A shame to throw away a two goal lead but by the looks of the pressure they were putting you under, it might have been a positive point!

Gutting way to drop two points there! Very unlucky indeed. Onto the next!

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There will be plenty of relieved faces at Penydarren Park, with Rhydian Rowlands signing a contract extension through to the summer of 2028.

The 21 year old has been involved with a number of transfer rumours linking him to Football League sides but Merthyr Town will feel much safer knowing he is locked down for another three seasons.

Rowlands scored his first goal of the season on the weekend against Kidderminster, looking to add to his 117 career goals at the club he has captained for four seasons.

Unfortunate to shop 2 late goals, but there'll be a much happier feeling around the club now that Rowland has re-signed! I'd happily drop two points if it means I get to keep my star striker for another 3 seasons Keep up the good work man, #InHugoWeTrust

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An early wonder strike from Charlie Delve was enough to see Merthyr Town snatch the win at Victoria Road, continuing the side’s unblemished record away from home.

The loanee winger put his side ahead in the 9th minute and although both teams manufactured chances to add to the scoresheet, the Martyrs held on to record their second win of the season.

After some patient build-up play, Tom Sparrow played a short ball to the feet of Charlie Delve, who saw his opening and rifled a shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner.

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Sparrow nearly cost the Martyrs dearly less than 2 minutes later, after losing the ball in a dangerous position, but Adam Przybek pulled off an acrobatic save to deny Mason Markey what seemed to be a certain equaliser. Dag & Red had yet another chance to equalise at the 15 minute mark, but Shae Hutchinson’s header sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Alan Williams’ free kick effort nearly pulled Merthyr even further ahead just before the half, but despite the chances the visiting team went into the break still leading 1-0. Przybek once again denied Markey in the 49th minute, parrying the final piece of a beautiful passing sequence, and from there the Martyr defence went into lockdown mode, as Dag & Red failed to manufacture any significant chances in the final 40 minutes, much to the disappointment of the 1500 home fans.

”It’s always pleasing to win away from home, so there’s not too much to complain about. We kept a clean sheet, and Przybek was immense, so full props to the defence. I would’ve liked to score from open play but Delve has been superb so far this season and I’m not disappointed to have won off the back of a strike like that!”

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The side will play two games this week but will host both, a great chance to pick up the maximum 6 points available. Both Aldershot and Ebbsfleet have been middling sides early on this season, and Montgomery will be keen to impress the home fans after drawing against Kidderminster last week.

Pleasing to tie Rowlands to a new deal in spite of interest from Football League clubs.

Another good result for Merthyr!

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Merthyr might have known Charlie Delve’s talents when they signed him, but they will still be extremely impressed with his start to the season.

The 21 year old, on loan from Cardiff City, picked up an assist in each of the first two matches before scoring a brilliant long range bullet to secure a 1-0 win over Dag & Red.

Delve has made the left wing at Merthyr his own, displacing Isaak Davies from the first team and even outshining the experienced George Williams on the other flank.

He made his senior debut in the Vanarama National on loan at Eastleigh last year, but was largely disappointing in his 6 games, and did not play professional football last season. Joining Merthyr Town was always a lifeline for the talented winger, and he is making the best of his opportunities thus far.

He has been a star thus far. Long may his impressive performances continue!

Another good result to get back into the winning column. Also great news that Rowlands is staying, an influential captain who can make a massive difference.

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Merthyr Town have survived a late scare to win their first home game of the season against Aldershot Town.

The Martyrs jumped out to a 3-0 first half lead and looked set to comfortably see out the match but were pegged back twice in the second half by Aldershot’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, eventually holding on to take home the three points.

For the second week in a row, Merthyr got off to a flying start from range, with Tom Sparrow pouncing on a deflected shot and firing off an absolute belter from well outside the box.

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The Martyrs were all over Aldershot early, and doubled their tally before the half hour mark. After a Gareth Evans shot, the Aldershot defence attempted to clear but only found the head of Rhydian Rowlands; the Merthyr captain cushioned the ball down to the waiting George Williams who drove home the second goal of the afternoon.

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Rowlands nearly added his own goal, with his 36th minute header just skimming the crossbar after a trademark Merthyr long throw, but it was Charlie Delve who broke through for the third goal, an outstanding individual effort that saw him collect the ball at the halfway line, dribble to the edge of the box and then hit a powerful effort with the outside of his boot that could only be parried by Aldershot’s Russell Granger.

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With a 3-0 lead at half time, and in comfortable control of the game, Merthyr looked to push their advantage after the break, and this may have been their eventual undoing.

In the 58th minute, a Joe Muscatt header was inches away from staying under the crossbar, and in the 71st minute, Merthyr’s Jay Foulston lost possession in the final third, giving Aldershot a clear two-on-one opportunity, and if not for the quick work of Adam Przybek, they might’ve pulled one back.

But less than 2 minutes later, they did manage to pull one back, and again due to a lack of concentration by the Merthyr defence. A high hanging cross into the 6 yard box should have been dealt with comfortably by one of the three defenders in the area, but miscommunication saw no one challenge, and Brandon Thomas-Asante was there to collect an easy goal.

