Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
Merthyr Town v Tiverton Town
Saturday, August 10 . Penydarren Park . 3pm
TIVERTON make their seasonal Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South bow in South West Wales on Saturday against familiar foe Merthyr Town, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs when the 2023-24 campaign reached its conclusion.
The Martyrs bid farewell in the summer to popular retiring striker Gethyn Hill and the long serving ex-pro and crowd pleasing winger Kerry Morgan and said hello to former Yellow and prolific Frome centre-forward Kane Simpson. It never quite happened for the athletic and talented player at Tiverton, but his goal stats elsewhere are very good.
Manager Paul Michael has paired him with one of the league’s top goalgetters last term, Ricardo Rees. Another former Tivvy player, Noah Smerdon, could also feature on Saturday.
Tivvy manager Leigh Robinson and his assistant Ben Gerring have assembled a squad with plenty of potential and with no shortage of skill. Until the season unfolds, we will not know what is possible from this group of players, which contains a healthy blend of youth and experience.
The heartening emergence of young technical players like Jeff Forkuo, Theo Jeremy and central defender Kyle Anderson has complimented established players like the classy Asa Hall, the predatorial Joe Parker, the quick-footed Jay Murray, and the gifted Leighton Thomas.
However, an often overlooked and vital performer for the Yellows’ is Javan Wright, whose industry and balance on the ball gives Tivvy a willing runner both in and out of possession.
It is hard not to mention the quartet who are in their third term with the Yellows: new captain, the inspirational Matt Britton; powerful leader at the back Josh Jones; and our attacking full-backs, fan favourites Niall Thompson and Dylan Jones.
I have singled a few of our players out there, but there are many new names at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium with the ability to shine. Results-wise in pre season, we have not made others sit up and take note, but, with a bit of belief and purpose, this group can develop into a very competitive outfit at the level at which we play.
For Merthyr, Lee Lucas has returned to the club after spells at Taunton and Barry. The midfielder with undoubted pedigree, who, earlier in his football career was a professional with Swansea City, Burton Albion, Motherwell and Cheltenham, brings guile to the Martyrs’ line-up.
Veteran Matthew Harris, who often captains the side, is a seasoned performer for the hosts and his influence cannot be underestimated. The veteran midfielder is a leader on and off the pitch.
It is the aforementioned Ricardo Rees, a former Bristol City Academy player, who will require extremely close attention. He is a real livewire whose finishing prowess almost saw him receive the Southern League Premier South golden boot during the previous campaign. His 35 goals then addedto 19 he scored in the 2022-2023 season give him 54 goals in 84 league games in this division.
Merthyr have prepared for the new term by progressing through two rounds of a Welsh Cup competition; losing narrowly and late on at Weston-super-Mare by a 2-1 scoreline; and similarly going down by the odd goal to local rivals and Welsh Premier League side Penybont. Wins against Carlton Town and Llanelli Reds and a draw with Haverfordwest are other results during pre-season for the home side.
Our hosts are a well supported fan-owned club. Famous fan, Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure and partner Jonny Owen, a TV and film director, give the Martyrs a strong profile in South West Wales and their support will be evident when Tivvy take on their hosts at Penydarren Park on Saturday.
This could well be a baptism of fire for a youthful-looking Yellows or could inspire them to get off to a positive start. When the first whistle blows, we very much enter the unknown and there will have been be plenty of excitement and anticipation in the build-up to our first game of the new campaign.
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