The National League North has been a league with many critics over recent years – with many complaints over the style of play that some teams adopt, but that can’t be said about newcomers Merthyr Town.
They play a style of football that sees them play out from the back. It’s high risk, but also at present proving to be high reward. Merthyr Town sit in 3rd place in the National League North, with an astonishing 77 goals in their opening 18 league games of the season.
Ricardo Rees is on 21 goals so far in the league, two goals more than Hereford who sit in 23rd spot. As you would expect, he is popular with supporters with a move to a side in the Football League not out of the question.
However, a player also receiving plaudits is Cawley Cox. Cox moved to Merthyr in January of this year after impressing at Westfields in the Hellenic League Premier Division and he soon settled in and helped The Martyrs to promotion from the Southern League Premier Division and his progress has continued into this season.
A hat-trick in the FA Cup and a number of goals and assists have seen the Merthyr fanbase singing his name and his link up play and partnership with Ricardo Rees have helped Merthyr to win their past six matches in the National League North.
Cox told Your Herefordshire:
“It’s been a great experience so far, with the promotion last year and being in the National League North this year, it’s been a challenge but one I’ve really enjoyed.
“Training and playing with an ambitious and talented squad has pushed me and helped me to improve my game, learning from the other players and coaching staff.
“The league is quick and physical which we’ve had to get used to, but the way we play hasn’t changed. The gaffer still wants us to be brave on the ball and play the good, exciting football that the fans want to watch. We’ve started well but we know there’s a long way to go, there’s lots of football still to be played and we know how unpredictable this league is, so we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.
“Personally, I think I’ve had a good start to the season but I want to keep pushing myself, work on my weaknesses and improve every week to help the team go as far as possible.”
Plenty of credit has to also go to Westfields Football Club and Hereford Pegasus for the part they’ve played in Cox’s development.
