Report

Merthyr Town hoped to clinch promotion last Tuesday at Wells City but a heavy downpour just after the match started left the referee with no option but to abandon the match, which meant that the Welsh boys had the opportunity to secure the title in front of their home crowd against Ilfracombe Town. The two sides had met seven days earlier when Ilfracombe let in five goals without reply – the scoreline giving Merthyr confidence that their title hopes would be fulfilled in style. As visitors, though, Ilfracombe proved a tough nut to crack and kept most of the 700 plus crowd biting their nails for more than 70 minutes, with the Devon outfit managing to thwart the home side’s attacks. The only clear cut chance in the first half was kept out by the Ilfracombe ‘keeper’s legs. The second half saw
Merthyr manage to get their game together and eventually, on 70 minutes, a simple 6 yard tap in gave them the all important goal. Welsh nerves continued to jangle right to the end as the home side failed to find another goal, but the one goal proved to be enough to ensure a step up for the re-born Merthyr side. League Vice Chairman Allan Skuse and Fixtures Secretary Tony Salvidge were on hand to present 120 year old cup to the victorious captain.

Bitton travelled to Barnstaple Town knowing that one point would ensure at least runners-up spot, but with the hope that Merthyr might fail in their bid for points and leave the door open for the Gloucestershire side to grab the title. The visitors took a while to settle as Barnstaple put up stubborn resistance. Bitton opened the scoring midway through the first half but failed to take control and the crucial moment in the match came when the referee pointed to the spot after a Barnstaple player was brought to the ground in the penalty area. From the resultant spot kick the ball thundered past the outside of the right hand upright and the writing was on the wall for the approaching second half. Bitton enjoyed the majority of possession in the second period, although Barnstaple looked capable of springing a surprise the visitors hit goal number two, and then the home side knocked in what proved to be a consolation goal. As the match was drawing to a close Bitton made it 3-1 and then a frantic ‘phone call to Merthyr confirmed that they had clinched the title which left the way clear for League Secretary Ken Clarke to present the Bitton players with their runners-up medals.

Larkhall Athletic had the slim chance of grabbing second place in the table if they could overcome visiting Willand Rovers and Bitton lost their final match, but it wasn’t to be as the visitors used the match to sharpen themselves for next week’s Les Phillips Cup Final.

Report Courtesy of Toolstation Western League Bulletin #39