After a disappointing defeat away at Hereford, the Martyrs have the chance to bounce back as playoff contenders Macclesfield visit Penydarren Park for matchday 43 of the Enterprise National League North season. Macclesfield currently sit in 4th place in the National League North table, and their last fixture saw them host Chester FC to complete an action-packed Easter weekend, but John Rooney's side were defeated 2-0.

Previous Encounters

Merthyr Town have clashed with Macclesfield on one previous occasion, which was a memorable one for the Martyrs. Macclesfield took the lead shortly after half-time following a goal from Danny Elliott in the 54th minute. However, the Martyrs turned the deficit around and managed to claim a 3-1 win after a superb second-half hat-trick from substitute Tom Handley.

Both clubs’ former entities (Merthyr Tydfil & Macclesfield Town) last faced each other at Penydarren Park on Saturday 18th December 1993 in the GM Vauxhall Conference. The Martyrs were 2-1 winners that day with goals from Matthew Holtam and Mark Williams, and were under the management of former Welsh International, Robbie James.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Owner: Robert Smethurst

Manager: John Rooney

Assistant Manager: Francis Jeffers

John Rooney took the role of first-team manager following the departure of Robbie Savage, who left the Silkmen after a title-winning campaign to take on a new challenge at Forest Green Rovers in the National League. John Rooney started and ended his professional playing career at Macclesfield. He rejoined the Silkmen in the summer of 2023 with the goal of guiding Macclesfield to the National League North. He achieved his goal last season, winning promotion from the Northern Premier League as champions before announcing his retirement as a player to take over as manager for the club's debut season in the National League North.

Assistant manager Francis Jeffers had an illustrious playing career spanning over 15 years. Following his retirement from playing, he took the step into coaching, first in a voluntary role at Everton before joining as the club's U23S coach alongside David Unsworth. Francis Jeffers then headed to Ipswich Town to work within the backroom staff under Paul Cook before leaving in late 2021. Soon after, he would reunite with David Unsworth at Oldham Athletic, then join the Silkmen ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

Robert Smethurst bought and saved Macclesfield FC in October 2020 following the club's liquidation due to unpaid debts. His purchase marked the beginning of the club's revival alongside a successful season in the Northwest Counties Football League that year.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR

Macclesfield have had an extremely successful first season in the Enterprise National League North, with John Rooney's side sitting in 4th place prior to making the trip to South Wales. Since being defeated by the Martyrs in September, Macclesfield have significantly climbed up the league table, whilst also having a memorable FA Cup run which saw them defeat current holders Crystal Palace before narrowly getting knocked out of the competition in the fourth round by Premier League side Brentford. In the league, John Rooney's side have won 19 games since last locking horns with the Martyrs, and their most notable victories have come in the form of a 5-1 win against Kidderminster, a 4-0 win against King's Lynn Town and a narrow 1-0 win against title challengers South Shields. In their previous 5 games before travelling to Penydarren Park, Macclesfield have managed to win 4 times against Hereford, Alfreton, Hereford again, and Buxton before their most recent match, which resulted in a 2-0 home defeat against Chester FC. The top goal scorers for Macclesfield this season have been D'Mani Mellor, Paul Dawson and Danny Elliott, who have all scored 11 goals each.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Rogan Ravenhill, Max Dearnley

Defenders | Rollin Menayese, Sam Heathcote, Luis Lacey, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Brandon Lee, Kacper Pasiek, Luke Matheson, Lewis Fensome

Midfielders | Paul Dawson, Carlos Dos Santos, Cameron Bradbury-Allen, Regan Griffiths, Danny Whitehead, Harry McHugh, James Edmondson, Justin Johnson, Luke Duffy, Josh Kay, Elliot Osborne, Michael Stone

Attackers | Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, Dontai Gabidon, James Gale, Danny Elliott, Tom Clare, Anjola Popoola, Justin Johnson.

Match Details:

Date | Saturday 11th April 2026

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 15:00

Stadium | Penydarren Park