Merthyr Town must guard against complacency when they play Southern League strugglers Cinderford Town at Penydarren Park on Boxing Day (1pm kick-off).
Fourth-placed Martyrs can climb one or two places with a win against the Premier League’s bottom club.
Player-manager Gavin Williams and his Merthyr team are unbeaten at Penydarren Park, having earned 28 points from a possible 36 so far, while Forest of Dean outfit Cinderford have yet to win away.
In 13 away fixtures they made lost 12 and earned one point from a lone draw. Merthyr’s goal difference is plus 27, while Cinderford are on minus 35.
At first glance this looks a comfortable victory for Merthyr, but Williams will stress the need for his players to produce be at their best.
They will move above Slough, who don’t have a game on Boxing Day, with a win against Cinderford.
The Boxing Day clash is Merthyr Town’s final fixture of 2016. They then focus on a home match against Redditch on Monday, January 2 (3pm).
Former Merthyr defender James Bloom played for the visitors at centre-back. He began his playing career with Cardiff City, while the 25-year-old has also played for Falkirk and Alloa Athletic.
The Forest of Dean club’s manager is Monmouth schoolteacher Paul Michael, who was manager of Welsh League Risca United before taking charge of Cinderford’s team.
They are bottom of the Premier Division and their team is a pale shadow of the side who won Division One South and West last season,
While Martyrs prepare for their Boxing Day test, defender Rhys Baggridge has left the club to join Chippenham Town.
Neath-born Baggridge joined Merthyr during the summer of 2015 and made his last appearance in the 1-0 defeat against Cambridge
Manager Williams said “Rhys wants to play and with the squad here I could not guarantee him the playing time he wanted.
“It is always disappointing when you lose players, but you can understand when players want to move on to play, and everyone at the club would like to thank Rhys for his service.”
