Its matchday 16 in Merthyr Town's Enterprise National League North campaign and Paul Michael's side travel to Bedford Town. Last time out the Martyrs picked up a sensational 4-2 away victory at Telford United after Ricardo Rees scored 4 to take his goal total for the season so far up to 15. Hosts Bedford Town find themselves in 14th place after picking up 19 points from their opening 15 games of the season. In their last fixture Bedford were defeated 2-1 away from home at Kidderminster Harriers.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Manager | Lee Bircham

Assistant Manager | Tony Joyce

Manager Lee Bircham joined Bedford in May 2023 following their relegation from the Southern Premier Division Central (Step 3). However, Bircham has guided the 'Eagles' to back-to-back promotion to take his side from step 4 to step 2 after got promoted from step 3 last season as champions. Prior to joining Bedford Town Lee Bircham has managed multiple non-league clubs such as Bovington, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Leighton Town. His most recent club before joining the eagles was Leighton FC and Lee guided them to the Beds Senior cup where they beat Bedford in the final. Also, in the 2022/23 season Lee Bircham clinched the double as Leighton became champions of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division to partner their Senior Cup success. Prior to joining Leighton Town Lee Bircham was at the helm of national South side Hemel Hempstead. In his first season at the club his side sat 10th in the league before the season was abruptly brought to a stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not long after football was given the green light to resume Lee Bircham was sacked due to a poor league results and league table position. Throughout his whole time at the club Bircham managed 24 competitive games and won just 6, losing 15 and drawing 3.

Assistant Manager Tony Joyce was originally a player at the eagles in the 1990s but after his playing days were over, he took up roles in management. Joyce had management spells at Aylesbury and Kempton Rovers before he joined Lee Bircham at Leighton Town. During his time at Leighton Town, he helped assist Lee Bircham in taking their side to a domestic double by winning the league and the Senior Cup. In the summer of 2023 Lee Bircham was appointed as manager of Bedford Town and Joyce followed to once again assist Lee Bircham. During his time at Bedford so far Joyce has helped guide the eagles to back-to-back promotion, taking the side, from step 4 to step 2.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR

The eagles started their 25/26 campaign at home to Alfreton where the points were shared after a 2-2 draw with Tyrone Marsh scoring a last-minute equaliser to get himself a brace while salvaging a point for the eagles. Their first away game of the season saw them travel to Southport FC. However, the eagles were defeated 3-1 with Tyrone Marsh scoring the only goal for Lee Bircham's side. On matchday 3 of the season Bedford finally picked up their first victory of the season as they defeated Telford United 3-1 after another brace from Tyrone Marsh and an early goal from Sam Brown. Following their first victory of the season, the eagles then went on a miserable run of 6 games without a victory picking up just 2 points from a possible 18. It was October 4th where Bedford finally stopped their rotten run after defeating Worksop Town 2-0 away from home with goals from Tyrone Marsh and Edward Gyamfi. This victory encouraged the eagles and started an impressive run by picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in the next 4 games beating Oxford City, Chester FC and Oxford City again. However, in their last fixture prior to the Merthyr clash the eagles travelled to Kidderminster Harriers but lost 2-1 despite taking an early lead. The talisman for Bedford Town so far this season is Tyrone Marsh who has scored 11 goals so far this season. His tally puts him as the 2nd top goal scorer in the National League North just behind our very own Ricardo Rees who has 15 for the season.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Joe Wright, Dan Wilks, Luke Mewitt, Oliver Steinke

Defender | Callum Tripp, Cole Kpekawa, Greg Taylor, Josh Tomlinson, Lewis Green, Carl Mensah, Ryan Doherty, Sam Brown, Ben Isaacson, Greg Sandiford, Rob Howard, Josh Dawodu

Midfielder | Harrison Murphy, Ryan Blackman, Decland Phillips, Junior Gyamfi, Lewis Hilliard, Christopher Paul, Scott Thomas, Ellis Brown, Bruno Andrade, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown, Lewis Coyle

Attackers | Tyrone Marsh, Claudio Ofosu, Josheph Ajose, Tarrelle Whittaker, Shuan Jeffers, Leon Lobjoit, Josh Phillips, John Shamalo, Eddie Panter

Match Details:

Date | Saturday 8th November 2025

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 15.00

Stadium | The New Eyrie