Media Watch - Taunton Town

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
(Rudyard Kippling)

Apprehension, excitement, anxiety, euphoria – in fact we will probably experience the full range of ‘A & E’ in the build up to this top of the table clash.

When Saturday eventually comes and we face Taunton for the fourth time this season, we can reflect on the previous encounters and consider how important these occasions are. Blood pressure will increase; frustration and fear in equal measure will rise to the surface from the kick-off. This type of game is not particularly rational, they aren’t really logical. Football is often an entertaining distraction from the real life drama and that weekend fix is reinforced with a dash of chaos now and again.

Their record coming into this game speaks for itself. Only one away defeat in the league all season and unbeaten in 14 games since October.

These are the games that are watched with eyes half shut and fingers crossed. Every misplaced pass feels like personal torture. We love watching them but still hate them all at the same time.

Generally speaking, I try to suffer the anguish of watching us play with a large spoonful of reality although it can occasionally deteriorate into a deep self-inflicted depression for 48-hours. We’ve all probably watched the Martyrs lose as many football matches as they’ve won over the years. We’ll also watch them win and lose literally hundreds of games in the future.

We should try not to consciously uncouple in an atmosphere of perpetual anxiety. Like many I’m yet to fully interpret exactly how the mystical ying/yang levels kick-in when it comes to the Martyrs. Instead the frustration is often unleashed on an unsuspecting match official when he/she has made a mistake, perhaps something that we should all be slightly ashamed of.

That’s a considerable amount of self-inflicted emotion. More often than not, even when the Martyrs have lost, the social environment around attending the football ensures that we almost always have a sense of belonging. As Wolvsey wrote so eloquently in Issue 50 of Dial M for Merthyr, ‘it’s about family’. It’s about the wider family unit that exists within Penydarren Park. It’s tribal but in a safe environment. Everyone knows each other, The town supports the club, the club represents the town and the people make both places unique. Wise words from the veteran fanzine guru!

In the wider context, the game against Taunton is special because it’s currently between the teams’ with the two best playing records in the division. But geography also has an important part to play for the club, but for unique reasons. For nearly 90 years we have played in the English League system, we have always shunned attempts to persuade us to join the WPL. Prior to Lyn Jones transformational effect on the Martyrs fortunes, Reddy eventually running out of patience, the Holloway years in the wilderness, it has finally been the Trust who have transformed our image into this upwardly mobile, fan owned model.

Merthyr are viewed as the rebels in South Wales. The often maligned orphan that pitched up on the WPL’s patch. Even though our support is historically larger than clubs plying their trade in the WPL, the carrot of an annual game in Europe is looked upon with greater charity and reverence by the wider public, but not the staunch fans of the Martyrs.

Technically, we are in ‘no man’s land’ outside the Football League and not part of the WPL. But we no longer need to dream of ‘Progression through stability’. We can actually ‘live’ that dream.

This landscape has changed now, with Steve Jenkins adding steel to our image as football purists. The plans for the stadium will help to rubber-stamp our English based heritage a little further. Future self generated economic sense and success will bring us greater respect but I’m sure people even older and more grounded in this rivalry will recall and even relish the battles fought to retain our roots in the ‘English’ pyramid system.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
(Rudyard Kippling)

The following was the reaction from Taunton Town manager Leigh Robinson after their 6-0 win at Fleet on Tuesday evening.

He said: "We were simply superb tonight and I don't think I could call that anything else but a 10/10 performance.

On a hard and bobbly pitch our attitude was fantastic, we played in the right areas and posed a threat all night.

I'm really pleased for Rodney (Marsh, who scored a hat-trick) as he's had a tough year of it injury wise but he took his goals incredibly well and his sharpness can only be a further boost for us moving forwards."

Merthyr Town take on Southern League title rivals Taunton in crucial clash at Penydarren Park on Saturday
Wales On Line

Leaders Merthyr Town can strike a major blow in their quest to be crowned Evo-Stik Southern League South and West champions when they play second-placed Taunton Town at Penydarren Park tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

The Martyrs are six point clear of Taunton with two games in hand and take a major step towards the title. There is only one automatic promotion place available and Merthyr have missed out in each of the last two seasons after going into the play-offs.

This time, under new manager Steve Jenkins, they are intent of clinching a third promotion in five seasons. Merthyr have 15 fixtures left and their St Valentine’s Day clash with Taunton is a huge opportunity.

They are unbeaten in 12 games, while visitors Taunton haven’t lost since October. Merthyr, though, can complete a league double against the Somerset club and also knocked them out of the FA Trophy this season.

Taunton won 6-0 at Fleet Town in midweek to move closer to Merthyr, who were without a game, and must now win at Penydarren Park to retain realistic hopes of overhauling the leaders.

Season ticket holders from Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Welsh Premier League teams will receive 33 per cent discount on the cost of entry.

Kyle Patten, signed on loan from Newport County, has extended his stay at Merthyr for another month. Patten has made three appearances in Merthyr’s midfield.

Aaron Collins, who also signed for the Martyrs on loan from Newport, has returned to the League Two club.

After their home match against Taunton, Merthyr are away against North Leigh in Oxfordshire next Wednesday (7.45pm) and then play Bridgwater Town in a rearranged match at Penydarren Park on Saturday, February 21 (3pm).

Merthyr Town hold their annual ex-players reunion day on Saturday, February 21 when Bridgwater Town are visitors to Penydarren Park (3pm). All former players, whether first team or Reserves, are welcome to attend the match and share their memories of the club.

Further information they can contact 07774 708063.