Merthyr Town are out to stop the police in their tracks at the MetCoaches Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Martyrs take on ‘The Met’ at home in a crucial EvoStik Southern League Premier clash.
Manager Gavin Williams and his team could even go top if leaders Weymouth and second-placed Tiverton Town falter.
Weymouth travel to play Hartley Wintney, while Tiverton are at home against bottom of the table Chesham United.
🔵⚽️NEXT UP FOR THE BLUES🔵⚽️
The Blues face their longest away trip of the @SouthernLeague1 season with an over 320 mile round jounrey to face @MerthyrTownFC. They currently sit 3rd with only 1 defeat, while the Blues are looking to get back to winning ways.#Blues🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ppUbQAhUzl
— Met Police FC (@MetPoliceFC) September 13, 2018
Merthyr have made a solid start to the 2018-19 season and have a squad who can be competitive at the top end of Southern League football.
Williams has signed former Derby County and Rotherham United goalkeeper Steven Cann to cover for injured Joe Perry and he made an excellent start in a 4-1 FA Cup win at Melksham Town.
Cann, aged 30, was born in South Africa, but is a Welsh footballer who played for his country at under-17, under-19 and semi-professional levels.
He has also played for Welsh clubs Aberystwyth Town, Carmarthen Town and Port Talbot Town.
Metropolitan Police have former Carlisle and Barnet player Gavin McPherson in charge of their team and he was appointed before the start of this season.
The Football Association decided to move Met Police from Isthmian League football to the Southern League and MacPherson says: “I’m under no illusion of how difficult the task ahead will be. A new league presents new challenges, not only with travel but also the retention of players.”
The Met have joined Merthyr in the Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round, having beaten Kent club Cray Wanderers, who play Isthmian League football, 3-2.
“That was a really big result for us,” said MacPherson. “Not only has it given the club some much-needed revenue, but we’ve also shown the character to come back against a good, vastly experienced side who surely will be promoted this season.
“We have a young side, many of the guys are playing in the FA Cup for the first time so the experience will help them greatly.”
Merthyr Town’s early results and fixtures 2018-19 (Southern League Premier unless stated)
August
Saturday 11 v Chesham United (away) Merthyr won 3-0
Tuesday 14 v Swindon Supermarine (home) 2-2
Saturday 18 v Gosport Borough Merthyr won 4-2
Saturday 25 v Farnborough (away) won 1-0
Monday 27 Frome Town (home) lost 1-3
September
Saturday 1 v Walton Casuals (away) won 3-1
Saturday 8 Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round: Melksham Town 1, Merthyr Town 4
Saturday 15 Metropolitan Police (home)
Saturday 22: Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round v Winchester City (home)
Saturday 29 Hartley Wintney (away)
Welshman Mike Fowler has stepped down any head coach of Southern League Central club Tamworth.
The former Crystal Palace, Wrexham and Newport County midfield player will continue in his full-time youth development role with the club.
Tim Harris, an ex-Merthyr Town and Newport manager, has taken charge of the first team.
The decision for a change was taken after just one league win in six games plus Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division side Hednesford Town in the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round.
PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH LEAGUE TABLE
| P | PTS | GD | |
| Weymouth | 6 | 13 | 11 |
| Tiverton Town | 6 | 13 | 7 |
| Merthyr Town | 6 | 13 | 6 |
| Taunton Town | 6 | 11 | 6 |
| Basingstoke Town | 6 | 11 | 4 |
| Hartley Wintney | 6 | 11 | 3 |
| Hendon | 6 | 11 | 3 |
| Farnborough | 6 | 10 | 4 |
| Poole Town | 6 | 10 | 2 |
| Gosport Borough | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Harrow Borough | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| Metropolitan Police | 6 | 8 | -3 |
| Frome Town | 6 | 7 | -3 |
| Dorchester Town | 6 | 7 | -6 |
| Salisbury | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Beaconsfield Town | 6 | 6 | -2 |
| Staines Town | 6 | 6 | -5 |
| Swindon Supermarine | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Kings Langley | 6 | 4 | -4 |
| Wimborne Town | 5 | 4 | -6 |
| Walton Casuals | 5 | 2 | -9 |
| Chesham United | 6 | 1 | -12 |