Merthyr Town 2 – 0 Hednesford: Maddox Magic steals the show

Merthyr Town 2 – 0 Hednesford Town

Maddox 3′, 45′

Dial 3 for 3 points was the shout as Merthyr Town opened their 2026/27 account with a win against a Hednesford side that has been heavily tipped online to challenge for promotion.

The Martyrs came into this game with high hopes after missing out on the playoffs by the skin of their teeth last season, as nearly 1800 expectant fans poured into Penydarren Park looking to take another full time scalp.

It took all of 3 minutes for the Martyrs to open the scoring after Maddox picked up a Foulston pass before slotting in Pearson who was in acres of space. Pearson drove towards the edge of the area before cutting across to Maddox, who coolly slotted past Hornby. A great start. Merthyr Town 1 – 0 Hednesford.

Pearson was continually involved on the left and caused the Pitmen defence all kinds of problems, particularly Langston. Despite the odd long ball from the visitors, it was all Merthyr as they probed for another. Spiers had a dangerous cross put behind just as Maddox was lurking at the back post, before Kieran Evans’ shot flashed past the left hand post following great hold up play from Simpson.

At this point Hednesford were all over the shop and were chasing shadows as Merthyr continued their dominance, particularly in the middle of the park where the transition from the back was at times ‘easy’. Livermore struck from distance but was unable to keep it down before a last ditch challenge from Hayden denied Simpson.

The first real chance for the visitors came just after the half hour mark, after Cirino whipped in a great corner to Jarvis who was free at the back post, but he was unable to get any real contact with his header. Moments later the Pitmen had a good penalty shout waved away, after Cooke latched on to a lofted ball in the box and was tackled by Livermore, before going down. From the other end of the ground it looked like a penalty to me, but luckily for us it was waved away.

An early change due to a hamstring niggle meant the impressive Pearson was replaced by Morgan Wigley – a blow and one we hope isn’t too bad. Despite the change, it was back to business as Merthyr Town continued to dominate the first half. Simpson was unlucky not to score after Kieran Evans dropped a ball in behind Maher, but he was unable to beat Hornby in a 1 on 1 before the second goal came just before the break.

Jay Williams was given loads of time on the ball before picking out the run of Maddox behind the defensive line. Despite the pressure of Maher, he battled to be first to the ball, nod it in front of him and deftly lobbed the advancing Hornby into the bottom corner. An unbelievable goal and his second of the day. Merthyr Town 2 – 0 Hednesford.

A superb half of football from the Martyrs who looked dangerous going forward and composed at the back – could have easily been more than 2 – 0. No doubt Hednesford would need to regroup and look to plug the gaps in the middle of the park. The question on everyone’s mind – could we see out the second half after last season?

As expected, the visitors came out firing on all cylinders and looked to put early pressure onto the Merthyr defence. Gorman was making himself busy in the middle, slotting in Mottley-Henry and Abimbola in quick succession but Cogman wasn’t tested. Hayden thought he had scored after a scramble in the box, but Cogman was there to deny a certain goal.

Despite the 10 minutes of pressure, the Martyrs then settled back into possession which was met with Ole’s by the crowd – at times it looked like a training session. A Livermore freekick was tipped over before the Jack Evans, Kieran Evan and Spiers combo linked up again and had the defence scrambling to clear their lines. 

The final 15 minutes was mostly the visitors as they continued to look for the long diagonal ball, but Merthyr looked like a completely different team to last year. Composed at the back and dealt with the majority of the balls with ease. Fitzmartin had his shot pushed wide by Cogman late in the game but it was the Martyrs who celebrated a convincing opening day win.

A superb performance from the lads – whilst the link up play was great to watch, the most pleasing thing for me was how composed we were at the back, particularly when under a bit of pressure in the second half. And being able to bring players on like Watts, Humphries and Harris is a luxury we badly missed last season.

Man of the Match –  It has to be Maddox who easily had his best game in a Merthyr shirt, what a signing he is proving to be. Time and time again he drifted forward as Kane dropped in and the Hednesford centre backs didn’t know what to do.

What a start to the season!

Up the Town.

Gavin Burns