Merthyr Town 2, Royston Town 1
Captain Ashley Evans scored twice for Merthyr Town in their Southern League home win against Premier Division new boys Royston Town.
The Martyrs now entertain Tiverton Town at the Loadlok Community Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm).
Manager Gavin Williams set up his team in a 3-5-2 formation and created several good chances, but Ian Traylor and Stuart Fleetwood were unable to convert.
Traylor could have had a first half hat-trick with his best chance on 23 minutes when he dragged a shot wide from eight yards after Fleetwood pulled the ball back from the bye-line.
The visitors went close themselves when Josh Oyinsan headed just wide from a long Lee Chappell cross with goalkeeper Oliver Davies stranded.
Royston took the lead on 31 minutes when the dangerous Scott Bridges poked home a long throw from Ryan Ingrey, which had been headed on at the near post.
The Martyrs equalised seven minutes later when Evans jumped well under pressure and headed home from six yards.
The second half was more of the same with the Martyrs continuing to miss chances.
After 53 minutes Cameron Pring beat two defenders and his left foot shot hit outside of a post, while Jaye Bowen released Stuart Fleetwood. His shot was saved by keeper Joe Welch, one of a number of saves he made.
Just after the hour Royston were awarded a penalty when Kyle Patten was penalised for a challenge on Bridges, who picked himself up to take the spot-kick. His low shot was saved by goalkeeper Davies.
Merthyr made a triple substitution on 72 minutes with Kerry Morgan, Mo Touray and Corey Jenkins replacing Scott Tancock, Bowen and Fleetwood as his team switched to a four-man defensive unit.
The changes paid off and Touray went close, poking a Corey Jenkins shot wide, before Evans ran hit a low, right foot shot into the net after 84 minutes.
The Martyrs were rarely troubled for the rest of the game and collected all three points.
Merthyr Town: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Cameron Pring, Ashley Evans (capt), Jarrad Wright, Scott Tancock (Kerry Morgan 72), Jaye Bowen (Corey Jenkins 72), Kyle Patten, Stuart Fleetwood (Mo Touray 72), Eliot Richards and Ian Traylor. Subs not used: Curtis McDonald and Robbie Patten.
Admission prices at the Loadlok Community Stadium for Tuesday’s Southern League home match v Tiverton: Adult £10, Concessions £8 (Over-65, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders), Merthyr RFC season ticket holders £5, under-16 £1.
