The Martyrs welcome Harrow Borough to their MetCoaches Stadium home in Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
Manager Gavin Williams has had a busy start to the new decade with three players leaving the club, while defender Ismail Yakubu has extended his loan.
Merthyr Town drew 2-2 at Swindon Supermarine in their opening match of 2020 and Williams said: “I am proud of the players. Their desire and attitude to win a game of football was spot on.
“It was a proper game between two teams playing good football. Can we play better than this? Probably, but we must carry on in the same way until the end of this season.
“Owain Jones scored with a fantastic strike and I’m delighted for him. I’ve felt sorry for Owain because he works so hard and is a forward thinking player who wants to score goals.
“Hopefully that goal against Supermarine can push him on to score more goals.
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“The travelling Merthyr fans were absolutely fantastic. They can push the team on. All the lads were talking about the away support when we were in the changing room after the game.”
The Martyrs now play Harrow at home this afternoon, travel to Weston-super-Mare next Saturday and then entertain Farnborough on Saturday, January 18.
Merthyr captain Ashley Evans has left Merthyr Town to sign for Cymru Premier club Penybont, saying: “I thank the players, staff, volunteers and supporters for the wonderful years I’ve spent at Merthyr Town.
“It will always hold a special place for me.”
Manager Williams said: “I’m absolutely devastated to be losing our club captain.
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“Ash received an offer we can’t match. At this moment we cannot compete financially with the offer that has been received.
“Ashley has been a pleasure to work with and his never say die attitude will be missed at Merthyr Town Football Club. I would like to reiterate the clubs wishes in wishing Ash all the best.”
Back-up goalkeeper Cameron Clarke, a former Cardiff City youth player, has left the Martyrs to join Cymru Premier South club Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC.
Clarke made several appearances for The Martyrs this season since joining from Pontypridd Town AFC in the summer.
Merthyr’s Camden Duncan has signed for BetVictor Southern League Division One South club Mangotsfield United on loan until the end of the season.
The left-sided defender or midfielder was released by Cheltenham Town at the end of last season after completing his two-year scholarship.
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Duncan, aged 18, spent time on loan at Hellenic League Premier club Lydney Town in 2018-19.
Yakubu has committed to Merthyr by extending his loan spell from Hayes and Reading until the end of this season.
Former Newport centre-back ‘Yak’ has been a commanding figure for Merthyr, playing alongside both Jarrad Wright and Kyle Patten.
Merthyr have revealed that three players still at the club have received offers from other clubs over the last seven days, although they declined to name them.
Swindon Supermarine, who are fourth in the BetVictor Southern League table, included former Martyrs and Cardiff City striker Stuart Fleetwood. Swindon extended their unbeaten run to nine matches when by battling to a 2-2 draw against the Martyrs at the Webbswood Stadium on New Years Day. Gethyn Hill and Jones scored for Merthyr, while Conor McDonagh netted twice for Supermarine.
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Hill scored after two minutes when a defensive lapse in concentration by the home team allowed Hill tap into an unguarded net from Jones’ pass.
Matt Williams then headed a goal bound effort from Jones off the line before goalkeeper Martin Horsell made an excellent save to deny the same player.
Man of the match Jones was causing major problems for the home team, but Supermarine equalised when headed in off a post despite ‘keeper Alex Harris getting a hand to it just after the half hour.
Ian Traylor almost put the away side back in front, but his curling effort flew just wide of a post.
Swindon went ahead with 19 minutes left when Ryan Campbell broke down the left and played the ball into McDonagh, who took a touch, before lifting the ball over a defenders head and turned quickly to fire in off the far post.
Then, with 89 minutes gone, Jones struck a spectacular volley and the ball flew into the far corner.
Merthyr Town: Alex Harris, Dan Summerfield (Eliot Richards 76), Adam Davies (capt), Ismail Yakubu, Jarrad Wright, Keiran Lewis (Ryan Prosser 76), Lee Lucas, Owain Jones, Corey Jenkins (Ben Swallow 60), Gethyn Hill, Ian Traylor. Sub not used: Jamie Veale.
Referee: Robert Cockle
Attendance: 333
BetVictor Southern League Premier South
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
| Tiverton Town | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 61 | 30 | 31 | 48 | ||
| Chesham United | 21 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 49 | 29 | 20 | 46 | ||
| Truro City | 21 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 21 | 20 | 45 | ||
| Swindon Supermarine | 20 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 34 | 25 | 9 | 38 | ||
| Taunton Town | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 42 | 29 | 13 | 37 | ||
| Salisbury | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 27 | 12 | 36 | ||
| Gosport Borough | 23 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 35 | ||
| Weston-super-Mare | 21 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 32 | ||
| Hayes & Yeading United | 19 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 32 | ||
| Poole Town | 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 20 | 11 | 29 | ||
| Farnborough | 21 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 26 | 33 | -7 | 29 | ||
| Metropolitan Police | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 33 | 34 | -1 | 28 | ||
| Merthyr Town | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 26 | ||
| Harrow Borough | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 28 | 40 | -12 | 26 | ||
| Wimborne Town | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 28 | 35 | -7 | 25 | ||
| Blackfield & Langley | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 27 | 36 | -9 | 24 | ||
| Walton Casuals | 24 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 32 | 53 | -21 | 24 | ||
| Hartley Wintney | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 23 | ||
| Hendon | 21 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 26 | 39 | -13 | 18 | ||
| Yate Town | 21 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 25 | 40 | -15 | 18 | ||
| Dorchester Town | 23 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 31 | 57 | -26 | 15 | ||
| Beaconsfield Town | 20 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 35 | -20 | 13 | ||