Match Report

 Merton 7s v Civil Service 8s

 

Saturdays forecast: Grey, overcast and showers, could also sum up the 7s this term. Saturday was supposed to be the day the 7s showed there worth after fighting to the end for the 3 points v Sales last week. But with inconsistency creeping in, it’s becoming tough to call which 7s will turn up to each game

The day started quite well, Daban turning up only 30 minutes before a game is a vast improvement on missing the first half, but still becoming a common site to see him sprint over to get changed pitch side!

With Kieran back in goal after his loan to the 5s came to an end, we have Josh RB, Dan & Steve centre and welcome back Ram at LB, going with the same 5 in midfield as last week, seeing as it done so well, Ryan, Jacob, David, Andrew & Luke P seemed quite settled, with Billy once again tasked with roaming around up top.

The game started as expected, CS8s known for good passing football, also starting with 4-5-1 and take the game to the 7s. Matched up in the middle, once again the 7s marshalled by the captain, do well to contain the probing efforts of CS8s. the opening exchanges see Kieran the busier of the 2 keepers, and does well to stay composed with what pressure he is faced with

Playing ever deeper, the 7s start to rely on a counter attack, although running into a head wind, the ball can only be worked on the floor, first break for Billy comes as a through ball sees him contest a 50/50 with the keeper, with the keeper calmly dragging the ball back and passing to safety. No more than minutes later, same situation between CS8s Keeper and Billy, but this time, Billy anticipates the drag back and slides in with a tackle to rob the ball, only to see the tackle come shot to go wide.

As another CV8s attack is dealt with, the ball is punted high in the air, Jacob tussles to win the battle, only to see him left sprawled on the floor, something that look innocuous has left the young lad in a lot of pain. Unable to put any weight on the ankle, there’s no choice but to make an early change. Daban comes on to replace the injured midfielder

The first half comes to a close with both teams winning equal share of the spoils, a good tussle in midfield from both teams and both teams unfortunate not be nick a goal, but 0-0 is a fair reflection

Half time and Steve & David rally the team and call for composure, not only are the 7s in the game, but the feeling is we can nick this one.

Start of the second half and the 7s are the better of the 2 teams, closing down the opposition and playing out form the back, it wasn’t too long before Billy was once again released through the middle, again the keeper is off his line and meeting Billy at the edge of the area the 50/50 results in the keeper winning the ball, but getting bundled out of the area. Feeling aggrieved, the keeper exchanges a few words with the young striker and results in the gloved one throwing the ball square in the chest of Billy who does well not to retaliate.

As the situation calms down, the ref seemed to take an age to speak to both players together, then individually. Billy getting a warning, but with CS8s keeper seeing a red card (which was a bit harsh in my opinion).

None the less, it is at this point that CS8s, now down to 10 men, rally around and take a grip of the game. The 7s, seemingly switch off, are soon under pressure. Not dealing well with the ball over the top are made to pay when a good passing game from CV8s is rewarded with a goal that Kieran had no chance with.

The 7s now stunned, still not able to cope with CS8s attack have only Kieran to thank for keeping the score at 1-0. Even through a melee of players and taking an elbow straight in the face, Kieran was in no mood to go down without a fight

A change sees Andrew make way for Niall for his league debut

However, there’s nothing Kieran could do with the second, with everyone leaving the responsibility to each other to clear the ball just outside the area, sees a neat exchange of passes to cut through the defence, even with a last-ditch foul by Dan, which would have resulted in a penalty and possibly a red card had the ball not fell to the striker to dispatch in the corner, 0-2 against the 10 men of CS8s

A quick change in personal sees Dan make way for Luke Mora, to go with a reformed 3-5-2 and is almost instantly rewarded. A quick throw in from Billy to David, sees the captain drop and shoulder to get around the advancing CS8s player, although clipped around the ankles, still flicks the ball forward and from a full 30yards or so, unleashed a shot that curls beyond the keepers grasp and tucks into the top left-hand corner for 1-2. Game on!

Civil still not read the script, they have 10 men but make it seem like they have 12… the goal just sparked them back into life, and once again the 7s are left watching as the break down the right results in a tame cross that is going wide, wrong foot Steve 3 yards out and comes off his in step to go in the far corner. 1-3!!!!

What a knockout blow, truly feeling sorry for themselves, it’s with less than 10 minutes to go that CS8s twist the knife with one more well taken and deserved goal.

With the 7s in disbelief and from a commanding first half, how in the hell did this slip to a 1-4 deficit! The game ends and rightly so the Civil team take the points. The 7s walk off disheartened and speechless…. How did it go so wrong? 

With an away game to Alleyn Old Boys 7s next week, who are currently unbeaten, the loss of Jacob for possibly 8 weeks and a depleted side, this couldn’t come at a worse time

 

MOTM: Even though he conceded 4, he can hold his gloves up high. Kieran Lee

DOTD: A last ditch attempt by Daban to take DOTD for openly admitting he has no clue what to do in midfield (after the votes had been cast), but Steve once again takes the accoladed for his stunning finish from 3 yards… in the wrong goal! 

 

Team: Kieran, Josh, Dan, Steve, ram, Ryan, Jacob, David, Andrew, Luke, Billy

Daban, Niall, Luke M

Posted in Match Reports 7s