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A busy pre-season has wrapped up for Merthyr Town ahead of their second National League campaign. As usual, the club hosted Welsh clubs of varying strengths in a bid to maximise tactical familiarity and match fitness, and test new players at the club.

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The friendlies began with the two hardest assignments first, losing narrowly to both Cardiff City and Newport County, before comfortably dispatching rivals Barry Town 3-1. Regulation wins over lower league Carmarthen Town and Cambrian & Clydach followed, and then a respectable draw with League Two side Wrexham. In a quick turnaround, the club then recorded victories over Aberystwyth Town, Newtown and Monmouth before drawing with Welsh champions The New Saints. The final match saw the Martyrs travel to Cardiff and knock off Cardiff Met Uni in an entertaining, high scoring game.

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Evans has been a lethal forward in the past few seasons for Merthyr, and was on form during pre-season, scoring 7 goals in 8 appearances. He looks set to once again form a deadly duo with club captain Rhydian Rowlands.

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The club is set to begin its league campaign with an away trip to Eastleigh, before hosting Kidderminster. Merthyr Town will be hopeful it can start the season on the right foot.

A decent pre-season in preparation for the upcoming season. Best of luck. Fingers crossed for a bright start.

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Bart Ferreira has been my back-up goalkeeper for five seasons and has made just 1 cup appearance in all that time. I keep him at the club because he is cheap, and talented enough to fill in should anything grave happen. He’s represented Wales at Under-20 level, and is perfectly content warming my bench.

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Przybek was one of just four arrivals at the club over the pre-season, and is arguably my most important. My defence was severely lacking last season, and I’m hoping Przybek can prove to be a capable and commanding goalkeeper. He’s strong in the air and has good communication, with a track record of keeping clean sheets.

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I had some pretty woeful left backs in my early seasons at Merthyr, and the signing of Matt Blake last season brought me plenty of relief. After tasting success at The New Saints, he played well in his new colours, picking up 7 assists in 38 games. He’s such a damaging crosser from wide, so I’ll be looking to involve him in the attack as much as possible without jeopardising the defence.

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Foulston is one of the longest servants at Merthyr and the reliable vice captain. He has played nearly 250 games for the club across 6 seasons, although last year he struggled a little adjusting to the higher division. He’s very comfortable on the ball for a centre back, but his lack of height and physical strength can sometimes catch him out. I won’t lie, I am often looking for potential replacements, but in the meantime, Foulston does a reliable job.

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Brian Hall is not the most talented youngster at the club, but he’s outlasted some more fancied prospects by being reliable and versatile. The 20 year old can play as a centre back, central midfielder or as a target man up front, with his jumping reach and heading amongst his strengths. He’s played 45 games in two seasons now, and with a short backline one of my biggest issues, he may get more gametime this year.

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The ex-Swansea player is no longer in the first team conversation after 189 league appearances for the club, and this may well be his last season at Penydarren Park. He’s been a reliable back-up option across the backline, and has had his moments, but I expect him to feature a lot less this season.

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David Lewis is an extremely raw prospect who I’ve brought in on loan for the season. He won’t cost me anything in wages, and I can cancel at any time, so it’s at no risk to the club. He’s not made an appearance for Leyton Orient since graduating from their academy but his height and decent mental attributes attracted me to him. I’m not sure how big a role he’ll play this season, but he could be one to surprise.

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Rushesha has been one of the best, and highest paid, players at the club since joining from Swansea three seasons ago and you know what you get from the 23 year old. He reads the game beautifully, is technically sound, and quick enough to keep up with opposition wingers. One of the safest players in the first team.

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Walters, like Lewis, is a low-risk player. He’s on a non-contract deal, which means if he doesn’t feature he won’t cost us anything, and I can discard him at a moment’s notice. He’s underwhelming in terms of attributes, but I still feel I can rely on him as a back-up left back if need be. Before Blake arrived, he was our starting left back for 2 years, and didn’t disgrace himself in his 72 league appearances.

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Liam Williams joined from the Manchester United academy two years ago, and was initially involved in the youth team, but when I gave him his chance he excelled and is now my first choice centre back. He’s nowhere near as technically gifted as Foulston but is a dogged defender and a terrific teammate. His jumping reach helps make up for his lack of height, and he’s still just 20 years old so has plenty of upside.

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Ryan Bevan is one of a select few who has been with the club since I joined, and was my first Player of the Season back in the 2020/21 season. He’s a fan favourite, known for his brilliant set pieces, but has tapered off in recent seasons after averaging over 15 assists a year in his first three at the club. He’s a very hard worker who can cover the pitch well, and if he can string together some decent form is still in the first team conversation. He’s also set to deputise for Rushesha at right back.

