The relentless run of fixtures for Merthyr Town continues as 2nd placed South Shields take the long journey to visit Penydarren Park. The Martyrs find themselves on a good run of form with 4 wins in a row with Paul Michael's side most recently defeating Bedford Town 4-3 on the road with goals from Lewys Twamley, Cawley Cox and a brace from talisman Ricardo Rees. Visitors South Shields sit 2nd in the table just 2 points behind leaders AFC Fylde but 'The Mariners' do have 2 games in hand to potentially climb to the top of the league. Last time out South Shields were held to a draw at home against King's Lynn despite taking an early lead just 2 minutes in.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Manager | Ian Watson

Assistant Manager | Carl Magnay

Ian Watson was appointed as the First Team Manager of South Shields in May 2025 following a disappointing 2024/25 season for 'The Mariners' that saw them finish in 17th place. Watson started his senior coaching journey in 2019 as he captured the role of Assistant Manager of Gateshead FC working under Mike Williamson, where he enjoyed a period of success by winning the Vanarama National League North League in the 2021/22 season which was followed up by reaching the FA Trophy final at the prestigious Wembley Stadium in the 2022/23 season. The successful duo caught the eyes of multiple EFL clubs with their attacking style of football and in October 2023 Ian Watson continued his successful partnership with Mike Williamson as they both were appointed Manager and Assistant Manager of EFL League 2 club MK Dons. When Watson was appointed as Assistant Manager MK Dons found themselves in 16th place, but Watson supported Mike Williamson in taking the 'Dons' to a playoff position by the end of the season which further enhanced his reputation as an attack minded coach. In September 2024 Watson was appointed by Carlisle United but in the early months of 2025 Ian Watson departed and returned to MK Dons as Assistant Manager once again. Then in May 20225 Watson had an offer to step up into the role of First Team Manager of South Shields which he accepted and has had an excellent start to life at 'The Mariners’

Assistant Manager Carl Magnay joined 'The Mariners' following the appointment of First Team Manager Ian Watson. Magnay's playing career started at Chelsea before being loaned out to MK Dons and Northampton. Magnay also moved up North where he played over 200 games for teams such as Gateshead, Hartlepool United, Spennymoor Town and Grimsby Town. In 2015 Magnay started coaching at the Pro Player Football Academy before in 2019 he stepped into the role of Youth Talent Scout in the Northeast of England for Chelsea FC. In 2023 Carl Magnay joined the coaching staff of Gateshead FC under Mike Williamson. Magnay also stayed with Williamson's coaching staff at MK Dons, Carlisle United before returning to Gateshead FC as 1st team manager prior to his appointment as South Shields Assistant Manager.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASONS SO FAR

South Shields started their campaign at home against Marine where they came out victorious with a 1-0 victory. The first away game of the season for 'The Mariners' was against Leamington but yet again Ian Watson's side came out victorious with a 2-0 victory following goals from Cedwyn Scott and Paul Blackett. South Shields continued their winning form for the next 3 games of the season picking up victories against Alfreton Town, Chester FC and Bedford Town FC. However, on matchday 6 in their campaign, Ian Watson's side dropped their first points of the season as drew 2-2 at home against Buxton FC despite going 2-0 down in the opening 26 minutes. Despite dropping points for the first time this season 'The Mariners' swiftly bounced back by defeating Radcliffe 3-0 with goals from Caden Kelly and Cedwyn Scott. The following 5 games saw Ian Watson's side pickup 4 victories and 1 draw all while scoring 10 goals and conceding just 2. In the 3 games prior to the Merthyr Town clash, South Shields have had 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat. The defeat came away at Macclesfield with Danny Elliott scoring the only goal of the night on the brink of half time. The last victory for South Shields was a very impressive one as they travelled to league leaders AFC Fylde and took all 3 points by defeating Fylde 4-2, but their most recent fixture resulted in a home draw against King's Lynn Town which saw them get leap-frogged by now league leaders AFC Fylde. The top goal scorers for 'The Mariners' so far this Enterprise National North season are Cadwyn Scott and Paul Blackett who both have found the back of the net 9 times each.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Jasper Sheik, Kyle Seymour

Defenders | Oli Bainbridge, Dillon Morse, Ethan Mann, Cain Sykes, Robbie Tinkler, Daniel Dodds, James Sloan, Coleby Shepherd

Midfielders | Luke Woolston, Todd Alcock, Caden Kelly, Martin Smith, David Carson, Dan Ward, Ewan McGowan, Will Jenkins

Attackers | Cedwyn Scott, Louis Burns, Sean McGurk, Dan Savage, Dan Blackett, Kyle Crossley

Match Details:

Date | Tuesday 11th November 2025

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 19:45

Stadium |Penydarren Park