Tiverton Town 1, Merthyr Town 0
The Martyrs were shot down by former Plymouth Argyle midfield player River Allen at Tiverton Town’s Ian Moorcroft Stadium.
Tivvy captain Allen scored from a first half penalty awarded for handball and that proved to be the only goal of the match.
Merthyr Town, still without centre-forwards Gethyn Hill and Ryan Prosser because of injuries, created chances, but were unable to score.
They were also indebted to goalkeeper Alex Harris, who made two outstanding saves just before half-time.
Manager Gavin Williams was forced to make a team change after 14 minutes when Lee Lucas went off injured and Eliot Richards took over.
Three minutes later Tiverton were awarded a penalty and went ahead when Allen finished low and hard into the bottom left-hand corner past the diving Harris.
Ian Traylor led Merthyr’s bid to fight back and beat a defender wide before delivering a high cross, but Tiverton were able to clear.
Just after the half hour Ashley Evans picked out Traylor’s run, but goalkeeper Lewis Williams reacted quickly to cut out the danger.
Merthyr ’keeper Harris pulled off big saves after 43 and 45 minutes when Tiverton pressed for a second goal, while the visitors started strongly after the break.
Owain Jones teed up Traylor just outside the box, but the striker could only drag his shot wide.
On the hour Jones picked out Jarrad Wright with a far post cross, but his header flew over the bar.
Ben Swallow went close to an equaliser with a low, dipping free-kick, but Williams produced a superb save.
Warm Ups underway 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/fQHDVRjwba
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) September 18, 2019
Merthyr kept pressing and Traylor ran in behind the Tiverton defence before firing low and hard across the face of goal. The Martyrs could not find the goal they needed and Tiverton held on for a win which lifted them into second place behind Betvictor Southern Premier leaders Chesham United.
Player-manager Gavin Williams and his players, who are 10th, now focus on their Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.
Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams, Jordan Dyer, Noah Smerdon, George Nancekivell, Michael Landricombe, Jordan Bentley, Josh Key, River Allen (capt), Jared Lewington, Jordan Bastin, Tyler Elliott. Subs: Steve Colwell, Levi Landricombe, Isaac Furness, Scott Rogers, George Rogers.
Merthyr Town FC: Alex Harris, Adam Davies, Ben Swallow, Craig McDonnell (Camden Duncan 46), Jarrad Wright, Ashley Evans (capt), Kyle Patten, Jamie Veale (Tom Meecham 70), Lee Lucas (Eliot Richards 14), Owain Jones, Ian Traylor. Subs not used: Cameron Clarke (gk), Kerry Morgan.
Attendance: 468
BetVictor Southern Premier
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
| Chesham United | 8 | 6 | – | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 18 | ||
| Tiverton Town | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 17 | ||
| Poole Town | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 16 | ||
| Truro City | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 16 | ||
| Weston-super-Mare | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 13 | ||
| Blackfield & Langley | 6 | 4 | – | 2 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 12 | ||
| Salisbury | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 12 | ||
| Taunton Town | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 12 | ||
| Harrow Borough | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 11 | ||
| Merthyr Town | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 10 | ||
| Metropolitan Police | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 10 | ||
| Wimborne Town | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 9 | ||
| Hartley Wintney | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 9 | ||
| Farnborough | 7 | 3 | – | 4 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 9 | ||
| Gosport Borough | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | ||
| Hayes & Yeading United | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Swindon Supermarine | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 8 | ||
| Hendon | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 7 | ||
| Dorchester Town | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 7 | ||
| Walton Casuals | 7 | 2 | – | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 6 | ||
| Yate Town | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 14 | -4 | 4 | ||
| Beaconsfield Town | 8 | 1 | – | 7 | 6 | 21 | -15 | 3 | ||