Slough Town have warned their players: “Beware the Martyrs backlash.
Manager Gavin Williams takes his Merthyr Town team to Arbour Park this afternoon (Saturday, 3pm) and Slough are intent on earning the three points they need to sustain a promotion push.
“We’re going to be favourites, but Merthyr are a decent team,” said Slough joint-manager Jon Underwood.
The home team are seventh in the table, while the Martyrs are 18th following the financial crisis they faced earlier this season.
Manager Williams and his team have proved competitive since Merthyr officials have stabilised the club and will travel to Slough believing they can earn some reward.
Merthyr are currently clear of relegation danger, standing 27 points ahead of bottom club Gosport Borough with only one team to go down.
Underwood’s Rebels have back-to-back home fixtures, against Merthyr this afternoon (3pm) and Kings Langley on Tuesday (7.45pm).
“Merthyr have had their financial issues and lost players, but have since made progress,” said Underwood. “A good number of players stayed, but they’re still not as strong.
“We’re going to be favourites, but Merthyr are still a decent side and we will have to play well.
“The target is to earn six points from the two games because we’re playing catch-up and can’t afford to drop points.
“We’re playing two sides in the bottom half, but in this league you never know.
“On their day any side can raise their game to earn a draw, and we can’t afford to drop two points.
“We are not fully flowing yet, but are starting to get to the levels of consistency we had earlier in the season.
“We lost against Bishops Stortford at home about a month ago. That was a blow and a surprise, but we’re now unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions.
“We like to play at certain way at Arbour Park because the key is to win your home games and get what you can away.
“We have some tough Tuesday night away trips ahead of us and we’re going to drop points in those, so we have to make sure we are ruthless at home and take maximum points.”
Merthyr Town, from: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Miles John, Ryan Prosser, Ashley Evans (Capt), Matthew Harris, Scott Tancock, Kerry Morgan, Harry Franklin, Connor Hanford, Corey Jenkins, Jaye Bowen, Gavin Williams, Ian Traylor, Adam Mahagan, Lee Price.