Salisbury manager Steve Claridge admits he is glad to see the back of Merthyr Town for the season.
Claridge’s team have defeated the Martyrs home and away in EvoStik Southern League action, completing the double with a 2-1 win at the MetCoaches Stadium.
“It was a great result against a team who will cause others problems,” said Claridge. “We are glad to get them out the way.”
Thomas Whelan put Salisbury ahead three minutes after half-time and Jack Sparkes made it 2-0 five minutes from time before Lee Lucas fired Merthyr’s goal deep into injury time and the visitors held on for a win to stay tucked in behind leaders Taunton Town and second-placed Weymouth.
Ashley Evans and Lucas went close for Merthyr in the early stages, while Ian Traylor gave Salisbury some difficult moments with his attacking flair.
Salisbury had a major scare when goalkeeper Thomas Hillson aimed a kick upfield, but sliced his clearance. The ball fell for Traylor, but he could not hit the target with his shot.
Merthyr ‘keeper Lewis Webb saved well from Lewis Benson, touching a fiercely struck shot over the bar.
Whelan broke the deadlock when he unleashed a long-range strike into the corner just after half-time, but Merthyr kept battling and were close to an equaliser just before the hour mark.
Connor Young’s 58th minute free-kick found Kieran Lewis, but he sent his header wide, and then goalkeeper Hillson had to be at his best to keep out a Traylor blast.
Sparkes eased Salisbury nerves when he scored their second ago just before the end and they eased to victory despite Lucas scoring for the home team during the fourth minute of injury time.
Merthyr Town: Webb, Young (C Williams 82), Harris, Evans, Wright, Patten (Morgan 68), Meechan, Lucas, Prosser (Jones 22), Traylor. Subs not used: G Williams, Reddy.
Salisbury FC: Hillson, Rayfield, Sparkes, Whelan, Partridge, Wheeler, Benson, Dawson, Fitchett (Kotwica 85), Shephard (Sommerton 77), Haysham (Young 80). Subs not used: Hopper, Herbert.
Attendance: 521
Referee: Dan Flynn
Merthyr Town fixtures
EvoStik Southern League (all 3pm)
Saturday 12 v Wimborne Town (away)
Saturday 19 v Basingstoke Town (home)
Saturday 26 v Tiverton Town (away)
February
Saturday 2 v Dorchester Town (home)
EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH – 2018-2019
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | -Pts | Pts | |
 |
Taunton Town | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 60 | 32 | 28 | – | 49 |
 |
Weymouth | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 52 | 30 | 22 | – | 45 |
 |
Salisbury | 23 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 54 | 34 | 20 | – | 45 |
 |
Harrow Borough | 23 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 62 | 44 | 18 | – | 43 |
 |
Metropolitan Police | 21 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 49 | 37 | 12 | – | 40 |
 |
Merthyr Town | 24 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 34 | 8 | – | 38 |
 |
Kings Langley | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 40 | 40 | 0 | – | 37 |
 |
Beaconsfield Town | 23 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 43 | 38 | 5 | – | 35 |
 |
Farnborough | 25 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 39 | 52 | -13 | – | 32 |
 |
Hendon | 24 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 40 | 42 | -2 | – | 31 |
 |
Walton Casuals | 23 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 42 | 45 | -3 | – | 31 |
 |
Poole Town | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 41 | 29 | 12 | – | 30 |
 |
Swindon Supermarine | 24 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 43 | 39 | 4 | – | 30 |
 |
Hartley Wintney | 24 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 43 | 44 | -1 | – | 30 |
 |
Gosport Borough | 24 | 9 | 2 | 13 | 39 | 48 | -9 | – | 29 |
 |
Tiverton Town | 23 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 41 | 40 | 1 | – | 28 |
 |
Basingstoke Town | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 40 | 44 | -4 | – | 28 |
 |
Wimborne Town | 24 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 43 | 50 | -7 | – | 27 |
 |
Dorchester Town | 23 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 32 | 44 | -12 | – | 27 |
 |
Chesham United | 23 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 22 | 41 | -19 | – | 26 |
 |
Frome Town | 25 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 31 | 44 | -13 | – | 24 |
 |
Staines Town | 25 | 3 | – | 22 | 26 | 73 | -47 | – | 9 |