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I’m excited for Delve; it’s been a while since we had a genuinely talented loanee join the club and the pundits have tipped him to be my key player this season. His searing pace and excellent technique will make him a nuisance on the left wing, and he’s a good team player as well which should help him fit in.

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Owura has always been something of a project player for me, someone who I wanted to develop into a damaging winger on either flank, but sadly his development hasn’t gone as planned. His natural flair means he still has some excellent moments, but he registered just 5 goals and 6 assists from 40 starts last season and will be in the squad to provide depth this time around.

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Poole has shown glimpses of his immense talent in his short time at the club, having joined from Swansea last season. He reads the game as well as anyone in the side, extremely impressive for a 19 year old, and can control the game from the middle of the park. Has some work to do on his passing, but the foundations of a great player are there, and he’ll be given every opportunity to prove himself in the first team.

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He often flies under the radar, but Tom Sparrow is one of the most reliable players at the club and is part of the furniture now, having played 128 games across 3 seasons. He’s the best passer of the ball at the club, and he leaves it all out there on the pitch too. Can split apart a defence with a killer through ball and controls the ball exceptionally well. He’s got plenty of competition for a first team place though, so needs to stay on top of his game.

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Alan Williams is the most naturally talented player at the club, without a doubt. He has elite vision, an eye for the spectacular, works extremely hard and is one of the best free kick takers in this division. His only issue to date is adapting to a role in my tactical style, which doesn’t suit an advanced attacking midfielder like himself. Towards the back end of the season, Williams strung together some decent form as the deep lying playmakers, and I will continue to test him there. Having him on the park is the most important thing, Williams is the kind of player who can change a game.


Williams, like Marley Watkins, has a football pedigree lacked by other members of the squad. For one, he was my first ever Welsh international, with 7 caps to his name. He’s played in the Championship, League One and the Scottish Premiership. And on his day, he’s one of the most talented wingers in the league. But he struggles terribly for consistency, and I’ll need more from him. In my promotion season in the Vanarama North, he bagged 19 assists; this dropped to 6 last season. If Williams and Delve can both fire we’ll be hard to beat.

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One of many Cardiff rejects to wind up at Penydarren Park, Davies is most comfortable as a forward but will more than likely play on the left wing here at Merthyr. He’s not the most technically able player at the club, but he makes up for it with his physical attributes and work rate, which are what I want to see in a backup, I’m hoping he can be something of a shocktrooper off the bench this season.

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Gareth Evans is one half of my prolific striker pairing and is the best pure goalscorer at the club. Since joining from Liverpool 3 years ago, he’s 94 goals in 159 games and is a fan favourite at Penydarren Park. He’s everything you would ever want in a lower league poacher - he’s quick, he moves into the right areas and he knows how to finish. I once again expect big things from him this season.

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Rimmer is the understudy to Evans; he is definitely the less well-rounded footballer, but arguably better than Evans at pure goalscoring ability, and he was a massive asset off the bench last season. 11 goals from 15 starts was impressive, and he scored at just under a goal a game throughout his time with the Under-19 squad. I’m keen to see if he can get even better in his second season with the senior side.

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This man is the jewel in the crown, the number one player at the club. I have essentially built a team around him, a 203cm behemoth signed on a free transfer from Welsh second division side Airbus UK Broughton. He scored on his debut, and is now the club’s all-time top goalscorer with 116 in 232 games. He’s unsurprisingly an absolute menace in the air, and last season improved massively at bringing his teammates into the game, topping the club assist charts with 14 and making the shortlist for the Vanarama National Player of the Year. He’s a club captain, and after winning four consecutive Fan’s Player of the Season awards, an official club legend.

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As you might have already been able to tell, the Merthyr squad is very young, with just 2 players over the age of 25. Watkins is one of them, and although his best playing days are behind him, he will be a great mentor for some of the younger players. In terms of his role, he no longer has the pace to play on a wing but he reads the game well enough to fill in as a central midfielder and has the height to pinch hit as a target man.

This squad definitely have the capability to compete for the play-offs I would think.

A very young squad who have a number of key players to be built around specifically Alan Williams, if he can adapt to the role, and Rowlands upfront. It is going to be an exciting season for sure!

Some really talented players and familiar faces for me in that team, Matt Blake being one in particular who has stood out for me on FM. This certainly isn't any bottom-half of the table team from my recollection!

ScottT: I hope so too!

TheLFCFan: Yep, Williams is a little bit of an oddity in such a 'steak and potatoes' type team but if he can be at his best we'll be hard to beat.

Jack: I love Blake, having a full back be that good at crossing in the 5th tier is a massive asset.

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Merthyr Town have started their National League campaign in strong fashion, winning 3-1 on the road at Eastleigh in a smash-and-grab performance.

Centre back Liam Williams picked up an unlikely brace with the Martyrs making the most of set piece situations, whilst George Williams was back to his scintillating best with a goal and an assist to his name.

