Saturday, March 30. Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
Tiverton Town v Merthyr Town
The Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm
WHEN these two sides faced each other in Wales in mid-August, despite a determined backs-to-the-wall display, we could not hold on to an early Jack Rice goal and were gradually reeled in by the Martyrs.
Noah Smerdon, the former Yellow, cancelled out Rice's effort and Ricardo Rees breached our rearguard with little left on the clock to give the hosts all three points.
Rees has excelled at Merthyr since his reunion with ex-Yate boss Paul Michael in a team that has cemented themselves as promotion contenders via the play-offs. Although a resurgent Hungerford have just overtaken them to leave them in sixth place, just outside of the play-off places, with a few games in hand on the Crusaders, they will be determined to move back into the last play-off spot.
The former Bristol City academy forward Rees has been full of goals and is a lively performer with good technique. His 28 league goals from 35 games make him the second-highest goalscorer in the division. Only Chesham’s own Ricardo – German, that is - has more, with 30.
The aforementioned Smerdon is not the only ex-Yellow in the Martyrs’ ranks. The attacking full-back is joined by forward Olly Mehew, who briefly played for Tiverton last year. He also played at Yate under Michael and, like Rees, the journeyman forward and strong technician seems to have adapted well to life in Wales.
Fan favourite Dylan Jones was with Merthyr prior to joining us and all three players will, I am certain, feel that they have a point to prove.
Visitors’ boss Paul Michael has overseen quite a transformation since taking over at Penydarren Park and I am sure his side’s passionate and loyal support will be enjoying what is a very successful season. However, results have been more of a mixed bag since the turn of the year, after they were vying for the top spot earlier in the campaign.
Last Saturday, they drew with Walton & Hersham, having taken a share of the spoils against play-off side Salisbury in their previous result. Meanwhile,
Tiverton have some momentum after victories at Hungerford and against Hanwell in their last two outings.
Leigh Robinson’s squad has been boosted by some new arrivals and Alex Fletcher’s loan from Weston-super-Mare being extended until the end of the season. Alfie Moulden, a former team-mate of Yellows Player of the Month for January and February Jack Rice at Willand, has returned after being here previously on loan from Weston and the talented attacking player will boost our options going forward.
Joe O’Connor whose previous impressive loan spell was unfortunately cut short by injury, returns to us from Exeter shortly and Andy Collings, the former Torquay trainee and Buckland goalkeeper, adds strength in that department.
Our destiny is in our own hands and we cannot rely on fellow strugglers to slip up. Both teams have plenty to play for and points are vital over the Easter period with a second game for Yellows on Monday away at Dorchester.
Merthyr travel in numbers and the biggest away support of the season is anticipated, so once again there promises to be a really good atmosphere at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium, along with it being another nod to youth football in the area, with the players, coaches and families of Twyford Spartans our special guests in another Community Day.
Three points would be fantastic today, keep the momentum going then in to Monday’s fixture with the Magpies! 👍