| Merthyr Town 1 – 0 Kings Lynn Town K.Evans 21′ |
A superb solo Kieran Evans goal was enough for Merthyr to secure three points in a cagey affair against Kings Lynn, alongside more or less guaranteeing their safety in National League North for next season.
On a bitterly cold day, the talk on the terraces was how Merthyr would set up following Rees’ move to Forest Green Rovers. A changed front three of Jarvis up top, with Smalley slotting into the left, Jay Williams moving into the backline for Matty Harris and Smerdon and Handley returning to their familiar left and right back slots respectively.
It was a good start from the Martyrs, whose press was causing issues for the visitors early on, who continually gave up possession which was welcomed by the home side. Despite the good work, Merthyr were unable to find the final pass and the first shot on target came from the Linnets, with Lambert able to turn with his back to goal but unable to get any real power on his shot from the edge of the area.
With Merthyr recycling the ball from the back, both Ryan-Phillips and Williams were consistently given acres of space by the opposition midfield to bring the ball forward and pick out their pass. Despite this early pressure, it took a wonder goal to break the deadlock on 21 minutes.
Kieran Evans picked up the ball wide on the right, before passing into Jack Evans whilst under pressure. Receiving the ball whilst moving back into his own half, he drove towards the box whilst skipping past two more challenges. As he neared the edge of the box, he stepped inside Wilson, evaded the sliding challenge from Troso and slotted past the stranded Jones in goal. An absolutely filthy goal, and no matter what I write it will not do it justice. Merthyr 1 – 0.
Jones continued to look nervous in goal, with a number of wayward clearances allowing the Martyrs to keep the pressure on the away side. Clunan was unable to beat Cogman with his volley before Wilson had the best chance of the half for Kings Lynn. Jarvis was unable to control the ball into his feet, with Wilson able to nick the ball and bear down on goal, but couldn’t beat Cogman. Merthyr were straight down the other end within seconds but Jarvis was unable to find a Martyr from the right hand side of the box.
Twamley went close before the break, but couldn’t get proper contact with the ball whilst Smerdon skimmed the top of the crossbar with a volley from a corner. The majority of Kings Lynn attacks were coming through the right hand side with Crane, but Merthyr were able to nullify the threat.
A poor 45 minutes from the away side and the Martyrs would have been disappointed to not have been at least 2 / 3 goals ahead.
Second Half
It was a quiet start to the second half as both sides were trying to find their way back into the match. The Linnets early pressure meant the Martyrs were unable to clear their lines, so defensive shape was the name of the game. Despite being under pressure, Merthyr should have doubled their lead on 60 minutes. Jarvis was able to spin out of his own half and play in Twamley on the right, who cut back inside onto his left and beat Jones with his shot, only for Wilson to clear the ball with his head off the line, denying a certain goal.
Moments later Cogman produced a stunning save, tipping Clunan’s whipped freekick onto his left post, a moment of sheer brilliance. The home side continued their defensive work whilst under continued pressure whilst looking to break on the counter. Twamley could (and probably should) have scored after great hold up play from Jarvis again and it started to feel like one of those games.
We’ve come off the back of a game where we conceded late in that type of pressure, so I was absolutely delighted to see us get over the line and see it out
Paul Michael (Manager)
The introduction of Cawley Cox meant the Kings Lynn backline had something else to think about and he went close after catching out the backline following a direct ball from Cogman, but was unable to get around the outrushing Jones. A flurry of chances fell to Twamley and Jarvis to no avail but it was the continued pressure through Crane that was starting to be the difference.
The final 10 minutes of the match seemed to consist of high balls into the Merthyr box, with all hands to the pump to ensure the backline was not breached. Whilst some fans may have started having flashbacks to the late equaliser on Tuesday night, it was not to be as the Martyrs secured the three points and a clean sheet.
A slog of a second half but the boys certainly dug deep following Tuesday’s match against Hereford. A hard fought three points which is a fantastic way to start 2026, with all eyes now switching to next week’s trip to Worksop.
My man of the match – Kieran Evans. His goal alone was worth the entrance fee, but his range of passing (particularly in the first half) was top draw.
Gavin Burns
