Winchester City shoved the Martyrs out of FA Cup football for 2018-19 and then found themselves stranded in Merthyr Tydfil.
When the triumphant Citizens prepared to leave the MetCoaches Stadium after a 4-1 second qualifying round victory they discovered the team coach had broken down.
It took four hours to find a replacement bus and the Winchester team finally arrived back in Hampshire well after midnight.
Former Queens Park Rangers trainee Tyrrell Mitford who played a key role for Winchester, firing a hat-trick to leave Merthyr down and out.
Mitford went on to study for a coaching and sport development degree at Southampton Solent University, playing for Team Solent and Alresford before joining Winchester.
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“It was a brilliant day and probably ranks with any performance I’ve seen from a Winchester City side over the years,” said Winchester director of football Dave Malone.
“We had a patched-up side with loads of players missing and thoroughly deserved to win.
“Our bench looked like a youth club. Merthyr played football as they do on their plastic pitch, but we matched them slug for slug, took our chances and defended heroically.”
Merthyr Town play a tier above Winchester in the English football pyramid and started strongly with Adam Davies firing in for the home team. That effort was disallowed because of offside and the Martyrs quickly found themselves 2-0 down.
Jamie Barron opened the scoring with a thumping 20-yard shot before Mitford lobbed goalkeeper Joe Perry, who was returning from injury, just before the break.
The second half had barely started when Mitford robbed defender Kyle Patten to put the Citizens 3-0 up.
Brett Cunningham hit the Merthyr bar before substitute Lee Lucas gave the hosts hope with a speculative cross-shot on the hour.
Mitford, though, had the last word, and completed his hat-trick after 73 minutes.
“Tyrell’s finishing is exemplary,” said Malone. “His all-round game still has room for improvement, but he’s as good as anyone I’ve seen taking one-on-ones and half chances.”
Player-manager Craig Davis was delighted with his team, saying: “Our group of players and staff are working their socks off for this club and have done everything I have ever asked them to do.
“The travelling fans were absolutely unbelievable, the players phenomenal and you all deserve every bit of praise you get.
“I am proud of everything we did as a club, even as far as the conduct of the whole group in the face of the farcical coach breakdown situation.
“A big thanks to Merthyr Town for their warm welcome while we waited four hours for the coach to be repaired.”
Merthyr’s exit from the Emirates FA Cup means they have to settle for £6,000 prize money, while Winchester collect at least £9,000 after going into the next round.
Merthyr Town: Joe Perry, Joe Hunt, Jarrad Wright, Kyle Patten, Adam Davies, Kieran Lewis, Ashley Evans, Kerry Morgan, Corey Jenkins, Owain Jones, Ian Traylor. Subs: Connor Young, Webb, McDonnell Lee Lucas, Williams Harris, Tom Meechan
Winchester City: Ryan Price, Joe Hayward, Danny King, Brad Gale, Connor Cocklin, Josh Harfield, Reece, Rusher, Jamie Barron (capt), Tyrell Mitford, Joe Cook, Brett Cunningham. Subs: Sam Roberts, Josh Tombs, Josh Corner, Craig Davis, Mark Fawley.
Merthyr Town’s early results and fixtures 2018-19 (Southern League Premier unless stated)
August
Saturday 11 v Chesham United (away) Merthyr won 3-0
Tuesday 14 v Swindon Supermarine (home) 2-2
Saturday 18 v Gosport Borough (away) Merthyr won 4-2
Saturday 25 v Farnborough (away) won 1-0
Monday 27 Frome Town (home) lost 1-3
September
Saturday 1 v Walton Casuals (away) won 3-1
Saturday 8 Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round: Melksham Town 1, Merthyr Town 4
Saturday 15 Metropolitan Police 2-2
Saturday 22: Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round: Merthyr Town 1, Winchester City 4
Saturday 29 Hartley Wintney (away)
