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1st vs Winchmore Hill 21.02.15
I was told it was tough going to Winchmore Hill and getting a result. I didn’t count on that meaning a tediously slow journey through the City turning into road works at every turn. Woody now understands the point of meet times!!
When we finally arrived, with Van purple with pain as he needed a wee wee, we found a pitch in very good condition despite the rain during the week.
With a few absentees we drafted in the club’s three top scorers, Will Taylor, Rayner and Big Jase. Left wing, left back and the bench probably weren’t where they thought their goals would get them, but that’s life. Even with the reshuffled pack we got off to a very good start and created a couple of half chances and generally controlled midfield. Winchmore Hill looked dangerous upfront though with a very clever centre forward and a quick, tricky winger who when he wasn’t falling over in the area with no one near him was their main source of danger. His quick feet and the wet pitch meant a number of Merton defenders ending up on their backsides. From one such episode a good ball was played across the box and put in at the back post. The rest of the half was reasonably even but Angus was definitely the busier keeper and pulled off a couple of very good saves.
We regrouped at half time, bringing on Jase for the injured Woody, and worked out a plan to snuff out their danger. With this we started the second half strongly and soon equalised through a drilled, Will Taylor effort, from just inside the area. We had two or three more good changes and again generally looked good, containing their danger men. With 15 minutes to go we conceded a free kick, midway into our half, and their centre forward scored a very good header from the resulting delivery. This galvanised us again and driven forward by Al G, captain for the day, we pushed for the equaliser. We were denied a stone wall penalty as Ackers turned his man and was brought down and then as we pushed on, gaps were left and they scored a third with minutes to go.
The score line suggests we were well beaten by a promotion hopeful but the performance told a different story. So, lots of positives to take into next week and more proof that we’re in the right league and just need a bit more luck.
TEAM: Angus (GK), Al G, Rat, Browner, Rayner, Will Low, Woody (Big Jase 44 (time he came on, not