Its matchday 33 in the Enterprise National League North season for the Martyrs, and Paul Michael's side host Bedford Town at Penydarren park following a solid away performance which was enough to earn a point on the road at Kidderminster in a 0-0 draw. The visitors Bedford Town currently find themselves sitting in 18th place, just five points above the relegation zone. In their last fixture Bedford hosted Chester FC and took an early lead thanks to a goal from defender Josh Castiglione. However, it wasn't enough for 'The Eagles' as they conceded 2 late goals, breaking the hearts of the Bedford faithful as they were defeated 2-1.

Previous Encounters:

The Martyrs have clashed with 'The Eagles' on numerous occasions, and Merthyr have managed to pick up victories in five of the eleven matchups while drawing three and losing three times. The most recent game between the two sides came during November 2025 as they battled it out at The New Eyrie during matchday sixteen of the campaign. It was a thrilling encounter with goals galore as the Martyrs picked up a 4-3 victory away from home. Ricardo Rees scored a brace while both Will Spiers and Lewys Twamley got on the scoresheet on the day, while it was Tyrone Marsh and Josh Phillips who scored for 'The Eagles'.

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 they 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 result and a lower than expected league table position. Throughout his whole time at the club Bircham managed 24 competitive games and won just 6, losing 15 and drawing 3. Bircham was then appointed manager of Bedford in May 2023 ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Assistant Manager Tony Joyce was originally a player at the eagles in the 1990s but after his playing days were over, he took up multiple 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 been a key asset in helping guide the eagles to back-to-back promotions, taking the side from step 4 to step 2.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT- SEASON SO FAR:

Following the defeat to Merthyr in November, Lee Bircham’s side instantly bounced back as they defeated Buxton FC 3-0 just 3 days later thanks to a goal from Sam Brown and a brace from Tyrone Marsh. However, after the excellent home victory against Buxton, 'The Eagles' went on a poor run of form that saw them lose four times while picking up just 3 points in 7 games. Bedford managed to put this awful run of form to bed as they picked up a home 4-2 victory against King's Lynn Town in a six-goal thriller. The home side found themselves 2-1 down in the 62nd minute of the game, but goals from Jago Godden, Carl Mensah and Tyrone Marsh were enough to comeback and pick up the three points. Following the impressive victory, Bedford then were handed two consecutive defeats in home fixtures against Southport FC and promotion hopefuls AFC Fylde. In the five games prior to the fixture at Penydarren Park, Bedford have managed to win just one game which came against Alfreton Town away from home in a narrow 2-1 victory. 'The Eagles' have failed to pick up a victory since, in a run that has seen them draw 0-0 with Kidderminster and 2-2 with Curzon Ashton, while losing 2-1 to Macclesfield and most recently 2-1 against Chester FC. The top goal scorer for Bedford Town so far this season is Tyrone Marsh who has bagged himself an impressive 21 goals so far this season, and he is the league's second top goal scorer only behind Ricardo Rees' tally of 25 league goals.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Rohan Luthra, Charlie Patmore, Luke Mewitt, Oliver Steinke

Defenders | Josh Tomlinson, Greg Taylor, Carl Mensah, Ryan Doherty, Sam Brown, Josh Castiglione, Joe Payne, Ryan Cole, Greg Sandiford, Josh Dawodu

Midfielders | Declan Phillips, Harrison Murphy, Ryan Blackman, Junior Gyamfi, George Moncur, Christopher Paul, Scott Thomas, Emmanuel Maja, Bruno Andrade, Ellis Brown, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown, Jevani Brown

Attackers | Tyrone Marsh, Zanda Siziba, Claudio Ofosu, Joseph Ajose, Tarrelle Whittaker, Callum Ebanks

Match Details:

Date | Saturday 14th February 2026

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 15:00

Stadium | Penydarren Park