Ian Traylor fired Merthyr Town’s winner in their BetVictor Southern Premier home clash with Gosport Borough at the MetCoaches Stadium.
The Martyrs were still without six injured players, including centre-forwards Gethyn Hill and Ryan Prosser, but they battled to a hard-earned victory.
‘Traylz’ netted from a 70th minute penalty awarded when he was fouled by Gosport’s Mike Carter, stroking the ball past visiting keeper Patrick O’Flaherty.
Lee Molyneaux, Gosport’s manager, admitted his team didn’t do enough to justify earning a win against the Martyrs, saying: “The game was won and lost in midfield.
“I didn’t feel with the players we have in that area that we won enough second balls.
“We have few quibbles with the penalty because you can’t dive in inside your own penalty area. There wasn’t a great deal to shout about at either end.
“Our big positive is that we are still to concede a goal from open play after three games. In fact, we haven’t even looked like conceding from open play.”
It was the second time in four days Borough endured a narrow defeat on the road, with a second half penalty the difference each time and Molyneaux said: “We have to remember that Salisbury and Merthyr are two of the most difficult places to go and get a positive result.”
Chances were scarce for either team during the first half with Joe Lea going closest for the visitors after 15 minutes.
O’Flaherty then produced a couple of good saves, before George Barker sent a powerful shot wide at the other end.
Merthyr Town: Alex Harris, Adam Davies, Rhys Davies, Kyle Patten, Jarrad Wright, Ashley Evans (capt), Jamie Veale (Kerry Morgan 63), Lee Lucas, Owain Jones, Ben Swallow, Ian Traylor (Tom Meecham 81). Subs not used: Corey Jenkins.
Gosport Borough: Patrick O’Flaherty, Joseph Lea, Ryan Woodford, Sam Roberts, Charlie Kennedy, Rory Williams, Ridge, Carter, Theo Lewis, George Barker (Matt Paterson 46), Sam Argent. Subs: Walker-Harris, Callum Chugg, Josh Huggins, Alex Lafleur.
Attendance: 427
Home tickets at the MetCoaches Stadium (CF47 8RF)
Admission £12 Adults, £9 Concessions, Children £1
Merthyr Town FC’s full 2019/20 BetVictor Southern League Premier South fixture list/results:
AUGUST
Sat 10 – Harrow Borough 1, Merthyr Town 0
Tue 13 – Merthyr Town 1, Weston-super-Mare 1
Sat 17 – Merthyr Town 1, Gosport Borough 0
Sat 24 – Farnborough (A)
Mon 26 – Swindon Supermarine (H)
Sat 31 – Metropolitan Police (A)
SEPTEMBER
Wed 4 – Southern Football League Cup preliminary round
Sat 7 – Emirates FA Cup Qualifying Round 1
Sat 14 – Chesham United (H)
Wed 18 – Tiverton Town (A)
Sat 21- Emirates FA Cup Qualifying round two
Sat 28 – Walton Casuals (A)
OCTOBER
Wed 2 – Southern Football League Cup round one
Sat 5 – Wimborne Town (H)
Sat 12 – Blackfield & Langley (H)
Tue 15 – Dorchester Town A
Sat 19 – Beaconsfield Town (A)
Tue 22 – Salisbury (H)
Sat 26 – Buildbase FA Trophy Qualifying round one
NOVEMBER
Sat 2 – Truro City (A)
Wed 6 – Southern Football League Cup round two
Sat 9 – Taunton Town (H)
Sat 16 – Poole Town (A)
Sat 23 – Hayes & Yeading United (H)
Sat 30 – Hartley Wintney (H)
DECEMBER
Wed 4 – Southern Football League Cup Round 3
Sat 7 – Hendon A
Sat 14 – Walton Casuals (H)
Sat 21 – Wimborne Town (A)
Thu 26 – Yate Town (H)
JANUARY
Wed 1 – Swindon Supermarine (A)
Sat 4 – Harrow Borough (H)
Wed 8 – Southern Football League Cup Round 4
Sat 11 – Weston-Super-Mare A
Sat 18 – Farnborough (H)
Sat 25 – Gosport Borough (A)
FEBRUARY
Sat 1 – Metropolitan Police (H)
Sat 8 – Chesham United (A)
Sat 15 – Dorchester Town (H)
Wed 19 – League Cup Semi-Finals
Sat 22 – Blackfield & Langley (A)
Sat 29 – Beaconsfield Town (H)
MARCH
Wed 4 – Emirates FA Cup 5
Sat 7 – Salisbury (A)
Sat 14 – Taunton Town (A)
Sat 21 – Truro City (H)
Wed 25 League Cup Final 1st Leg
Sat 28 Hayes & Yeading United A
APRIL
Wed 1 – League Cup Final 2nd Leg
Sat 4 – Poole Town (H)
Sat 11 – Tiverton Town (H)
Mon 13 – Yate Town (A)
Sat 18 – Hartley Wintney (A)
Sat 25 – Hendon (H)