Manager Gavin Williams will field a mix of senior and youth players for Merthyr Town in their Southern League match at Tiverton Town this evening (Tuesday, 7.45pm).
The Martyrs earned a valuable draw in a 1-1 draw against Dorchester Town, but won’t be able to field the same team.
Their team played without pay in that game, the second since Merthyr Town’s financial troubles were revealed.
Now Williams takes his team to Tiverton and a number of players are unable to travel because of work commitments.
Merthyr are unable to pay them and, in those circumstances, Williams says it’s unfair to expect players to take time off work and potentially lose more money.
Almost 1,000 spectators were at the Loadlok Community Stadium against Dorchester and the Martyrs are hoping for another big turnout when Biggleswade Town visit Merthyr Tydfil this Saturday (3pm).
“There was a great atmosphere in the stadium,” said Williams, who went on as a second half substitute.
“It’s a great place to play when supporters come in big numbers and the players enjoyed it. Everybody pulled together for our club and that’s the way it has to be.
“It’s clear when the club means to the town and surrounding areas.
“Everybody should take their hat off to the players who turned out for free. I thank them all for that.
“I am not naive enough to think we will have them all for the rest of this season, but players and supporters deserve heartfelt thanks.
“The young lads who played against Chesham away also deserve an awful lot of credit. Those youth boys were not aged 19 or 20, they were around 16-years-old.
“Our aim is to make sure Merthyr Town is in the Southern League Premier again next season.”
Martyn Rogers is Tiverton’s manager, having been in charge of more than 1,000 games during his first spell at Tivvy between 1992 and 2010.
Rogers’ team are sixth and won 2-1 at Dunstable Town last weekend when striker Levi Landricombe scored twice and took his tally to 17 for the season.
“He’s flying,” said Rogers. “He’s close to the top of the scoring charts as well now which is good for him and good for us.
“He’s certainly on fire at the moment.”
“I’m really pleased with the win against Dunstable because it was a game we easily could have lost. Dunstable have improved quite a bit over the past few weeks despite where they are in the league. It was a difficult game.”
The win was Tivvy’s 12th in the league from a possible 20 and they have suffered only one defeat at home.
Merthyr’s remaining fixtures in 2017:
November: Tuesday 28 v Tiverton Town away.
December: Saturday 2 v Biggleswade Town home; Saturday 9 v St Neots Town away; Saturday 16 v Kings Langley away; Tuesday, December 19 v Basingstoke Town home; Saturday 23 v King’s Lynn Town home; Boxing Day, Tuesday 26 v Hereford home (1pm kick-off).
Admission: Adult £10; Concessions £8 (Over 65’s, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders); Merthyr RFC season ticket holders £5; Under 16 £1.
