National League North: Merthyr Town 6–2 Alfreton Town
Alfreton Town suffered a heavy defeat on the road as Merthyr Town produced a devastating attacking display to run out 6–2 winners at Penydarren Park. Despite a brilliant start from the Reds, the hosts responded with relentless pressure and clinical finishing to take control of the game.
Alfreton made the perfect start, racing into a 2–0 lead inside 11 minutes. Mark Beck opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 8th minute, before Siyabonga Ligendza doubled the advantage three minutes later with a composed finish. But Merthyr quickly regrouped and turned the match on its head with a wave of goals.
The comeback began on 34 minutes when Cole Jarvis fired in the first of his two goals, before Ricardo Rees levelled the match with a strike in the 42nd minute. Into the second half, Jarvis struck again on 57 minutes to put Merthyr ahead for the first time as the momentum swung firmly in the hosts’ favour.
Alfreton tried to stay in the contest, but Merthyr were ruthless in the closing stages. Lewys Twamley made it 4–2 in the 89th minute, before a late flurry from Ricardo Rees, who completed his hat-trick with goals in the 82nd and 90+4 minutes, sealed a memorable night for the home side.
For Alfreton, it was an evening that started with promise but unravelled quickly as defensive vulnerabilities were punished. Jake Buxton’s men will need to regroup quickly ahead of the next fixture, while Merthyr will take huge confidence from an emphatic attacking display.
