ELMORE PREVIEW

A LOOK AHEAD TO THE MERTHYR CLASH...



It's now just under 3 months ago from when the Eagles produced one of the surprise results of the season when we came from 2-1 behind to beat Premier Division side, Bishop Sutton. So now we look ahead at the tie against Merthyr which is just 2 weeks away. After winning Division One last season at ease, they have continued their progression and look to be heading for promotion again from the Premier Division. With an average home attendance of around 450, it is understandably a game of which the lads can't wait for. With two new faces introduced to the Squad and with clear memories of the win against Bishop Sutton, the Eagles firmly believe they can cause an upset in Wales and progress to the next round. Hopefully a large amount of support will also be travelling to see the game and to show their support to the young group of lads. It's a 3pm K.O so book it into your diary now. Saturday 18th Febraury, will the Eagles cause a surprise again!!!

Cup clash for Merthyr Town
South Wales Echo

MERTHYR Town manager Garry Shephard goes head-to-head with former Rangers defender Chris Vinnicombe at Penydarren Park tomorrow (3pm). The Martyrs put their Toolstation Western League promotion hopes to one side and focus on the Les Phillips League Cup when they entertain Devon club Elmore.

Vinnicombe, who won a Scottish Premier League winners medal with Rangers in 1991, is Elmore’s manager. They are in the lower half of Division One, while Merthyr are pushing hard for promotion from the Premier Division.

Exeter-born Vinnicombe, 41, played for his home city club before moving on to Burnley and Wycombe Wanderers. He played under-21 international football and was captain of an England team which included goalkeeper David James and Alan Shearer.

Merthyr Town are unbeaten in 11 matches and chasing hard for a Western League top-two finish which would keep their hopes of promotion alive. They are one of only two teams, along with Hallen, who have applied for promotion.

Striker Shephard missed the midweek goalless draw at Corsham Town because of a family illness, while Merthyr were also without goalkeeper Joe Perry, who was suffering from a virus, and Kris Leek, who was working. All three should be available against Elmore in the cup, although promotion is the priority for Merthyr Town and their next league test is against bottom club Sherborne on Saturday, February 25.

The Martyrs are now fourth in the Premier Division table, five points behind leaders Bitton with two games in hand. Merthyr travel to play Bristol club Bitton in a rearranged league match on Tuesday, March 28 (7.30pm).

The draw for the Les Phillips Cup quarter-finals will be made at Penydarren Park soon after the final whistle tomorrow.

Second round draw: Barnstaple Town v Gillingham Town, Bitton v Welton Rovers, Manor Farm v Odd Down, Ilfracombe Town v Melksham Town, Merthyr Town v Elmore, Radstock Town v Calne Town, Street v Shepton Mallet, Willand Rovers v Larkhall Athletic.

I think coverage in Merthyr Express very good this week, not for the first time.

Despite concerns expressed earlier in season about the Express, we are having decent coverage and it is being distributed throughout the valleys.

The express and echo coverage is fed in part from club officials, but someone there seems to be doing quite a bit of decent research on background to opposing team and the Les Phillips Cup.

Have to agree with you .The coverage this week on the les phillips cup was excellant and as you say it is being covered across the regions which is a big plus

WE ARE CAPABLE OF ANOTHER UPSET SAYS GERMAN...



So the long trip to Merthyr is now just 24 hours away and can the Eagles cause another upset in their League Cup run. After beating Bishop Sutton in the last round, the lads were rewarded with a trip to Merthyr. After the Cullompton game on Wednesday night, the website caught up with the Assistant Manager to get some feedback from the game and looking forward to the test ahead. "The game was a good run out for both teams. Although we lost the game, the result wasn't important. We played some very good football at times and probably had 65% of the possession. So all in all we are happy with the run out and feel we are now ready for the big test ahead of us. Although we respect Merthyr and remember their impressive fan base coming down to Elmore last season, we do not have any fear going into the game and we're not going up to the welsh club expecting to lose. I am expecting the opposite and honestly believe we can get something from the game. Yes we may need some luck and will have to work extremely hard but we have a talented squad and anyone who rules us out of yet another upset will be very silly to say the least. We are aware of how Merthyr play and we have a game plan that will hopefully work. I have heard rumours that quite a few people have predicted a high scoring thrashing for us. Let's hope Merthyr think the same