Manager Gavin Williams has decided to take Merthyr Town’s development team to Shortwood United in the BigFreeBet.com Challenge Cup on Tuesday..
The Martyrs have a massive Southern League match against leaders Kettering Town away on Saturday and Williams’ squad has been hit by a suspension, an international call up and niggling injury worries.
Striker Stuart Fleetwood starts a three-match suspension, while Mo Touray has been selected for the Wales under-19 squad. They play in two international friendlies against Switzerland in North Wales this week.
Williams’ decision will allow players suffering from minor injuries to recover over the week, while Touray should be available for the trip to Kettering.
Fleetwood will also miss the Kettering (away) and Slough Town (home) fixtures.
The Southern League Cup competition has a new sponsor having been Red Insure Cup when Merthyr won the competition in 2015-16 season.
It was always the intention of Williams to play a mixed team and give younger players experience, but concerns over injuries and player availability have meant the entire squad will now be the club’s team who play in the Welsh Premier Development League.
Matches against hosts Shortwood were a regular fixture during our South and West Division League days.
Shortwood are in a comfortable position in the league, having picked up 11 points from eight matches and will be a good test for the young Martyrs.
The match starts at 7.45pm on Tuesday at Shortwood’s Meadowbank ground. If the match is level after 90 minutes the game will go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
BigFreeBet.com Southern League Cup
First round fixtures:
Monday, October 2: Beaconsfield Town v Slough Town, Cambridge City v St Ives Town, Dorchester Town v Salisbury, Hitchin Town v
Bishop’s Stortford.
Tuesday, October 3: Paulton Rovers v Frome Town, Chesham United v Aylesbury, Cinderford Town v Slimbridge, Cirencester Town v Larkhall Athletic, Didcot Town v Banbury United, Fleet Town v Basingstoke Town, Gosport Borough v Moneyfields, Hanwell Town v Uxbridge, Hayes & Yeading United, Ashford Town (Middlesex), Marlow v Aylesbury United, Redditch United v Bishops Cleeve, Shortwood United v Merthyr Town, Thame United v Kings Langley, Weymouth v Wimborne Town, Winchester City v AFC Totton, Yate Town v Bristol Manor Farm, AFC Dunstable v Dunstable Town, Arlesey Town v Biggleswade Town, Barnstaple Town v Tiverton Town, Barton Rovers v Royston Town, Bedford Town v Kettering Town, Bideford v Taunton Town, AFC Rushden & Diamonds v St Neots Town, Chalfont St Peter v Egham Town.
Wednesday, October 4: Evesham United v Stratford Town, postponed; Farnborough v Hartley Wintney, Kidlington v Swindon Supermarine.
