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Merton 1s v BB Eagles – 10th December 2011
After last week’s drubbing we needed a much better performance against the league leaders and we certainly got it but without the result unfortunately.
BB Eagles came to the Hood on the back of a very good run and so we expected a tough game but for the majority of the first half we more than matched our high flying visitors. We dominated possession with John, Woody, and Will Low bossing the midfield and Ivan and Femi continually running at, and past, their full backs but unfortunately or possession didn’t result in many chances being created apart from a good Will Low effort that the keeper palmed away at full stretch. The Eagles threat is definitely their pace upfront and they did get past us a couple of times but the back four stood strong and repelled any resulting efforts. They did hit the cross bar though and so level at half time was just about fair.
The second half started with Eagles pushing more men forward and putting pressure on our back four and pushing John deeper to help out. We stood firm though and started to re-establish ourselves and got back into the game but then came the match changing contribution for the ref.
Clappers bought their left winger down about 40 yards out and 10 yards in from the touchline. The ref rightly booked him where the offence took place, so yes 40 yards out and 10 yards in from the touchline, and Clappers turned to jog back into position ready to defend the freekick but to everyone’s amazement the ref told the Eagles player that he could take a quick one and the ball was sent in to the area where an unprepared John could only send it into his own net.
A clearly annoyed Merton came out fighting from the restart and pushed Eagles back. We had a couple of Femi efforts frantically cleared and a strong Woody shot pushed out by their keeper but we couldn’t draw level and with five minutes to go Eagles scrambled in their second from a corner.
A good all round team performance, which on another day would have given us something to show for our efforts, and should give us the belief to push on from now.
Team: Sherbs (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Browner (Olly Braid 20), Jonesy, John Lynch, Woody, Will Low, Vanny, Femi, Jason. Unused sub: Mike Reed
MOM: Jonesey / Will Low
Written by:Simon Clapperton