Merthyr Town FC v Truro City

19th September 2026
FA Cup - Qualifying Round 2
Penydarren Park

Merthyr Town 1 - 1 Truro City

Merthyr conceded an equaliser deep into injury time, securing Truro an FA Cup replay following Elis Watts’ late goal which had the Martyrs agonisingly close to being in the hat for the third round qualifying.

It was a competitive first 15 minutes between the sides, as they were both keen to get the ball down as often as possible to play. The midfield battle was the most interesting, as Jack Evans, Kieran Evans and Maddox were continually being pressed by Dean, Strarkie and Tweedy - with the Tinners coming out on top early on.

The wind was playing an early factor as the Martyrs went on the hunt for the opening goal, with Pearson making Stone produce a great low save after his sweetly struck half volley, before Wigley put his shot over from the resulting corner. Greenslade had a glorious chance for the visitors following Humphreys misplaced header back to Cogman, which allowed the Truro striker time to set himself, but fluffed his lines and put it wide. A let off for the home side.

Truro were looking to get the ball into the box at any opportunity, particularly from some of the longest throw-ins I have ever seen by Oxlade-Chamberlain (hitting the back post) - these were causing numerous problems as the Tinners were trying to use their height to their advantage.

The first flashpoint came on 39 minutes as Watts was dragged down from a challenge near the dugouts. After a yellow card was shown, the ref then showed two red cards to the benches, with Craig Reddy and the Truro assistant manager Stewart Yetton heading down the tunnel. It was from this point the officiating for both sides seemed to gradually decline.

In what became a bit of a boxing match, neither side could break down the other and Truro were coming out on top in the battle for possession and confidently trying to move the Martyrs around the park. Wigley was becoming increasingly isolated up top, and any long ball was easy cleared by the towering Harrison. Watts fizzed a ball across the face of goal towards the end of the half but all in all a half without any real threat.

Merthyr picked up the tempo at the start of the second half, with Pearson’s shot being deflected with a last gasp block before Humphreys glancing header went just wide of Stone’s left post from a Kieran Evans corner. Cogman was starting to be increasingly tested and produced a stunning save from Dean’s header before having to punch a number of deliveries from out wide.

The introduction of Kane Simpson had changed the dynamic of the game and gave a focal point up top, and it was Kane who had a significant hand in the opening goal. He was played in on the left, allowing the ball to run through before shooting at Stone. The shot was parried out to the incoming Elis Watts who smashed home and wheeled away in celebration. Was it deserved over the course of the game? Probably not, but who am I to complain? Merthyr 1 - 0 Truro.

The amount of decisions from the man in the middle were now borderline guess work for both sides - some were fouls, some were advantage and some he just outright ignored which frustrated players and fans alike. Lee Lucas was slotted in by Watts and subsequently brought down in the box by Dean. The linesman was about 10 yards away with a clear view and the ref not much further behind. No penalty was given (!) so if that's the case, it is a yellow for simulation. But low and behold the referee allowed play to continue much to the dismay of everyone within Penydarren Park. Soon after Kane Simpson had a superb chance to score, stepping inside the defender inside the box but his shot was straight at Stone. He will be disappointed not to score.

As seems to be the way in games like this, Truro piled on the pressure within the last 5 minutes and with another couple of seemingly obvious calls ‘missed’ by the officials, the Tinners had a number of successive corners. After one of these, the ball was kept alive before being clipped into the box and flicked onto the back post for Harrison to slot home with more or less the last kick of the game. Merthyr 1 - 1 Truro.

That now sets up a replay on Tuesday evening, a trip the Martyrs could really do without. I thought Truro were a very good side and one of the best to come to Penydarren Park recently and a draw (or even a loss) would have been a fair result. Merthyr were not at their best, but you cannot expect that every week - lets hope the long trip to Cornwall is successful, as the winner will be playing at home vs the winner of Cirencester Town or Farnham Town.

UP THE TOWN!

Gavin Burns
@BankingMartyrs