Cardiff Met Uni 3, Merthyr Town 0
Merthyr Town manager Gavin Williams has two weeks and two matches left before starting their Southern League Premier Division season.
The Martyrs to play Welsh League Llanelli at Stebonheath Park on Tuesday (7.30pm) before taking on Northern Premier League Hednesford Town away on Saturday (3pm).
Williams and his team then open their 2017-18 campaign with a home match against Hitchin Town on Saturday, August 12.
Merthyr slipped to defeat against Europa League play-off finalists Cardiff Met University at Cyncoed Campus.
Ian Traylor scored twice in Merthyr’s 3-0 win against Penybont FC and he went close to firing his Martyrs team against against the Met. He fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, forcing a save from goalkeeper Will Fuller.
Stuart Fleetwood and Jaye Bowen caught the eye at times for the Martyrs, but the students were on top and scored their goals through Adam Roscrow (2) and Jordan Lam. They led 1-0 at half-time.
Merthyr’s Ricky Fowler fired a dipping shot just over the bar, while Kyle Copp forced goalkeeper Fuller into a big save.
Centre-half Lewis Baldwin almost scored from a Traylor corner, while Met captain Bradley Woolridge cleared off the line.
Ben Watkins, who spent time last season with Abergavenny Town, forced Fuller into another save as Merthyr produced a spirited performance.
They defeated Cardiff Met during pre-season a year ago, but this time the students had the edge and finished comfortable winners.
Full-back Daniel Alfei, who spent the early part of pre-season with Merthyr Town, has signed for Yeovil Town.
The former Swansea, Wrexham and Wales under-21 player featured for Martyrs in friendlies against Penydarren and Treharris Athletic.
Alfei, 25, had made an initial agreement to sign for Merthyr, but was offered a trial with League Two club Yeovil Town’
“I’d personally like to wish Dan all the best at Yeovil Town,” said Williams. “Unfortunately for us, when a professional League Two club comes knocking on your door offering full-time football, then it’s something that you can’t ignore as a player.”
Merthyr Town will play six newcomers in EvoStik Southern League Premier football this season.
Bishop’s Stortford and Gosport Borough, relegated from National League South, join the Martyrs along with all four of the promotion winners from Division One Central plus South & West.
Respective champions Royston Town and Hereford FC are joined by play-off winners Farnborough and Tiverton Town.