It was a party atmosphere at Penydarren Park before the game, with two sides squaring off knowing the winners would be making history. Since reforming in 2010, the furthest Merthyr Town had got in the FA Cup was the Third Qualifying Round, so today's game was already historically important for them after already seeing off Truro City, Cirencester, and Gloucester City. Folkestone on the other hand had only once made the First Round Proper as the Invicta incarnation of the club. Folkestone fan, Colin, told me before the game, “I remember the year that England won the World Cup the old Folkestone Town FC made the Third Round.” Colin and his friends left Folkestone at 8:30am to cross the Welsh border, encapsulating the spirit of the cup whatever the round.
The game pitted two managers at polarising stages of their careers. Paul Michael, who is in his first season at Merthyr, is building a reputation as an FA Cup specialist after taking Yate Town to the First Round Proper last season. In the other dugout, Neil Cugley who holds the title of the longest serving manager in English Football; this being his 26th season in charge of Invicta.
Merthyr fans were in good spirits before the game, with fans Sam Bishop and Jack Twomey saying how important this cup run is for the club and community. Sam is dreaming of a plum draw away to Sheffield Wednesday, while today's game was Jack's first - a cup run is always a good way of gaining new fans for non-league teams.
Story of the match
The crowd had barely settled before Merthyr drew first blood in this cup tie. Just 90 seconds in, a lovely out swinging cross by captain Adam Davies was powered home by Lewis Powell to send the home fans into raptures.
Folkestone were stunned, and had just one touch from kick off before Merthyr were through again, this time Ricardo Rees racing through only to fire just wide.
There was no holding back in commitment from both sides, even at the early stages of the game; a clash between Liam Angel and Ade Yusuff had home fans screaming for a red card. The referee held firm and produced a yellow for Yusuff.
That did nothing to halt The Martyrs’ electric start, and they doubled their lead in the 12th minute as a corner was only half cleared to Alex John 20-yards out who hit a sweet half volley into the far corner.
Merthyr’s control on the game was then abruptly halted just minutes later, when Ira Jackson Jr powered into the box and fizzed a ball across the six-yard box which was turned into his own net by Tom Handley.
This firmly swung momentum in Folkestone’s favour who looked the more likely to score for the rest of the half. First, Scott Heard saw a header heroically headed off the line, with the resulting corner seeing Nathan Green’s effort saved by Will Fuller’s outstretched boot.
Invicta’s robust 4-3-3 meant they grew into the half, with Jackson causing all sorts of issues down the left side, seeing two powerful shots well held by Fuller in goal. Paul Michael brought his wingbacks back to a traditional defensive 5, allowing Merthyr to see out the rest of the half with no issue.
The second half saw Folkestone press hard for an equaliser from the get-go. Substitute Kadell Daniel added quality and speed to the Invicta attack, providing some delicious crosses that were begging to be tapped home, Heard the man that couldn’t quite connect on multiple occasions.
The 65th minute saw the moment which defined the cup tie. Daniel picked up the ball from 30-yards and unleased a thunderous effort that looked like it was sailing in if not for the fingertip save of Fuller in goal. You knew it was Merthyr’s day from here.
Fuller did not put a glove wrong all game, claiming and confidently punching the barrage of crosses away. He was not needed for Yusuff’s free kick which sailed just over the bar.
Merthyr had one final chance to add gloss to the scoreline as Rees broke clear into the box and stabbed a shot agonisingly wide of the post.
A number of injuries for Merthyr kept the clock rolling, but they were able to see it out and cement their place in history.
The draw for the First Round Proper, where clubs such as Ipswich Town, Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday, and Plymouth Argyle join the rest of EFL League One and Two alongside the 32 non-league clubs that qualified today, will take place live on BBC at 7pm Monday.
Star man: Will Fuller