By Terry Phillips
Merthyr Town can throw down the gauntlet to Southern League leaders Chippenham Town with a win against Redditch United at Penydarren Park on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
The Martyrs, currently fourth in the Premier Division, can slot into second place, one point behind leaders Chippenham Town if they secure three points.
Manager Gavin Williams and his Merthyr team take on Redditch for the first time this season in a game originally scheduled for the New Year Bank Holiday Monday which was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Redditch were Premier Division runners-up last season, losing against fifth-placed Leamington after a penalty shoot-out in the play-off semi-finals.
Former Jamaican international Darren Byfield is the Redditch manager, a 40-year-old who is an ex-Aston Villa striker who made more than 400 Football League appearances during his playing career.
Redditch haven’t won since mid-December, 1-0 at Basingstoke, and have suffered three successive defeats including an 8-1 hammering at Frome Town.
The English midlands team have conceded more goals than any other team outside the bottom seven in the league.
Byfield reacted to the defeat at Frome by releasing midfielder Reece Hales plus forwards Simeon Cobourne and top scorer Danico Johnson from his squad.
He signed former Reds centre-back and local lad Jim Mutton back to the Valley after a spell at Hednesford Town and plus winger Charlie Morris from Solihull Moors.
“It was horrible watching us capitulate (v Frome),” said Byfield. “To concede four times from corners in one match is simply unacceptable.
“There were no leaders on the pitch at all. The football we played was far too tippy-tappy and was getting us nowhere.
“It’s annoying. The result and performance has upset our fans and we owe them big style now.”
Byfield has made four appearances for Redditch, who also have 39-year-old former England midfielder Lee Hendrie in their squad. He has, though, only featured in one game so far.
The Reds have recently strengthened their squad with the signing of 20-year-old Cardiff City youth goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly on a temporary basis plus midfielder Charlie Morris on loan from Solihull Moors.
Along with Slough, Redditch are one of the other two teams in the Premier Division who play on a 3G pitch.
Player-manager Gavin Williams is added to the squad who won 1-0 against Banbury United to extend their unbeaten home record this season.
Kayne McLaggon fired Merthyr’s winner in arguably their best Southern League win so far this season.
