Former Cardiff City youth midfield Jamie Veale paid tribute to Merthyr Town team-mate Corey Jenkins after their 2-1 win against Metropolitan Police FC at Imber Court, London.
“Corey works hard for the team and it was brilliant for him to score the winner,” said Veale. “We were a different level during the first half, winning first and second balls.
“We were under pressure after half-time, but came out with three points.
“Now we turn to our FA Cup qualifying round tie against Plymouth Parkway and that will be a tough match, but we are going there determined to make progress.”
Winger Jenkins scored the Martyrs winner five minutes into second half injury time after a fast counter-attack caught out Police, who were pressing for the winner.
Ian Traylor broke from the edge of Merthyr’s penalty area and kept running until he slipped a pass out to Jenkins on the right. He took on a defender, created space and went for goal from 20 yards.
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The effort was on target and Jenkins watched in delighted when the ball flicked off a defenders boot and flew high into the net.
Merthyr created the first shooting chance of the match when an Owain Jones shot was blocked, while Met Police went ahead in the second minutes when Bilal Sayoud picked out Oliver Robinson and fired the home team in front.
Jarrad Wright equalised for Merthyr after 23 minutes when a Traylor cross picked him out at the far post. Wright was unmarked and hit a tremendous flew into the roof of the net from close range.
Tom Meecham, Adam Davies, Traylor and Gethyn Hill all went close to putting Merthyr ahead, while Wright cleared a Sayoud effort off the line.
The Martyrs defended well when Police stepped up their pressure and Jack Mazzone had a shot saved by goalkeeper Alex Harris.
Then, deep into injury time, Traylor created a chance for Jenkins and his shot flew into the net to hand Martyrs victory.
Merthyr’s Craig McDonnell was named man of the match, while Police manager Gavin Macpherson said: “Merthyr Town are a good side and we had top adjust what we were doing to counter them.
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“In the second half we were the dominant team in what was a decent game to watch. A last minute own goal giving Merthyr victory was tough to take when we were in the ascendency most of the time.”
Merthyr Town player-manager Gavin Williams and his players now focus on their FA Cup tie at Toolstation Western League Plymouth Parkway on Saturday (3pm).
Metropolitan Police FC: Charlie Burns, Lucas Ness, Alex Fisher, Oliver Robinson, Jeremy Arthur, Luke Robertson, Oliver Knight, Tom Nyama (Rudy Appiah-Allen), Jack Mazzone, Ross Murdoch (Ayouib Assal), Bilal Sayoud (Sean McCormack). Subs not used: Daniel Akinmunmi, Hanni Bereiche.
Merthyr Town: Alex Harris, Adam Davies (capt), Kerry Morgan (Corey Jenkins 61), Craig McDonell, Jarrad Wright, Kyle Patten, Jamie Veale, Lee Lucas, Owain Jones (Rhys Davies 71), Tom Meecham (Gethyn Hill 58), Ian Traylor. Subs not used: Cameron Clarke (gk), Rhys Davies, Gethyn Hill, Gavin Williams, Corey Jenkins.