Merthyr Town 2, Yate Town 1
Merthyr Town head into 2020 on the back of a hard-fought home win at the MetCoaches Stadium.
Winger Corey Jenkins (3 mins) and Ian Traylor (15) put the Martyrs in a commanding position against Yate Town and they held on for an invaluable victory.
It has been a tough year financially for player-manager Gavin Williams and his team, but they have more than held their own over the first half of this season.
They had Adam Davies sent off during the second half, but the spirit and character in Williams’ team is such that they battled to earn all three points.
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“The sending off made it a bit nervy near the end, but we took the points,” said Martyrs’ player Keiran Lewis.
“We started the game and when that happens we can push anybody.
“Now we play Swindon Supermarine away on New Year’s Day and that’s a tough fixture, but if we work hard and work together we can do well.”
Defender Ismail Yakubu reflected on the win against Yate, saying: “They play decent football and we had to be selective where we pressed and where we kept our numbers.
“It was decided to keep our numbers down the middle where they Yate are most dangerous and that worked well.”
Williams and his players go to Wiltshire club Swindon Supermarine on New Year’s Day before entertaining London club Harrow Borough on Saturday, January 4.
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In a sizzling start to the Boxing Day clash in front of more than 500 spectators the Martyrs scored twice, while home goalkeeper Alex Harris made a magnificent save to deny Yate.
Jenkins fired Merthyr ahead after three minutes after former Cardiff City youth centre-forward Gethyn Hill picked him out at the far post. Jenkins stayed calm and finished clinically.
Harris then produced a big save to ensure Merthyr stayed in front, while Traylor made it 2-0 after 15 minutes. He showed great composure in turning his defender before firing low and hard into the bottom corner.
Traylor the prolific goalscorer became playmaker after 37 minutes when he set up Davies, whose cross was fired home by Hill. The effort was ruled out for offside.
Merthyr Town worked a short free-kick move which opened the way for Owain Jones, but his shoot was cleared off the line after 53 minutes.
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Yate Town were hanging on at that stage, but they pulled a goal back just before the hour mark. Sam Bell, signed on loan from Bristol City, scored a few minutes after going on for his debut.
At that stage things looked a little nervy for Merthyr, but they attacked again and Davies drove forwards with power and pace before firing just wide.
The Martyrs were rocked when Davies was sent off on a straight red card after a last man tackle, but Merthyr almost scored a third when a quickly taken corner sent Traylor free. He was one-on-one with the ‘keeper, but his shot flew just wide.
Merthyr Town: Alex Harris, Dan Summerfield, Adam Davies, Ismail Yakubu, Jarrad Wright, Keiran Lewis, Ashley Evans (captain), Owain Jones (Ben Swallow 67), Corey Jenkins (Lee Lucas 61), Gethyn Hill (Ryan Prosser 75), Ian Traylor, Subs: Gavin Williams.
Attendance: 519.
