1st November 2025
National League North - Matchday 14
Attendance 1,303

Merthyr Town 3 Vs Darlington 1

Matty Harris capped his record 450th appearance in Merthyr colours with a goal as the Martyrs swept aside a dogged 10 men Darlington to make it back to back wins in the National League North.

Prior to the game Ricardo Rees was presented with a framed shirt to celebrate his 100 goals for the club, Cawley Cox and Cole Jarvis were awarded their player of the month awards for September and October respectively, followed by a minute's silence in memory of former Merthyr manager Colin Addison who managed the Martyrs across two spells from 1996 - 1998.

Paul Michael made one change from last week's victory at Chorley, with a welcome return to the starting lineup for Aneurin Livermore with Alex John missing and Lee Lucas also coming back into the matchday squad.

As the heavens opened, the home side made their usual strong start and were testing the visitor's high back line with a number of balls in behind to Cox and Rees. It was Merthyr with the first chance of the game when Cox tested Ombang from distance with a low shot to his bottom right. Both teams were settling into the game until the first flashpoint of the match on 19 minutes. A strong but fair 50/50 challenge on the right between Livermore and Barton allowed the ball to spill back towards Evans. Barton (obviously fired up from the previous challenge) went in hard, studs up over the top of the ball straight into Evans. An understandably furious reaction from the Merthyr players followed and the referee gave Barton his marching orders.

Merthyr almost broke the deadlock shortly after, with Rees and Livermore playing a slick one-two around the retreating Howell, which allowed Rees to bend his shot from the outside of the area, which went inches past Ombang’s post. This set the tone for the next 15 minutes, with the home side dominating possession but unable to find the final ball.

Darlington were under significant pressure and their defence was breached on 32 minutes. Twamley put in an outswinging corner from the left, which was met at the front post by none other than the man of the hour, Matty Harris, who glanced his header down to Ombang’s bottom right. What a way to cap your 450th appearance and the Penydarren Park faithful proudly let him know he’s “one of our own”.

It took just a minute to double the lead, with Rees finding Cox just inside the box with his back to goal. He was able to touch the ball with his left to give himself a yard of space away from Lees and unleash a shot with his right whilst on the turn, which nestled past the diving Ombang. A fantastic goal and a blow for the visitors who were still reeling from Harris’ goal. Merthyr continued to press down the left hand side with the majority of success coming through Smerdon. The half time whistle went and Merthyr were cruising.

Darlington started the second half well, with their high press putting significant pressure onto the home side's midfield and defence. Maskell was given a free header after a dangerous cross from Howells but was unable to put it on target. Mclaughlin tested Cogman shortly after from distance, with the away side looking like a different team to who had finished the first half. A corner by Allan was met by Platt whose header was cleared off the line by Spiers. A let off for the Martyrs.

Despite Darlington’s purple patch, Cox was close to getting his second of the day, after chasing down a long ball from Harris and putting Hedley under pressure. His header to Ombang was short which allowed Cox to attempt to lob the rushing keeper, but was unable to get it on target.

The visitors made a number of changes and one of these in Charlie Lennon made an immediate impact from the left wing. He picked up the ball and was able to take on Spiers and deliver a fantastic ball onto the head of the advancing Maskell, who powered it past Cogman. From this point onwards Merthyr were second best all over the pitch and it certainly felt like an equaliser was coming, particularly whenever Lennon was on the ball. Harris came to the rescue with a last ditch block to deny Howells, followed by a fizzing half volley that just went past the crossbar.

The game was put to bed when Smerdon met Twamley’s inswinging corner, with his header flying past the diving Ombang. This was a sucker punch to Darlington and their sustained pressure, but a result that nobody could complain about.

A great win for the Martyrs and another boost ahead of a trip to the SEAH Stadium on Tuesday, as they take on AFC Telford.


Gavin Burns