WESTON MEET THE MARTYRS IN MERTHYR TOWN CLASH

Weston play the second of three consecutive home games as they host Merthyr Town in the Southern League Premier South this Saturday, 15th April. The match kicks off at 3pm.

In the first of those three games on Easter Monday, The Seagulls beat Tiverton Town by two goals to one at a windswept Optima Stadium. Goals either side of half-time from ex-Yellow Jordan Bastin and Marlon Jackson were enough to earn Weston all three points.

Both Bastin and Jackson were also on the scoresheet earlier in the season when The Seagulls visited Merthyr’s Penydarren Park back in November. Bastin opened the scoring in South Wales after a fine move, before Dayle Grubb doubled the lead with another well-worked team goal. Jackson scored Weston’s third in the second-half after a mazy run and cool finish. However, The Seagulls were in for a scare late in the game as ex-Weston defender Noah Smerdon and then Matthew Harris reduced the arrears to set up a tense finale, before the referee blew the final whistle with Weston winning 3-2.

Merthyr come into this game on the back of a mixed set of results over Easter. On Good Friday, The Martyrs won by five goals to three at Beaconsfield Town, before losing 2-1 at home to Yate Town on Easter Monday.

In the game at Holloways Park, ex-Weston striker Lewis Powell led the way for Merthyr as he scored a brace in that impressive win.

Merthyr’s season in general has been impressive and a vast improvement on last year. The Martyrs were initially relegated at the end of the 2021/22 season but were then awarded a reprieve after the demise of Walton Casuals. Since then, ex-Yate manager Paul Michael has come in and led his new side to ninth place in the league, as it stands.

For Weston’s game against Tiverton, there were just under a thousand in attendance. With a large contingent of travelling fans heading across the Severn Bridge, an even bigger crowd is expected at the Optima Stadium in what should be an exciting clash this Saturday.

KEY MATCHDAY INFORMATION:

ADMISSION:

Adult – £12

Concession – (60+, Student with ID, Armed Forces with ID, NHS with ID) £8

Under 16 (accompanied by an adult) – £3.50

Under 8 (accompanied by an adult) – free

Family – £22.50 (valid for two adults & two under 16s)

Pay on the turnstiles only.

TURNSTILES:

For this fixture, we will have a total of four turnstiles in operation.

We will be operating two turnstiles at our main turnstile block (Turnstiles 1 & 2) next to the club shop and they will operate on a card-only basis.

There will also be an additional two turnstiles on the other side of the ground by our 3G facility (Turnstiles 3 & 4), one turnstile will be card and cash, and the other turnstile will be cash only.

It helps with congestion and access to the ground if you queue at the correct turnstile.

Turnstiles will open 30 minutes earlier than usual at 1pm.

As always, we do recommend arriving as early as possible to avoid last-minute arrival queue times.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE AFC WALKING FOOTBALL & JUNIOR ACADEMY MEMBERS:

Please note the entrance for Walking Football members is via the relevant payment method turnstile and Academy members is via Turnstile 3 only.

Those eligible members will be admitted entrance as per your team agreement. Academy parents, you will need to be with the Academy member at the time of entering.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE AFC SEASON TICKET HOLDERS:

Your entrance using your Season Ticket Card will be via the players’ and officials’ entrance.

CAR PARK:

Our Supporters’ Car Park charges £2.00 to park on a match day. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept card payments for this. So please ensure you have £2.00 available to pay on arrival.

For Season Ticket holders, early arrival is recommended. Your car park is for your exclusive use, when full you will be given free parking in the Supporters’ Car Park where possible instead.

FACILITIES WITHIN GROUND:

Please note, our Sportsman Bar will close 90 minutes before kick-off, at which time the turnstiles will already be open and access can be made into the ground.

Our Somerset Suite Bar, Kitchen and inside ground Joe’s Bar will all be open. Card payment can be made at all three locations.

GROUND REGULATIONS:

Please note our full ground regulations are detailed on our website www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/ground-regulations – All spectators are expected to adhere to these regulations during any game held at The Optima Stadium.

Failure to do so can result in expulsion from the Optima Stadium and its facilities with no refund issued.

CLUB SHOP:

The club shop within The Optima Stadium will be open for all Weston-super-Mare AFC first-team games.

SUPPORTERS’ KITCHEN MENU AND PRICES:

Beefburger – £3.50

Cheeseburger – £4.00

Hot Dog – £3.00

Chips – £2.00

Cheesy Chips – £3.00

Curry Sauce and Chips £3.00

Tea/Coffee/Bovril – £1.50

Extra Burger – £2.50