4s vs Old Salesians – 19.11.16

Merton 4s vs. Old Salesians 2s
ISEH Senior Novets Cup, Second Round
Saturday 19^th November 2016
by Edward Plaistow

After our convincing win in the first round away to Winchmore Hill, this fixture was meant to send us on our travels again only for the opposition request a switch in venue due to unavailability of a pitch.

With a few regulars unavailable through injury (John Gridley), work (Ryan Burchell), getting called up (Mike Todt) and choosing a cricket social over football! (Will Harrison) we welcome a few new faces into the fold. Sonny brought along a couple of mates in Michael Vogt and Aaron Loftus who both made their Merton debuts and will now hopefully join the club, Steve Burchell game us some experience at the back and Akram Choudhury was also part of the squad for what would turn out to be his Merton debut too.

Not for the first time this season, Kieran seemed to vanish off the face of the earth as nobody could get hold of his. Had it not been for Malcolm Kandulu who drove to Banstead and knocked on his door to revive him from his alcohol induced coma, we would have been without our regular keeper. As he didn’t arrive in time for KO we had to settle for Chris Outred deputising between the sticks.

In all honestly we struggled to get a foothold in the game as the visitors seemed to be pinging the ball around with ease. With our midfield a little to open for my liking, and a few others for that matter, it wasn’t long before Old Salesians took the lead. Not long after conceding the first did we find ourselves two behind…..then three in the blink of an eye. Following the third going in, Kieran replaced Chris in goal so he could take his place in his usual left wing position with Carl making way.

We seemed to compose ourselves a little before going into the break but were unable to find a consolation. We did however manage to pick up a yellow card. Joe Plumridge the culprit.

The team talk was a sombre one. It was clear we was missing the presence of our captain at the back and Will in the middle of the pack.

The second half started the same as the first in the sense that we conceded an early goal. Joe got dismissed harshly for a second yellow which was not deserved. We did manage to fit the back of the net via a penalty. Aaron played a long cross field ball to Michael on the left who took it down with ease, while taking the ball into the box the right back went to ground attempting to connect with the ball however failed in the process taking Michael down. Dom stepped up and converted into the bottom left.

From the restart the visitors went on the attached again and scored their sixth. Little too late but we the last twenty minutes were actually carved out chances, good ones at that, but Sonny and Dom couldn’t find the back of the next.

Next week we travel to Acton for a tough test against Actonians Association. With seven defeats in eight league games it is a must win. With regulars back we will be going into the game with a positive mentality.

Let’s put this one behind us and concentrate on our league campaign. Come on the 4s!!!!   

FINAL SCORE: Merton 4s 1 – 6 Old Salesians
SCORERS: Dom Plumridge (pen)
MOTM: Nobody

STARTING LINE-UP: Chris Outred (GK), Chris Dodd, Joe Plumridge, Steve Burchell, Edward Plaistow, Aaron Loftus, Danny Gridley, Carl Kewley, Michael Vogt, Sonny Kennedy, Dom Plumridge

SUBS: Kieran Lee (GK), Akram Choudhury