Owain Jones scored a last gasp equaliser for Merthyr Town in their 3-3 draw against Banbury United in Oxfordshire.
More than 500 spectators were at the Community Stadium for a match played with spirit and freedom.
The Martyrs went ahead from a first half penalty converted by Ian Traylor, while Banbury twice took the lead before Corey Jenkins and Jones earned the visitors a draw.
Former Cardiff City captain Mike Ford is in charge of the Banbury team and he was bitterly disappointed his team failed to earn all three points.
“I’m not sure we did enough to win, but when you score three goals in front of 500 spectators then you should find ways to see it through,” said Ford.
Leam Howards opening back-heel goal yesterday and arms folded celebration pic.twitter.com/c680HJLPtR
— Banbury United FC (@BanburyUnitedFC) April 22, 2018
“We were a goal down to what was a clumsy penalty at half-time, scored three times in the second half and let it slip.”
Traylor’s first half penalty, scored in the 39th minute after Jones was fouled, gave Merthyr a half-time lead before substitute Leam Howards hit back with two goals for Banbury.
Howards equalised after 50 minutes and fired United ahead with 21 minutes left after goalkeeper Ed Lewiston saved the initial shot but the ball ran loose.
Corey Jenkins hit back to make it 2-2 (73 mins), Elliot Sandy netted Banbury’s third goal two minutes later and then Jones struck to earn a point for the Martyrs.
Penalty incident from yesterday's game – Banbury United v Merthyr Town pic.twitter.com/ScMeTTmlmc
— Banbury United FC (@BanburyUnitedFC) April 22, 2018
Banbury United: Jack Harding, Jordy Ngathe, Tom Bradbury, George Nash, Charlie Wise, Luke Carnell, Jack Self, Jack Finch, Elliot Sandy, Sam Humphreys, Anthony Wright. Subs: Paul Stonehouse, Amer Awadh, Tom Winters, Leam Howards, Ricky Johnson.
Merthyr Town: Ed Hewitson, Harry Franklin, Scott Tancock, Ashley Evans, Matthew Harris, Kyle Patten (Craig Reddy), Corey Jenkins, Jarrad Wright, Owain Jones, Kerry Morgan (Lee Price), Ian Traylor. Subs: Miles John, Jaye Bowen, Ashley Thomas.
http://https://youtu.be/QMM9DihSFKg
Hereford FC have won the Premier League title and will be promoted to National League football next season. Their team includes former Merthyr players Keyon Reffell, Ryan Green, Elliot Richards and Cameron Pring, while ex-Martyrs manager Steve Jenkins is assistant to Peter Beadle.
Taunton Town have won Southern League West and will return to the Premier Division for 2018-19.
Merthyr Town’s two remaining fixtures 2017-18
April
Tues 24 v Bishops Stortford A
Sat 28 v Redditch United H
Premier Table
| # | Team | Pl | HW | HD | HL | AW | AD | AL | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Pts |
| 1. | Hereford | 44 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 34 | 5 | 5 | 106 | 33 | 73 | 107 |
| 2. | King’s Lynn Town | 45 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 10 | 6 | 96 | 38 | 58 | 97 |
| 3. | Kettering Town | 44 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 29 | 7 | 8 | 114 | 51 | 63 | 94 |
| 4. | Weymouth | 45 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 29 | 7 | 9 | 100 | 48 | 52 | 94 |
| 5. | Slough Town | 44 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 28 | 9 | 7 | 105 | 48 | 57 | 93 |
| 6. | Royston Town | 44 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 5 | 15 | 83 | 59 | 24 | 77 |
| 7. | Tiverton Town | 44 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 23 | 5 | 16 | 75 | 67 | 8 | 74 |
| 8. | Chesham United | 44 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 13 | 82 | 58 | 24 | 71 |
| 9. | Banbury United | 44 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 88 | 59 | 29 | 68 |
| 10. | Basingstoke Town | 44 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 20 | 7 | 17 | 86 | 67 | 19 | 67 |
| 11. | Hitchin Town | 43 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 8 | 16 | 67 | 60 | 7 | 65 |
| 12. | St Neots Town | 45 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 79 | 75 | 4 | 64 |
| 13. | Frome Town | 44 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 20 | 75 | 94 | -19 | 58 |
| 14. | Redditch United | 45 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 21 | 71 | 71 | 0 | 54 |
| 15. | Stratford Town | 45 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 21 | 67 | 80 | -13 | 54 |
| 16. | Biggleswade Town | 44 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 20 | 51 | 60 | -9 | 52 |
| 17. | Merthyr Town | 44 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 74 | 92 | -18 | 52 |
| 18. | Farnborough | 45 | 9 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 15 | 6 | 24 | 80 | 114 | -34 | 51 |
| 19. | Dorchester Town | 44 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 61 | 82 | -21 | 49 |
| 20. | Bishop’s Stortford | 44 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 69 | 78 | -9 | 48 |
| 21. | Kings Langley | 45 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 23 | 60 | 94 | -34 | 38 |
| 22. | St Ives Town | 43 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 27 | 52 | 99 | -47 | 32 |
| 23. | Gosport Borough | 44 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 35 | 142 | -107 | 14 |
| 24. | Dunstable Town | 43 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 25 | 132 | -107 | 14 |
