Merthyr Town 2, Tiverton Town 1
Eliot Richards and Ian Traylor scored the Merthyr Town goals in their Southern League home win against Tiverton Town at the Loadlok Community Stadium.
Both teams had a player sent off in this Premier League clash. Jordan Rogers was dismissed for a second bookable offence during the first half, while Merthyr’s Stuart Fleetwood was dismissed on a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.
This is a second successive win for the Martyrs, who now face three successive away fixtures.
They go to St Ives this Saturday, take on Shortwood United away in the BigFreeBet.com Cup next Tuesday and then travel to play League leaders Kettering on Saturday, October 7.
Merthyr’s next home fixture is against Slough Town on Tuesday, October 10.
Manager Gavin Williams was delighted when his team opened a 2-0 lead before half-time and 10-man Tiverton looked in trouble, but they battled with real spirit.
Merthyr dominated the first half and after 26 minutes Eliot Richards picked up the ball, beat two Tiverton defenders and fired a shot past goalkeeper Martin Rice to make it 1-0.
The visitors had Rogers dismissed after he clashed with Kyle Patten, while, on the stroke of half-time, Richards was fouled playing ball wide to Adam Davies.
Referee Daniel Flynn played a good advantage and the cross by Davies was tapped in at the far post by Traylor to make it 2-0.
The second half saw Merthyr have plenty of possession without being able to score a third goal.
Tiverton fought back back and on 70 minutes Merthyr lost possession in midfield and Levi Landricombe was brought down by Scott Tancock 25 yards out.
Landricombe picked himself up and curled the free-kick past goalkeeper Oliver Davies to reduce deficit to 2-1.
Fleetwood was sent off with five minutes left, while Davies was forced to make a late save to deny Ollie Knowles.
Overall Merthyr deserved the victory which should have been more comfortable.
Merthyr Town: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Cameron Pring, Ashley Evans (capt), Scott Tancock, Jaye Bowen (Kerry Morgan 82), Kyle Patten, Stuart Fleetwood, Eliot Richards (Robbie Patten 68), Ian Traylor (Mo Touray 68)
Substitutes: Curtis McDonald, Corey Jenkins.