Brislington Preview (FA Vase)

Merthyr Town back at home in FA Vase
South Wales Echo

MERTHYR Town continue their remarkable run of home cup ties tomorrow when Brislington Town are visitors to Penydarren Park (3pm). Bristol club Brislington have already lost 2-1 at Merthyr Town in a Toolstation Western League match and return for an FA Vase tie.

The Martyrs have had successive home draws in the FA Cup and now take on Evo-Stik League club Cinderford Town at home in the first qualifying round. They also won 5-1 against Caerau in the Welsh Cup at Penydarren and will entertain Barry Town in the next round.

They await the winners of Wells City and Almondsbury in the Les Phillips League Cup and, again, that tie will be at Penydarren, during November.

Teenager Laurie Marsh made his debut for Merthyr in their last match, the 5-1 Welsh Cup win against Caerau. Former Swansea City and Hereford United player Marsh, 18, has joined on loan for three months. He is helping out the Martyrs because of injuries to Matthew Harris, Tareq Khalil and Andrew Thomas.

Of those only Thomas, who has cracked ribs, is likely to be back playing in the near future. Both Harris and Khalil are out until the new year having suffered broken legs. Midfield player Marsh was with Merthyr under-18 team in the South West Counties League last season.

Bristol Evening Post

Brislington will be on a revenge mission at Merthyr Town's Penydarren Park.

"We went there only 12 days ago for a league game and lost 2-1," said boss Jeff Meacham. "Some of our lads are really up for it because they felt they let themselves down a bit. They're looking forward to giving it a real go against the best footballing team in our division."

Forward Jason Hughes is struggling with a hamstring injury and centre-half Byron Lismore is unavailable, but Bris should have defender Tom Godsell back.

If scores are level at the end of 90 minutes there will be extra time - but not followed by penalties. If scores are still level at the end of extra time there will be a replay

As debated on another thread, the distinct lack of publicity in the local media provides a gap in the pre-match information available prior to the game tomorrow.

I have attempted to second guess the possible implications for the game but this is not necessarily correct and it is not based on any official information released by the Club.

Another weekend and yet another cup fixture, which on this occasion will possibly be the first time that an FA Vase game has actually been played in Wales.

Fresh from victory in both the FA Cup and Welsh Cup last weekend, the Martyrs turn their attention to the FA Vase this weekend when they entertain Brislington.

Producing a determined performance in the FA Cup last Saturday to eventually eliminate a stubborn Longwell Green side by a single goal, a youthful team also overcame Welsh League side Caerau 24-hours later to stretch the unbeaten sequence to 19 games.

The visitors have only lost once this season and that was when they visited Penydarren Park on Bank Holiday Monday. Garry Shephard’s side will certainly be looking for a repeat performance tomorrow afternoon.

Early team news concerns Marcus Griffiths who has suffered from an infected foot and concussion in the last week and he may be a doubtful starter, while Ryan Prosser has experienced a slight back strain during the last few weeks. Will Marcus make the bench, and has Ryan’s back improved enough for him to make the starting line-up?

So far the team appears to have adapted well without the influential presence of Tareq Khalil and Matthew Harris. There are concerns over the injury that Andrew Thomas picked up against Street, although he came through unscathed following 90 minutes against Caerau last weekend.

Fortunately there are a range of options for the coaching staff to consider. If Thomas is not fully fit then Steve Willliams will play alongside Jason Welsh, with either Jon Newall at right back and Alun Griffiths reverting to his natural left back role or with Alun Griffiths on the right and Jack Howe on the left.

The centre of midfield is generally marshalled by Kris Leek and Ryan Dorrian. With 28-year old Dorrian playing a pivotal role in the cup victory against Longwell on Saturday and also leading the young team for 60-minutes against Caerau the following day, he may be rested ahead of the visit to last year’s League Champions in mid-week. This could present an opportunity for loan signing Laurie Marsh to play alongside Kris Leek who may not be available to travel in mid-week due to work commitments. If Marcus doesn’t start expect Ian Traylor to grab the shirt.

Even thinking about these potential changes to the line-up provides an idea of just how versatile this squad actually is.

The winners will play either Slimbridge or Portishead (away) on 24th September.

i must admit this is the first time ive heard of the FA vase, ive heard of the FA trophy. and of course the FA CUP
are we biting off more than we can chew with all these cup games??
all i want is the Martyrs to repeat last season and bounce up another league again. then maybe get a few good cup runs.
but if it brings money to the club im all for it.

swanseajack wrote:i must admit this is the first time ive heard of the FA vase, ive heard of the FA trophy.

The FA Vase is for non-league clubs at Merthyr's current level and lower. FA Trophy is for clubs at the next level and up.

The FA Vase final is played at Wembley.

Merthyr Imp wrote:

swanseajack wrote:i must admit this is the first time ive heard of the FA vase, ive heard of the FA trophy.

The FA Vase is for non-league clubs at Merthyr's current level and lower. FA Trophy is for clubs at the next level and up.

The FA Vase final is played at Wembley.

Merthyr at Wembley?? well i hope we succeed in these fa vase games then, that would be brilliant.

Wandering wrote:Bristol Evening Post

Brislington will be on a revenge mission at Merthyr Town's Penydarren Park.

"We went there only 12 days ago for a league game and lost 2-1," said boss Jeff Meacham. "Some of our lads are really up for it because they felt they let themselves down a bit. They're looking forward to giving it a real go against the best footballing team in our division."

Forward Jason Hughes is struggling with a hamstring injury and centre-half Byron Lismore is unavailable, but Bris should have defender Tom Godsell back.

And look to play football and not have the mindset of kicking teams of the park!!!!!