Martyrs Turn On Southern Style, But Miss Out in Herts

Merthyr Town returned to South Wales from Hertfordshire feeling hard done by after a 1-0 defeat. And, boy, did they have a valid point!

The Martyrs had 70 per cent of the possession, two big penalty appeals and defended with a style that frustrated hosts Kings Langley FC.

The home team are top of the EvoStik Southern League form guide, having taken 42 points from their last 20 fixtures, and are right in the hunt for promotion.

But they were second best to a Merthyr team who played good football, created chances and simply weren’t ruthless enough in front of goal.

Manager Gavin Williams’ team were incensed when a Lee Lucas effort appeared to cross the line and that would have been the equaliser, but referee Neil Morrison ruled that effort out.

GOAL:

Relive Mitchell Weiss' goal against @MerthyrTownFC to give @KLFCofficial all 3 points pic.twitter.com/wBQiUdXzF3

— KINGS LANGLEY UPDATES + VIDEO (@KLFC_LIVE) March 2, 2019

Lucas was booked when he protested at the decision.

The Martyrs now have two successive home matches at the MetCoaches Community Stadium, next Saturday and the following Tuesday, with Harrow Borough and Dorchester Town the visitors.

They have a team capable of competing with the best and a strong run over the remaining 11 matches could yet earn a place in the play-offs.

Kings Langley managed only three shots on target in the 90 minutes – and one of those was from long range – and Merthyr had a number of opportunities.

To be fair, though, Langley scored an outstanding goal to win the game, a sweet finish by Mitch Weiss after a flowing move just before the hour.

Andronicos Georgiou started the attack with a turn which threw Merthyr’s defence off balance before he laid the ball off to Dean Hitchcock. He played a pinpoint pass through to Weiss, who finished with a low shot across goalkeeper Webb and into the far corner.

Full time.
Kings Langley FC 1-0 Merthyr Town. @KLFCofficial pic.twitter.com/2lZKx7Bdwi

— Ben Fullylove (@BenFullylove) March 2, 2019

Merthyr are ninth in the Premier Division and have games in hand on some clubs ahead of them.

They need a run of wins, but are still in with a chance of making the play-offs and manager Williams was able to field a quality team with a strong bench at Kings Langley.

Former Cardiff City youth player Jamie Veale went close after three minutes when his shot was deflected. Ben Swallow was quick to take possession, but his effort flew into the side netting.

Centre-forward Ryan Prosser flicked an Owain Jones pass over the bar, while Matthew Harris headed just wide from a Veale corner.

Just before half-time Veale’s shot from 10 yards was blocked, while Jones headed Swallow’s cross just wide from eight yards just after half-time.

Former Newport County striker Rene Howe was named Kings Langley man of the match against Merthyr Town. The ‘Heatfix’ sponsored award was presented by Glenn Dundon.

Langley’s goal on 58 minutes was, in fairness, a beauty, but Merthyr still had their chances.

Substitute Ian Traylor shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area, while Lucas was adamant his shot on 72 minutes had crossed the line.

With both teams on the fringe of the play-offs it was always going to be a close encounter and one moment of magic from Weiss separated the teams.

Langley included former Newport County striker Rene Howe, while goalkeeper Alex Tokarczyk passed a late fitness test. Young deputy Ryan Schmid had been preparing for his debut.

Merthyr had the better of the exchanges on a heavy pitch, but they went down to a goal of high quality.

There were eight minutes injury time, but Langley held on for the win and Merthyr now need a strong run over their remaining 11 fixtures.

Kings Langley FC: Alex Tokarczyk, Junior Osborne, Charley O’Keefe, Jorell Johnson (capt), Callum Adebiyi, Dean Hitchcock, Stevie Ward, Jacob Cook, Rene Howe, Mitchell Weiss, Andronicos Georgiou, Subs: Gary Connoly, Ryan Schmid (gk), Lewis Putman, Louie Collier, Josh Coldicott-Stevens.

Merthyr Town: Lewis Webb, Adam Davies, Jarrad Wright, Matthew Harris, Kieran Lewis (Kerry Morgan), Jamie Veale (Tom Meechan), Ashley Evans, Lee Lucas, Ben Swallow, Ryan Prosser, Owain Jones (Ian Traylor). Subs: Jay Foulston, Craig Reddy.

Referee: Neil Morrison.

@MerthyrTownFC frustrating day yesterday. 70%possession , 2 BIG penalty shouts and Webby only having 2 make 1 save from long range!! Need 2 be more ruthless but also need abit of luck. The boys WILL keep pushing

— Dean Clarke (@clarkeey08) March 3, 2019

Merthyr Town have 11 League fixtures left, six of those at home.

Updated: Remaining Merthyr Town FC fixtures

March

Saturday 9 v Harrow Borough H

Tuesday 12 v Dorchester Town H

Saturday 16 v Poole Town A

Tuesday 19 v Beaconsfield Town A

Saturday 23 v Staines Town H

Saturday 30 v Metropolitan Police A

April 

Saturday 6 Hartley Wintney H

Saturday 13 v Gosport Borough A

Saturday 20 v Farnborough H

Monday 22 v Taunton Town A

Saturday 27 v Walton Casuals H

	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	-Pts	Pts
	Taunton Town	33	20	6	7	74	43	31	–	66
	Weymouth	32	19	8	5	75	47	28	–	65
	Salisbury	32	18	9	5	77	50	27	–	63
	Metropolitan Police	31	16	10	5	73	49	24	–	58
	Poole Town	33	15	9	9	65	45	20	–	54
	Harrow Borough	33	15	7	11	78	65	13	–	52
	Kings Langley	31	15	6	10	52	50	2	–	51
	Swindon Supermarine	33	12	9	12	59	50	9	–	45
	Merthyr Town	31	13	6	12	48	46	2	–	45
	Farnborough	32	13	6	13	55	57	-2	–	45
	Wimborne Town	33	13	5	15	65	63	2	–	44
	Hartley Wintney	32	11	10	11	65	60	5	–	43
	Chesham United	32	11	10	11	34	48	-14	–	43
	Hendon	33	11	8	14	52	59	-7	–	41
	Beaconsfield Town	31	10	10	11	51	51	0	–	40
	Walton Casuals	33	11	7	15	55	64	-9	–	40
	Tiverton Town	32	10	9	13	52	56	-4	–	39
	Gosport Borough	33	12	3	18	50	59	-9	–	39
	Basingstoke Town	33	11	5	17	61	63	-2	–	38
	Dorchester Town	32	10	8	14	42	58	-16	–	38
	Frome Town	32	9	3	20	37	57	-20	–	30
	Staines Town	33	3	–	30	35	115	-80	–	9