17h January 2026
National League North - Matchday 27
Attendance 1,339

Merthyr Town 2 vs Peterborough Sports 0

Twamley 70’, 81’

A sublime Lewys Twamley opener helped Merthyr to a 13th win in their last 15 league fixtures as they overcame a physical and spirited Peterborough Sports at Penydarren Park.

A slightly shuffled XI following the great win at Worksop last week, with Alex John slotting into the middle for Lee Lucas and Calum Ryan-Phillips returning at CB, with Matty Harris moving to the bench.

It was a cagey opening to start the game despite both sides making early entries into the box, with Jarvis putting a ball across the face of goal and Oakley finding Jones who couldn’t make decent contact with his header. However, it was the Martyrs who had the first real chance in the 10th minute, with Cox being played into acres of space on the left. Stepping inside the retreating Willis, he forced Crook into a good save to his left, with Twamley picking up the rebound and laying off to the advancing Handley, whose shot flashed past Crook’s right post.

Peterborough were keen to counter attack and were getting some success down the flanks through Oakley and Wood. The Turbines were physical in the challenge and pressing at any opportunity which meant the Martyrs were not as accurate with the final pass as they would have wanted to be.

Despite this, it felt like it would be the home side that was going to break the deadlock as Jarvis continued to cause the defence problems chasing balls over the top. However, Jones was unlucky not to put Peterborough ahead after being put through on goal by Oakley, only for Cogman to rescue with a great save with his left foot.

The Martyrs were content to be patient and look for an opening against a Turbine’s team that put 10 men behind the ball and were looking to frustrate the home side by allowing very little space between the midfield and defence. The midfield of J Evans, K Evans and John continued to probe but the final pass was unfortunately not coming off due to the condensed defensive formation.

Twamley had a penalty appeal waved away by the man in the middle after Davies stepped across him in the area, before Cadogan forced a last ditch block from Ryan-Phillips. On the stroke of half time Oakley was able to poke the ball around Ryan-Phillips and was set clear down the right wing, only for Ryan-Phillips to redeem fantastically to get back and put pressure on the speedy winger, who then put his shot past Cogman’s left post.

Half time 0 - 0.

A solid 45 minutes of football just lacking the final product.

Phil Brown certainly got his point across at the break as the Turbine’s came out and took it to the hosts from the off. Jones was unable to keep his shot down before Wood put in another dangerous cross which beat both Williams and Ryan-Phillips, but Jones was unable to get on the end of it. At this time, the Martyrs were pinned in their own half and unable to clear the danger as Peterborough pushed for the opener, with the majority of their success coming through Cadogan on the left.

It was at this point that the momentum started to swing towards the Martyrs with Cox, Jarvis and Twamley all going close but unable to beat Crook. Merthyr were now playing with some real urgency and starting to find space in the middle of the park, which was allowing the midfield trio to pick their pass in behind the centre backs. The introduction of Lucas and Xavier-Jones almost instantly paid off, with Xavier-Jones playing in Handley on the right who shot norrowly wide of the post.

The deadlock was finally broken on 71 minutes with Smerdon at his marauding best down the left hand flank. He was able to square the ball across to Jarvis, whose neat stepover allowed Twamley to wait for Whitehouse to challenge, drag the ball back before unleashing a screamer from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner. What a goal. Merthyr 1 - 0.

Peterborough were reduced to 10 men on 76 minutes after Jones made a rash challenge from behind on Lucas as he was clearing his lines. No hesitation from the referee as he produced an instant red which now made the visitors day even tougher.

Xavier-Jones was continuing to impress and he was instrumental for the Martyrs second. A long ball was played to him on the left and instead of controlling it, he deftly flicked the ball with his head behind the centrebacks high line to the delight of the advancing Twamley. Crook rushed out but Twamley sauntered around him and slotted into an empty net. The Turbines backline were baffed by this unexpected touch from Xavier-Jones - Peterborough were now in real trouble. Merthyr 2-0.

Williams could have sealed the win but his shot was wide before Mclintock forced Cogman to tip onto the bar late on but it was the home side who saw out the game for the three points and a clean sheet. They say the sign of a very good side is grinding out results when not at your best!

That is now the league double over Peterborough - the train keeps on rollin’!!!!!

Gavin Burns - www.onthemartys.com