Merthyr Town 5, Cambridge City 0
Josh Bull made a quick impact on his Merthyr Town debut, scoring and providing an assist within eight minutes of going on.
The Martyrs were a goal in front, but struggling to produce anything like their best form when manager Gavin Williams sent on Bull and Ryan Prosser.
Bull found space inside the penalty area and when goalkeeper Dean Sneaker tried to close him down the striker slid a neat pass inside for Prosser to fire into an empty net and take his Martyrs’ goals tally to the 150 mark.
The goals ace signed from Cwmbran Celtic in midweek showed composure and awareness when he set up Prosser and then he demonstrated how clinical he can be in front of goal.
When Bull found space again he picked his spot and left Snedker helpless with a low shot into the corner.
The decision to send on Bull and Prosser had been an inspirational decision by Williams and his Merthyr team showed they can win without playing well.
Ian Traylor completed the scoring with two goals, one from a penalty, and completed a five-goal haul which had been started by Scott Hancock. His free-kick from 30 yards, struck with a minimal backswing, was too fierce for Snedker, who could only divert the effort high into his own net on 44 minutes.
Prosser (64), Bull (69) and Traylor (76+90) added their goals and the Martyrs had earned a crucial and crushing victory.
The news that Banbury United, battling with Merthyr for the final play-off spot, had suffered a 2-0 defeat at Stratford Town added to the satisfaction if beating Cambridge.
Merthyr were without suspended Keyon Reffell and injured Kayne McLaggon, while Jarrad Wright was unavailable this weekend.
The loss of Curtis McDonald with a groin strain after 22 minutes forced a change with substitute Kyle Patten joining Scott Hancock at centre-half.
Merthyr have five League matches left and they are three points ahead of Banbury in fifth place with a better goal difference.
Their next match is at fifth from bottom King’s Langley next Saturday.
Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies S Barrow, A Evans (capt), C McDonald (K Patten 22), S Tancock, C Jenkins, J Compton (Prosser 61), E Richards, K Copp (J Bull 61), I Traylor. Sub not used: J Bowen.
Referee: Simon Wales (Cheltenham).
