A relegation reprieve in the first year back from the Covid break led to progressive finishes of ninth and sixth before Paul Michael finally gave the Merthyr some cheer by leading them to the Southern League Premier South title on Monday.
Will Jaaskelainen saved three penalties in the shoot-out – then stepped up himself to fire National League Woking into the FA Trophy semi-finals and avoid a near-miss upset against Oxford City.
Anthony Church’s divine intervention knocked out big guns Southend United and sent Step 4 Sittingbourne into the FA Trophy quarter-finals after a 1-0 victory.