Merton 1s v BB Eagles – 8th April 2014

Tuesday night down the Hood and a crucial promotion battle against BB Eagles. BB Eagles are promotion rivals ad they have so many games in hand because of cup runs and the weather that if they win all their games they would go up and if they lost them all (no sign of that happening) they would go down. But after Saturday’s humiliation we had to get back on track and get a vital 3pts. We got off to a flyer and went ahead with a slick move down the left with Bosh and a good finish from Ackers with our first attack after only 10secs. Strangely this galvanised them and seemed to prevent us fom settling into a rhythm as we were pushed back. BB Eagles dominated the next 25 minutes with some very good passing and movement but we defended really well with Clappers organising well and our midfield helping out. They had a number of corners and a very good long throw all of which we defended well. We got into the game and a good free kick from Dan was headed back across goal by Clappers and Woody finished well. We had a couple of close calls when Ackers was played through but flagged offside. One was very close. Just after the break we made it 3 with another Woody finish but surrounded in controversy as they believed the ball had gone out of play and we played to the whistle. There were linos. Their sense of injustice did not spur them on as I feared it might but they lost concentration and we dominated the game. They had a number of lapses when we should have scored but missed some golden opportunities. It boiled over as one of their two very good strikers finally had a go at the ref and got a red card. Vanny made it 4-0 with a header and they got a consolation goal with a rocket volley from about 30 yards. We played very well. Our defence was determined and well marshalled by Clappers and it needed to be to weather the first half storm. Our forwards were very mobile and played well together. The Midfield was outstanding; Woody won everything in the air and Will Lowe and Dan put in a great shift. This sets it up. We need to win on Saturday at Old Actonians but BB Eagles are our only rivals for the second promotion spot and they need at least to win 7 of their last 8 to stand any chance. That is a tall order but it has been an odd season. The lads were cheered on by an enthusiastic home support with the U11s joining in after a light training session.

MOM:

Team: Sherbs (GK), Clowesy, Browner, Clappers, Al G, Woody, Will Lowe, Dan (Pat Mnton), Ivan, Bosh, Ackers, (Sub DQ not used)

Written by:Max Herbert