WITH a beautiful sunset and orange clouds cast over the Charters Community Stadium in Winchester, it looked set for another great day of non-league football.
But when Merthyr Town stepped off the team bus, it was the start of a day to forget for them.
The Welsh side realised too late that their white and black striped kit had been mistakenly left behind in Wales, leaving them a 3 hour and 138 mile journey away from their outfit with kick-off just a few hours away.
Winchester relieved concerns of postponement for the travelling supporters, and were able to help out their opposition with a cheeky catch — they were forced to don The Citizens’ blue and black away kit.
After speaking to club officials and travelling supporters, I was able to confirm that Merthyr’s kit drama ended up being a head in hands moment from the kit officials.
The Merthyr kit-woman — in charge of handling the club’s kit on a matchday, had a moment to forget when she initially washed the kit, and later re-washed the kit after forgetting she’d already washed it, before later leaving the socks, shorts and jerseys behind in a cupboard.
Things went from bad to worse for Paul Michael’s Merthyr side, who conceded two first-half goals from Dan Jones and Sam Ashton to suffer a dent in their play-off hopes, losing 2-0 to the Hampshire outfit.
The result leaves Merthyr remaining in fifth, occupying the last available play-off position on goal difference ahead of Bracknell Town, who defeated Winchester City last week 3-1.
Craig Davis’ side are contesting for a top half finish this season, and are currently level on points with tenth-placed Hendon, who sit above them on goal difference.
