Merthyr Town return to league action this weekend as Paul Michael's side host Alfreton Town who currently sit in 19th place, just one point above the relegation zone. Last time our Merthyr Town were victims to a cup upset at Penydarren Park as Hanwell Town defeated the Martyrs 3-2 in the FA Trophy Second Round. However, in Alfreton's last match they progressed through to the third round of the FA Trophy following a 2-1 victory over Gainsborough Trinity after a brace from loanee forward Mark Beck. 'The Reds' have had a disappointing league campaign so far as they find themselves sitting just outside the drop zone after only claiming 4 league victories in their 17 games this season.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Manager | Jake Buxton

Manager Jake Buxton was appointed as manager in October 2025 following a disappointing start to the 2025/26 campaign for 'The Reds'. His playing career started at Mansfield Town in 2002, and Buxton stayed there for 6 years making 151 appearances for the side in which he scored 5 goals. During his 6-year spell at Mansfield Town he departed the club and headed to Alfreton Town on a short-term loan in 2003 where he played 5 games for 'The Reds'. At the end of the 2007/2008 season Mansfield Town were relegated to the Conference Division (National League) and it was then that Buxton made the decision to finally depart Mansfield and sign for Burton Albion in August of 2008. Jake Buxton only spent one season at the club but in that time, he played a crucial role in the team as he helped guide the 'Brewers' to promotion from the Conference National (National League). During the title winning season, Buxton won the club's annual player of the year award and attracted lots of interest from football league club. After an impressive season with Burton Albion Jake Buxton earned himself a one-year contract with championship side Derby County who at the time were managed by Nigel Clough. Buxton had a long and successful time at Derby County as he played there between the years if 2009 and 2016, making 139 appearances and scoring 11 goals for 'The Rams'. Following a long spell at Derby County, in July 2016 Jake Buxton signed for recently promoted side Wigan Athletic on a 3-year contract. Despite making 39 appearances for Wigan in his opening season with the club, Buxton mutually decided to terminate his contract to make the move back to Nottinghamshire. Just one week after departing Wigan, Jake Buxton re-signed for Burton Albion where he spent the last 3 years of his playing career up until 2020. In May 2020, Jake Buxton was appointed as player-manager f Burton Albion following the resignation of previous manager Nigel Clough. Despite this in December 2020, Buxton was sacked after a poor run of form which saw the 'Brewers' pick up 2 wins in just 21 league games. After leaving Burton Albion, Jake Buxton started work in the Derby County Academy in the role of Professional Development Phase Coach. In October 2022, Buxton took the step up and became the clubs lead under-18s coach and ahead pf the 2023/24 season, Buxton was appointed as Derby County's lead under-21s coach. Then in February 2025, Jake Buxton worked as an assistant head coach to assist caretaker Manager Matt Hamshaw. After a short spell as assistant head coach, Jake Buxton was assigned the role of Senior Transition Coach for Derby County's first team, a role where he would support players make the transition from academy football to first-team football. Then in October 2025, just 4 months after taking he role at Derby County, Jake Buxton was appointed as first team manager of Alfreton Town with the task of steering the club away from the relegation zone in the Enterprise National League North.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR

Alfreton Town began their 2025/26 campaign away at newly promoted side Bedford Town. After goals from Siyabonga Ligendza and Bryan Fewster, 'The Reds' looked destined to take all 3 points on the opening day of the season however, Bedford Town's Tyrone Marsh scored a last gasp equalizer and so the points were shared. Alfreton Town struggled to bounce back from this heartbreak as the next two games saw them lose 3-0 and 2-0 against Darlington and South Shields. However, in matchday 4 of the Enterprise National League season 'The Reds' travelled to Macclesfield and despite going 1-0 down Alfreton managed to claim a pint following an equalizer from defender Adam Lund. Alfreton Town used the momentum from this positive away point to help them claim their first victory of the season just 2 days later with a 2-0 home win against Marine. Despite picking up their first win of the season, Alfreton Town failed to build on the strong performance as the next 4 games saw 'The Reds' lose 3 and draw 1 which includes a shock 3-0 cup exit against Spalding United and a 5-0 humiliation away at Oxford City. Following the FA Cup defeat, 'The Reds' looked to have turned a corner after picking up a positive 1-0 home win against a strong Telford United side but the next 5 league games saw Alfreton claim just 2 points and suffer some humbling defeats such as a 6-0 loss at Buxton. In the last 3 league games prior to the Merthyr Town fixture, Jake Buxton's side have picked up 2 very positive results as they defeated Chorley 1-0 away from home and they also picked up the 3 points at home against 6th placed Spennymoor Town. The top goal scorer for Alfreton Town so far, this National League North season is midfielder, Billy Fewster who has bagged himself 4 goals so far in the opening 17 games of the season.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Harry Burgoyne

Defenders | Josh Clackstone, Nathan Newall, Jack Leckie, Max Hunt, Harry Perrit, Mert Apaat

Midfielders | Adam Lund, George Cantrill, Ross Derham

Forwards | Billy Fewster, Gerry Mcdonagh, Lewis Salmon, Siya Ligendza, Joe Dodoo

MATCH DETAILS

Date | Saturday 22nd November 2025

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 15:00

Stadium | Penydarren Park