Eastleigh started poorly, with George Williams finding far too much space in the box to finish with a deft header in the 11th minute. Charlie Delve did well to pick him out from the left side, registering the first of (hopefully) many assists for the season.

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The hosts nearly equalised just 7 minutes later through Kristian Ross, but the goal was pulled back for offside. Merthyr pounced again just before the half hour mark, with Matt Blake finding the head of Liam Williams from the corner.

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Jay Foulston nearly scored again from the corner on the brink of half time, but Hugo Montgomery was pleased with the 2-0 lead at half time. After the break, Eastleigh came out invigorated, but once again it was Merthyr who found a way to put the ball in the back of the net. George Williams’ high, hanging free kick found it’s way to the back of the pack where Liam Williams was waiting to poke it home for an unlikely brace.

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Merthyr took their foot off the gas after going 3-0 up, with Montgomery keen to preserve their lead. Liam Williams was forced into a goalline clearance in the 63rd minute to prevent a Foulston own goal, and a long range effort from Eastleigh’s James Black fizzled narrowly past the left post minutes later. The Spitfires finally found the back of the net through Tony Grayson, but in the 88th minute it was a case of too little, too late.

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”There’s plenty to be proud of in that performance. I thought we defended stoically, ultimately it was pretty poor keeping from Przybek to concede that goal so I’ll need to have a word with him. Going forward, we made the most of our opportunities, which is all you can ask for in an away fixture. Two headed goals and two set piece goals are a good sign, but I’m keen to see if we can bag a few more from open play.”

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Next week, Merthyr Town will host Kidderminster Harriers in the first home game of the season. With no injuries or suspensions to speak off, Hugo Montgomery will be looking to go into the game with an unchanged line-up.

The ideal start to a season!

Couldn't have asked for much better there! Top of the league!

What a great way to start the season, well done!! Enjoyed the gifs showing the goals, a great update all round. Looking forward to the next game against Kidderminster, and hopefully you don't suffer any injuries in the lead up to it.

Wonderful start to the season! Another 45 of those and we are going up

ScottT: Sure is!

Jack: Still early days but can't see us giving up that spot tbh

J_ames: Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

TheLFCFan: Fuck it's a long season when you put it like that.

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Merthyr Town have collapsed to a disappointing draw at home against Kidderminster Harriers, after leading for most of the match.

The Martyrs looked set to record a comfortable victory over the more fancied Harriers with two first half goals, but conceded twice in the last 15 minutes to secure just the one point.

Charlie Jolley had a prime chance to slot home an opening goal for Kidderminster after just 90 seconds, but his driven shot went well wide of the post. Similarly, Merthyr’s Gareth Evans was put into a goalscoring opportunity by a brilliant Alan Williams pass, but Jack Ruddy was able to get a hand to it and send it over the crossbar.

Merthyr finally hit the front after 21 minutes, with a poor turnover from Danny Amos allowing the Martyrs to hit them on the counter attack. Charlie Delve put a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Gareth Evans, who was quick enough to evade two defenders and the outstretched arms of Ruddy and tap it into the back of the net.

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Kidderminster’s failure to clear the ball from defence saw them come unstuck again 12 minutes later, with Evans easily collecting a botched header and subsequently finding the head of Rhydian Rowlands, who doesn’t miss many chances from 10 yards.

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Leading 2-0 at the break, the Martyrs continued to play with confidence, but Kidderminster had controlled possession for most of the day and began to work their way back into the match. Jermaine Hylton was a constant nuisance, forced an athletic Przybek save in the 66th minute and then tapping in a parried save from a free kick that was pulled back for offside.

After looking so threatening for so long, the visitors finally got their breakthrough in the 78th minute; much like Merthyr’s opener, Peter Hughes found Charlie Jolley with a well-weighted pass and he converted from a difficult angle to give his side a sniff.

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Jolley had a number of promising shots blocked by defenders in the subsequent minutes, as Merthyr tried to hold on to their narrow lead. But ultimately, a lapse in concentration allowed Tyrhys Dolan to find far too much space in the box, and Adam Przybek failed to keep his shot from finding the back of the net, a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute.

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”Kidderminster are a good side, expected to be in the promotion hunt this season, but it’s still disappointing to concede two goals so late and ultimately these are the kind of games we need to be winning at home if we’re going to be a genuine threat. Evans and Rowlands were both very impressive up front, but the backline was found out too easily, and it’s something we’ll need to work on in the coming weeks.”

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Another away trip looms, with the club set to travel to London to face the struggling Dag & Red in a prime opportunity to pick up points on the road. Although there are no injuries to speak off yet, Montgomery may look to rotate the side slightly with a busy schedule ahead.

A disappointing collapse but a point before kick-off would likely have been taken.