11th November 2025
National League North - Matchday 17
Attendance 1,103

Merthyr Town 3 Vs South Shields 1

A Cole Jarvis thunderbolt in the 98th minute helped the Martyrs secure all 3 points as they brushed aside high flying South Shields to record their fifth league win on the bounce, and move up to third in the National League North.

It was a grim day in the Valleys but that didn’t stop over 1,100 hardly souls braving the weather at Penydarren Park to cheer on a Merthyr side who are exceeding expectations (and some more!). One change to the win at Bedford, with Handley slotting into RB for Will Spiers who was back at Cardiff playing, scoring and winning against Arsenal U21s in the Vertu Trophy.

Prior to kick off, Matty Harris was presented with a shirt to mark his record 450th appearance, before a minute's silence was held to commemorate Remembrance Day.

It was a good start from both sides, with South Shields looking very comfortable on the ball and happy to wait for an opening, whereas Merthyr were not pressing and content to keep their shape, but counter attacking as soon as they won the ball back. The old boxing saying “styles make fights” came to mind and it certainly summed up the match to a tee.

As the two sides were finding each other out, it was Livermore who decided enough was enough and put in a crunching tackle on Dodds to fire up the home crowd. Merthyr were making success down the right hand side, with Handley playing a number of balls over the top to Cox to chase which was causing Mann issues.

South Shields recorded their first shot on target after 20 minutes with the Jenkins laying off to Blackett, whose shot from distance didn’t trouble Cogman. Blackett’s press was causing a number of issues for Cogman and the backline which was resulting in a few hairy moments when playing out from the back. Merthyr’s defensive composure was starting to pay off, with Livermore and Jarvis picking off a number of passes in the middle of the park to set the home side on the counter.

The impressive Livermore produced a slick turn in midfield to play in the advancing Twamley on the left, who lost his marker in Kelly. Watson (making his debut) rushed out to meet Twamley but was lobbed from the edge of the area. Twamley’s shot hit the right post, went across the line, hit the left post and came out to Cox who was following in for an open goal. An unbelievable goal and the home side were unlucky not to make it 2 - 0 minutes later when Rees was able to use his pace to get around Tinkler, but was unable to finish.

Cox was continuing to cause issues down the right and no surprise that the second goal started from there. Handley lofted a ball to Cox who outmuscled Mann and was able to put in a looping crosss to Rees on the edge of the box. A touch and skip inside was enough to get the defender to make a clumsy challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped the league’s top scorer, who happily dispatched it down the middle to make it 2 - 0 with his 18th of the season. Was there any other outcome!?

The Mariners continued to press and play slick football, probing Merthyr all over the pitch to find an opening. That came just before the break when they were able to win the ball back with Scott laying it off to Woolston on the left who drilled in a low shot from 25 yards to Cogman's right. A great goal and it needed to be to breach the defence.

A great first half of football with two teams who wanted to play football and who knew what the second half would bring.

It was the Martyrs who were unlucky not to make it three straight after the break, with Watson denying Rees again. A few minutes later it was Cogman denying a great strike from Ward, with Merthyr failing to clear their lines allowing Ward to step inside Handley and unleash a shot destined for the top corner. The home side were straight down the other end with Cox squaring the ball to Rees, who was unable to get his shot on target. A frantic 10 minutes to start the second half.

South Shields were gifted an opportunity of an equaliser when Livermore played a loose pass on the edge of the box which was picked up by Scott who was given a 1 on 1 with Cogman. Somehow Cogman saved low to his left, but a huge let off for the home side. Merthyr continued to put their bodies on the line, diving to block point blank shots and the momentum was certainly with the Mariners, who were enjoying the majority of possession but struggling to break down a disciplined Martyrs side. Blackett went close again but was unable to get a solid contact with his header which summed up the game for South Shields.

Seven minutes of injury time were added (which felt like forever) but the home side continued to keep their shape. South Shields were flooding forward to look for an equaliser but were caught out in the final minute when trying to play from the back. Great pressing by Evans on Mann allowed the ball to fall to Lucas, who laid it off to Jarvis on the edge of the box. Jarvis let it settle before unleashing a rocket into the top corner, before wheeling off and giving a knee slide that Drogba would be proud of. Game Over.

A fantastic result for Merthyr beating a team who had only conceded nine goals up until this match, are full time and have been flying this season.That second half defensive performance was something else. Over the past 5 games that is 16 goals scored, 7 conceded and 5 wins in a row. The United Strand must be crying into his pint.

Gavin Burns