GAV'S BOYS LEFT IN LIMBO

WORRIED manager Gavin Williams fears Merthyr Town may be blocked from kicking off their league campaign next month.

- John Lyons

The Southern League Premier South outfit are scheduled to begin at home against Beaconsfield Town on September 26, but have endured a frustrating pre-season so far.

While their league rivals have been piling up friendly matches, the Martyrs have had to kick their heels bar a training game against a young Cardiff side.

It’s because of more stringent government regulations across the Severn Bridge and the Football Association of Wales’ (FAW) Return to Play protocols. As it stands, only ‘elite’ Welsh Premier League clubs are allowed to play friendlies behind closed doors. Former Ipswich and Bristol City midfielder Williams told The NLP: “Everyone else has probably already played four or five friendlies so it’s put us at a massive disadvantage.