Merthyr Town 1, Banbury United 0
Former Cardiff City captain Mike Ford believes Merthyr Town are the best team in Southern League Premier Division football.
Ford, Banbury United’s manager, was full of praise for the Martyrs after a fiercely contested clash at Penydarren Park.
“Merthyr are the best team in our division, on doubt in my mind,” said Ford. “Whether they win the title or not I can’t say, but they are a quality team and in my view the best at our level.”
The Martyrs are fourth in the table, still unbeaten at home this season and now focus on their clash with Redditch United, again at Penydarren, on Tuesday (7.45pm).
More than 500 spectators, including a large group from Banbury, cheered their teams on during an entertaining match.
Ford’s Banbury arrived in Merthyr boasting an unbeaten run stretching back nine matches, but they went down thanks to a winner by Kayne McLaggon.
The Welshman, from Barry, is a former Championship forward, having played and scored for Southampton,
McLaggon’s winner came after 74 minutes when he battled for possession on the edge of the penalty area before firing across goal and into the far corner.
Merthyr Town were on top for most of the match, but they had reason to thank goalkeeper Oliver Davies after 88 minutes.
The visitors were awarded a penalty when Luke Carnell was brought down and substitute James Smith stepped up to take the spot-kick, firing low and hard towards the corner. Davies threw himself to make a magnificent save and ensure he kept clean sheet.
Merthyr had the chances to have scored more goals and Keyon Refell went close with a shot from 20 yards after 23 minutes, while Banbury goalkeeper Jack Harding produced a magnificent save to deny Ryan Prosser.
Harding had to react quickly again after 48 minutes when he went full length to tip away an Ian Traylor shot, while McLaggon’s glancing near post header from Traylor’s cross after 65 minutes was only just wide.
Merthyr Town: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Scott Barrow, Ashley Evans, Curtis McDonald, Scott Tancock, Ryan Prosser (Kyle Copp 79), Eliot Richards (Corey Jenkins 62), Kayne McLaggon (Ben Watkins 79), Keyon Reffell, Ian Traylor. Subs not used: Gavin Williams, Kyle Patten.
