Merthyr Town started the new year in winning style thanks to goals ace Ian Traylor.
They have enjoyed a successful time of late after coming to grips with the financial crisis which has gripped the club.
A tax bill which was threatening the future of the Martyrs has been paid, while Traylor’s double earned a first win since mid-November.
Manager Gavin Williams has stabilised the club in the face of huge problems and Merthyr have lost only once in their last four Southern League Premier Division matches.
A key factor in their season is that only one club will be relegated from the Premier and Williams’ men are 26 points ahead of bottom club Gosport Borough and 24 in front of Dunstable Town.
That gap ahead of Dunstable could increase this Saturday when the Bedfordshire club visit Merthyr’s Loadlok Community Stadium (January 6, 3pm).
Dunstable signed former Manchester United and Northern Ireland player George Best and ex-West Brom centre-forward Jeff Astle in 1973-74.
Both were attracted to Dunstable by manager Barry Fry and chairman Keith Cheeseman, who offered big money to attract star players.
Best played in two friendly matches, one of them against Manchester United reserves, while Astle scored 34 goals when Dunstable finished runners-up in Southern League Division One South and were promoted.
Merthyr warmed up for their home clash with Dunstable by winning 2-1 at Frome Town.
The Wiltshire-based home team opened the scoring after 36 minutes when Joe Raynes charged down a Merthyr shot and fed the ball to Davies, who set off on a run from inside his own half which took him past three defenders.
Davies appeared to lose control and Martyrs’ goalkeeper Oliver Davies had the chance to clear, but he sliced his kick and the Frome man was able to scored from 15 yards.
The leadership of Williams has given hope and new pride to the Martyr players and they emerge winners thanks to goals from Traylor after 65 and 79 minutes.
He equalised when a pass out to the left was pulled inside and he fire home with goalkeeper Kyle Phillips out of position.
Then, with 11 minutes left, Traylor chased through and lobbed of stranded goalkeeper Phillips to make it 2-1.
Frome captain Sam Teale and Merthyr midfield player Craig Reddy were both sent off on straight red cards after a wrestling match, but the Martyrs completed a creditable 2-1 away win.
Frome Town: Kyle Phillips, Ben Griffiths, Ben Withey, Connor Roberts, Sam Teale (capt), Chas Hemmings (George Miller 67), Jon Davies, Joe Raynes, Ryan Bath, Darren Jefferies, Ollie Knight. Subs not used: Karl Crabtree (gk), Ben Cleverley, Josh Jeffries, Harry Barnes.
Merthyr Town: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Miles John, Ashley Evans (capt), Lewis Harrison, Matthew Harris, Kerry Morgan, Craig Reddy, Ryan Prosser, Harry Franklin, Ian Traylor. Subs: Liam Martin, Cameron Clarke, Gavin Williams, Scott Tancock, Jacob Flower.
Attendance: 367.