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Hugo Montgomery must have been feeling even more nervous when, in the 84th minute, a wayward Andrew Walters clearance not only turned the ball over, but left Thomas-Asante in a clear, free onside position, and he didn’t let his teammates down, scoring his second goal and bringing the game back from the brink. But Merthyr managed to hold on for the final 10 minutes, securing a nervy 3-2 win.

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”The first half was a joy to watch, we were clinical, overwhelming, and we witnessed two brilliant individual efforts from Sparrow and Delve. But the second half was unacceptable, and it’s the second time in two home games where we’ve conceded twice in the last 20 minutes. I sometimes get caught up in wanting to chase bigger wins but we’ll need to temper our approach in the coming weeks to make sure we hold onto wins, and keep clean sheets as well.”

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Merthyr Town were at their scintillating best in a breathtaking first half display against Ebbsfleet, putting five goals past Aston Oxborough en route to their biggest home win in over a year.

Apart from a 20th minute Cameron Evans strike to make it 2-1, Ebbsfleet looked unable to cope with the Martyrs’ attacking pair as both Rhydian Rowlands and Gareth Evans picked up braces.

Merthyr had scored goals in the opening 15 minutes of three games already this season, and it was another fast start for the Welsh team. Rowlands and Evans found themselves isolated in a two-on-two situation, and in a twist on the usual plan, Evans sent through his skipper with a well-weighted through ball, with Rowlands easily opening the angle and taking the lead after just 4 minutes.

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Evans was keen to get in on the action, and he pounced on a parried save by Oxborough which ricocheted off the upright. Ever the poacher, Evans tapped the ball into an empty net, doubling the lead after just 9 minutes.

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The two sides traded chances over the next 10 minutes, but it was Ebbsfleet who broke through, allaying early fears through Cameron Evans’ driven header in the 20th minute.

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But with the game poised at 2-1, Merthyr took complete control of the game and dominated until half time.

Evans once again showed his poacher instincts; a lobbed ball from Liam Williams was enough for him to latch on, and he showed his composure by lifting it over the keeper to make it 3-1.

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Just 7 minutes later, with less than five minutes to go until half time, the roles were reversed - a clever assist from Evans and Liam Williams the goal. After a quick one-two from the corner, George Williams’ cross found the head of Gareth Evans, flicking it across to Williams who headed it home from point blank range.

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Already leading 4-1, and with half time in sight, Merthyr did not relent, and in the 45th minute added their fifth goal, a goal seen many many times at Penydarren Park - a long, floated cross finding the head of Rhydian Rowlands, and then finding the back of the net.

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With the game well and truly sewn up at half time, both teams seemed to lose their appetite for the contest. Ebbsfleet sub Rafael Garcia nearly scored after a wonderful solo run in the 72nd minute, denied by Adam Przybek, and the Merthyr keeper denied Wilson Kneeshaw in the 84th minute as well to maintain the half time scoreline of Merthyr 5, Ebbsfleet 1.

”What an incredible performance, our equal biggest win at home in the Vanarama National and it was all over by half time - makes my job as a manager much easier in the second half. I’ve known for 4 years now that our striker partnership is absolutely lethal, and they were both on fire today, Gareth Evans especially. 2 goals and 2 assists, he ran proceedings, and I’m very happy with the defensive effort as well. Excellent win in front of our home fans, and a clean sheet in the second half for the first time this season..”

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Merthyr will get a well-earned rest next week, with a 9 day break before visiting Boreham Wood and then hosting league powerhouse Chester in what should be a massive battle.

Two cracking wins and Merthyr continue to demonstrate their clinical touch in front of goal. Tighten up at the back a little and this side will no doubt be champions. There's just a little question mark with how slack the defence can be at the moment for me.

You're doing a brilliant job so far this season, and the vibe around Penydarren Park must be getting better and better. Everyone is doing, and it's nice to see that Evans and Williams are chipping in with goals to help take a bit of the pressure off Rowland.

Keep up the good work

ScottT: Yeah, the back line is a little worrying. But if we're winning games then that's the most important thing.

J_ames: Thanks for the words of support mate

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Morale is high in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil, with their club currently sitting top of the Vanarama National after 5 games.

The Martyrs’ 5-1 thrashing of Ebbsfleet on Saturday saw them overtake Kidderminster for top position, the only club they have dropped points against this season. The two clubs and Chester are the only unbeaten sides this month.

Merthyr’s attacking prowess has been notable, scoring a league high 14 goals, but will be wary of their 6 goals conceded and just 1 clean sheet for the month. Nonetheless, their superior firepower has been enough to secure wins, and new signings Charlie Delve and Adam Przybek have impressed early in their stints at Penydarren Park.

After finishing 11th last season, most expected the Welsh side to maintain that mid-table form but now Hugo Montgomery will be looking to press forward and continue to be an attacking powerhouse in the weeks ahead.

It has certainly been a great start for Merthyr. It's extremely early days so it's important not to get too ahead of ourselves. A good platform to build from though.