victory against a Tivvy team who had been above them in the table.
Prosser swept home the first goal after 25 minutes from a Kieron Lewis free-kick and Lee Lucas smashed home a fierce shot from 25 yards a few minutes later.
Traylor, ‘Traylz’ to his mates, scored his first goal came after 44 minutes when he fired as low shot into the net from 12 yards, and then added a personal second just before the hour,
His shot flew into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area and he completed a hat-trick from a 75th minute free-kick.
Merthyr Town: Joe Perry, Adam Davies, Joe Hunt, Ashley Evans (capt), Kyle Patten, Craig McDonnell, Owain Jones, Lee Lucas, Ryan Prosser, Kieran Lewis, Ian Traylor. Subs: Cavan Williams, Matthew Harris, Gavin Williams, Connor Young, Kerry Morgan.
Tiverton Town: Liam Armstrong, Josh Key, Callum Hall, Jamie Price (capt), Michael Landricombe, Harrison Davis, Josh Wadham, Max Smallcombe, Cameron Allen, Levi Landricombe, Jordan Rogers. Subs: Ben Mammola, Tom Gardner, Tom Bath, Scott Rogers, George Rogers.
Merthyr Town’s remaining fixtures in 2018
November
Saturday 24 v Wimborne Town (home)
Original scheduled fixture v Weymouth was postponed
December
Saturday 1 v Hendon (away)
Saturday 8 v Kings Langley (home)
Tuesday 11 v Poole Town (home)
Saturday 15 v Harrow Borough (away)
Saturday 22 v Chesham United (home)
Wednesday 26 v Frome Town (away)
Saturday 29 v Swindon Supermarine (away)