Merthyr Town are fifth in the Southern League Premier South going into this Saturday’s home match against Gosport at the MetCoaches Community Stadium.
The Martyrs won 3-0 at Chesham in their opening fixture and then drew 2-2 at home against Swindon Supermarine this week.
Manager Lee Spalding and his ‘Marine team, who included former Cardiff and Martyrs’ striker Stuart Fleetwood, were in front twice, but Merthyr fought back to earn a share of the spoils.
The visitors from Wiltshire took the lead when Brad Hooper was fouled inside the penalty area and he jumped up to score from the resulting penalty, sending goalkeeper Joe Perry the wrong way.
Merthyr took only seven minutes to make it 1-1, Tom Meechan firing home from an Ian Traylor pass after a mistake in the visiting defence.
Supermarine were back in front before half-time when Zak Westlake headed home from a Bradley Gray corner.
It was almost 3-0 after 55 minutes when Gray’s effort rebounded off a post, but Merthyr earned a draw when Swindon’s Dan Williamson was penalised for a push in the penalty area. Traylor equalised from the penalty spot.
Corey Jenkins fired against a post from an Adam Davies cross, while Kerry Morgan flashed a shot just wide.
Merthyr Town: Joe Perry, Joe Hunt, Jarrad Wright, Craig McDonnell, Kieran Lewis, Ashley Evans, Kerry Morgan, Adam Davies, Corey Jenkins, Tom Meechan, Ian Traylor. Subs: Miles John, Connor Young, Craig Reddy, Lee Price.
Swindon Supermarine: Josh Hill, Dan Williamson, Matt Coupe, Zak Westlake, Michael Hopkins, Dave Bampton, Brad Hooper, Luke Williams, Bradley Gray, Conor McDonagh, Stuart Fleetwood. Subs: Joe Selman, Sam Morris, Harrison Bennett, Josh Parsons, Jack Alexander.
#goalvideo #sfl @MerthyrTownFC pic.twitter.com/Xpq5Pn7YW7
— Swindon Supermarine (@SupermarineFC) August 14, 2018
The Martyrs have new stadium sponsors in and a club statement says: “We are pleased to announce that our new Stadium Sponsors are @metcoaches We will formally welcome and introduce our new Stadium sponsors to all supporters this coming Saturday when we entertain Gosport Borough.”
Hartley Wintney are top of the table with six points from two matches. Liam Eagle sired their winner in a 1-0 victory against Gosport Borough, netting just before half-time.
Tiverton Town, Weymouth and Met Police are also on six points, two ahead of Merthyr in fifth.
Levi Landricombe (56 mins), Harry Evans (81) and Jordan Rogers (83) scored for Tiverton in a 3-1 win against Frome Town, while goals from Brandon Goodship (59) and Abdulai Baggie (91)earned Weymouth their 2-1 win against Taunton Town.
Max Blackmore was on target for Met Police in a 1-0 success against Chesham United.
PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH LEAGUE TABLE
| P | PTS | GD | |
| Hartley Wintney | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Tiverton Town | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Weymouth | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Metropolitan Police | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Merthyr Town | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Hendon | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Basingstoke Town | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Taunton Town | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Farnborough | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Harrow Borough | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Dorchester Town | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Gosport Borough | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Poole Town | 2 | 3 | -1 |
| Beaconsfield Town | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| Salisbury | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| Swindon Supermarine | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| Frome Town | 2 | 1 | -2 |
| Walton Casuals | 2 | 1 | -3 |
| Kings Langley | 2 | 0 | -3 |
| Wimborne Town | 2 | 0 | -4 |
| Chesham United | 2 | 0 | -4 |
| Staines Town | 2 | 0 | -7 |
Champions promoted automatically, next four teams in play-offs. Bottom three relegated.