Merthyr Town 2, Cinderford Town 0
Merthyr Town extended their unbeaten run to four matches and eased into third place in the EvoStik Southern League Premier Division.
Ian Traylor scored both goals, but player-manager Gavin Williams was far from happy at the way his Martyrs faded during the second half.
“We played some good football in the first half and should have gone in at half-time four or five goals up,” said Williams. “After half-time, though, we stepped off it a bit. We were poor.
“We’ve earned three points, kept a clean sheet and maybe should have won far more comfortably than we did. I am, though, a little disappointed with that second half.”
Merthyr have scored 12 goals in their four-game run, earning 10 points from a possible 12, while goalkeeper Oliver Davies, 21, has kept three clean sheets.
They now turn to their next match, also at Penydarren Park, when promotion rivals Redditch are visitors to the ground on Monday, January 2 (3pm).
Forest of Dean club Cinderford won the South and South West title last season, but are currently bottom of the table and manager Paul Michael has been working hard to rebuild the team.
They arrived at Penydarren Park with plenty of local knowledge. Goalkeeper Cameron Clarke, Shane Parry, James Bloom and Jaye Bowen are all former Martyrs players who emerged through the Cardiff City Academy.
Merthyr were without ex-Bluebirds player Curtis McDonald, who was suspended, with Jarrad Wright and Scott Hancock operating together at the heart of defence.
They went ahead ahead after 10 minutes when the impressive Keyon Refell whipped in a cross and Traylor, one of the smallest players on the pitch, timed his run perfectly to flick a header into the net.
Taylor almost added a second following a strong run by Kayne McLaggon. When he was blocked off 10 yards out the ball flew to Traylor, who smashed in a volley.
It looked a certain goal, but keeper Clarke produced a magnificent reflex save.
With 27 minutes gone Traylor did make it 2-0, taking his tally for the season to 16, after a Scott Barrow crossed and tucked his shot into goal at the far post.
Merthyr were dominant and a big win looked possible, but they faded badly and gave Cinderford hope where their should have been none.
Former Carmarthen Town and Risca striker Matthew Thomas was denied by goalkeeper Davies, who went full length to palm shot away, and Cinderford also hit the bar with a long range effort.
There was on further drama for Merthyr, though, and they eased to a deserved win, but manager Williams and his players will get together and analyse why they were so smooth and effective in the first half and then lost their way badly.
Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies, S Barrow, A Evans (capt), J Wright, S Tancock, K Reffell, E Richards (G Williams 66), K McLaggon, R Prosser (C Jenkins 58), I Traylor. Subs not used: G Jones, G Garner (gk), B Watkins.
Cinderford Town: C Clarke, S Parry, J Bloom, J Nelmes (capt), D Clare, L Ellis, C Mconie (B Hands 73), J Alderdice, M Thomas, S Hicks, J Bowen (K Chambers 53). Subs not used: H Turner, P Michael, B Guest.
Referee: Simon Shaw (Bristol)