Merthyr Town took on the Swans in midweek – and they take on a different flight of Swans on Saturday.

Neither of their opponents have any connection with Swansea City, but both are proud of their club’s nickname.

The Martyrs travelled to Gloucestershire for their League Cup time against Slimbridge AFC, who gained their Swans tag because Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust is among their neighbours.

Now they are heading to Staines Town, a club based close to the River Thames and that is their Swans’ connection.

Staines have made it clear they are aiming to achieve Football League status over the next decade, but they won’t be focused on that long-term aim when the Martyrs arrive at their Wheatsheaf Park home.

They are hovering uncomfortably close to the relegation places in EvoStik Southern League Premier, while Merthyr are aiming to maintain their challenge for a play-offs spot.

Manager Gavin Williams rested many of his first team regulars for Merthyr’s League Cup trip to play Slimbridge in midweek, taking a young group to Thornhill Park in Gloucestershire.

The result was a 5-1 win for Slimbridge, but Williams, who made a rare playing appearance from the start, won’t worry too much about the defeat.

He will, though, be keen to ensure his Martyrs keep the pressure on hosts Staines and earn all three points from the trip.

The home team have new owners and a new manager after chairman Matthew Boon agreed a takeover of the club.

Boon retained a shareholding in the club and became honorary President.

The ownership consortium is chaired by Joe Dixon, whose Board comprises chief executive Paul Jaszynski, Yiu Yin Yau, William Pitisongswat and Shipeng Fu.

A club statement said: “The group has a wealth of experience and extensive network in the football, financial, media and private equity sectors.

“The vision and target for the club is to achieve football league status over a 10-year period. This success is to be built around a self-sustainable model with eventual plans to build an academy locally and become a pillar of the local community.”

First team coach Adam Wickes was appointed interim manager following the departure of Cristian Colas.

The Spaniard joined Staines last summer after three years Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division outfit Biggleswade United.

His 163 games in charge at Biggleswade yielded a win ratio of 45 per cent with 73 victories and 250 goals, but he was given only six games and three months to make his mark on the Swans.

Colas tweeted: “Unfortunately it’s over. The club has informed me I am no longer the head coach of Staines Town. 

“It has been a pleasure to share my time with all of you at Wheatsheaf Park. Thanks for your support the past three months. I wish you all the best.”

Saturday’s Staines v Merthyr match is being played on Non League Day in conjunction with 25th anniversary of the Kick-it-Out Campaign.

The home club are offering free entry to season ticket holders of Football League clubs and for Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel.

General entry is £5 or £10 with half of that donated to the Prostate Cancer charity.

LEAGUE TABLE: EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH – 2018/2019

	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	-Pts	Pts
	Weymouth	9	6	2	1	26	11	15	–	20
	Taunton Town	9	5	2	2	21	11	10	–	17
	Tiverton Town	8	5	2	1	20	10	10	–	17
	Hendon	8	5	2	1	16	9	7	–	17
	Hartley Wintney	10	4	5	1	22	17	5	–	17
	Merthyr Town	8	4	3	1	17	11	6	–	15
	Basingstoke Town	9	4	2	3	17	16	1	–	14
	Poole Town	8	4	1	3	17	10	7	–	13
	Farnborough	9	4	1	4	16	18	-2	–	13
	Harrow Borough	9	3	3	3	22	18	4	–	12
	Salisbury	8	3	3	2	17	13	4	–	12
	Metropolitan Police	8	3	3	2	15	15	0	–	12
	Gosport Borough	9	4	–	5	17	20	-3	–	12
	Walton Casuals	9	3	2	4	16	22	-6	–	11
	Dorchester Town	9	3	2	4	12	20	-8	–	11
	Beaconsfield Town	8	2	4	2	11	12	-1	–	10
	Frome Town	9	3	1	5	13	17	-4	–	10
	Kings Langley	8	2	2	4	14	17	-3	–	8
	Staines Town	9	2	–	7	12	23	-11	–	6
	Swindon Supermarine	7	1	2	4	10	13	-3	–	5
	Wimborne Town	8	1	1	6	11	20	-9	–	4
	Chesham United	9	1	1	7	3	22	-19	–	4