The Peacocks make the trip over the Severn Bridge when they travel to Merthyr Town for their latest Southern League assignment tomorrow afternoon (5th February), ko 3.00pm.
A run of seven consecutive League victories has put Town in 4th place in the table and in a strong position to claim at least a play-off place come the end of the season. There is a lot of hard work to do before then though starting with a difficult test on the 3G Merthyr pitch. The Martyrs find themselves in the unusual position of lying in bottom spot, having won just two of their 27 League fixtures this season. At home they have lost 11 of their 14 matches to date, with just the one win recorded against Beaconsfield, while recent form has seen them suffer four defeats on the bounce since Christmas before securing a draw at Walton Casuals last weekend. The Martyrs have strengthened this week with the loan signing of experienced Welsh Premier League defender Luke Cummings whilst former Peacock Lewis Powell has netted three goals in the past six games, so it is sure to prove a tough test in Wales tomorrow.
The Met Coaches Community Stadium has not proved a happy hunting ground for the Peacocks in recent history, having visited eight times to play Merthyr Town or their predecessor Merthyr Tydfil in League and Cup since 2003 and being beaten on each occasion, most recently in February 2020 when despite two goals from Ollie Chamberlain the Peacocks went down by a 4-2 margin. Town’s fine run has come against the backdrop of an injury list that hasn’t seemed to have cleared all season but for tomorrow’s match, Jay Foulston and Jared Lewington return to the squad along with Ross Staley who has recovered from Covid whilst new loan signing Prince Henry is also included. Dan Sullivan however is unavailable. Head of Football Rob Dray remarked:” We were very light on Tuesday against Salisbury so we’re pleased to get a few back from injury which we will need. Merthyr have signed well recently and are a different prospect to a few weeks ago. Add to that it is again on a 3G surface so there can be no complacency whatsoever if we want to secure the right result.”
On The Road – Merthyr Town
Ground: The Met Coaches Community Stadium, Park Terrace, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RF
Ground to Ground: 96.3 miles
Directions: Leave the M4 at Junction 32 and join the A470 to Merthyr Tydfil. After approx. 22 miles at the fourth roundabout take 3rd exit. At next roundabout take first exit and go straight on through two sets of traffic lights. At third set turn left (ground signposted Merthyr Tydfil FC from here). After 50 yards take first right, then first right just after Catholic Church into Park Terrace. The ground is at the end of the road approx. 200 yards on.
Admission: Adults £12, Over 65’s £9, Under 16’s £1