2s vs South Bank Cuaco – 07.01.17

Merton Reserves v South Bank

2 – 2

Goal scorers: Graham Willgoss © , Jason Thomas

Team Handsome misses the chance to close the gap at the top!

Merton Reserves will look back at this a missed opportunity to close the gap at the top! Bundles of energy, spirit, effort & good football were on show – all until we managed to go 2 -0 up!

The first half was a pretty tight affair, and it seemed it was always going to take something special (that little moment of magic) to break the deadlock. Step-up captain marvel Graham Willgoss, who is having a cracking season! It was he, who basking in this purple patch of form, felt the audacity to twist and turn a couple of South Bank defenders on the left-hand corner of their box, before looking up and measuring a delightful chip – in off the far post – to send Merton 1 – 0 up. (It definitely was not a cross, no matter what anyone or every player says……I jest…..and to be clear GREAT GOAL….).

Ten minutes into the second half, Emmanuel worked a clever short corner to Connor Murphy, catching them and us by surprise, Connor whipped in a great left footed cross, and big Jase nodded it home. 2-0!!!

Now nobody panic! Oh no wait….! Whether it was a wave of naivety, recklessness, or over confidence it doesn’t matter – within seconds Sherbs was saving a one on one, and from the resulting corner their skipper headed home 2-1.

2 minutes later we are 2-2, another corner (there is a pattern here), and a bundled home equaliser, having failed to clear our lines. It could have got worse, as Sherbs saved another one on one, before we woke up again and had a series of good chances with Tom Benham pretty much creating them with magnificent solo runs, speed and strength – but the ball never quite fell right for the final finish!

With the last kick of the game – South Bank shot wide – when it seemed easier to score.

2-2 in the end a fair result. But having been 2-0 up – it hurts a little!

MMH  – Tom Benham