Merton 4s v Addlestone – 26th January 2013

In their 177th game in this competition (well thats what it feels like) the 4s deservedly won through to the Semi Final of the Surrey Lower Junior Cup.

Preperation was less than ideal, with a number of key players unavailable we were forced to seek help from the 5s to bolster the squad, and then both Ross and Giz turned up after kick off, and Shaun Monoghan made it by the skin of his teeth (NB… I forgot to say Shaun… thats a £10 fine for being late).

Despite this Merton had the better of the early exchanges, with both Graham and Dan Kelly getting joy against the Addlestone defence – both backing up Denyz who was having one of his man mountain games up top. At the back Darren and Micky were dealing with anything that Addlestone threw at us, but despite having the better of the half, we went in 0-0.

A few changes at half time moved us back to a 4-4-2 to try and make better use of the domination Denyz was having against both their centre backs, moving Giz up along side him. A few decent chances came and went, but it was Addlestone who drew first blood. Depending on your point of view, their goal was either a worldy shot from 40 yards that arrowed into the top corner that gave the keeper no chance… or… I was lobbed from 40 yards… Whichever, it meant we had to dig deep. I took heart from their shouts of “we now have something to hang on to” that told us exactly that they knew we were the better team, it was just a matter of time and whether we could take the chances presented. Fortunately the qualiser wasn’t long coming, Giz finding space in a crowded box and finishing well.

There was a definite confidence within the Merton team that this was our game, and there was never any panic – the sign of a team growing in self belief – A VERY good sign for the many BIG games ahead.

The winner came out of nothing… So much so that all I saw was Giz running clear and finishing past their on rushing keeper. The linesman clearly realising that he had saved them a couple of times… but couldn’tjustify this one.

We brought Ross on to bolster the midfield for the inevitable onslaught, but it never really came, the team all defended manfully and left Addlestone with a few hopeful punts into the box which we dealt with easily.

A great win by a great team.

MOM:Denyz – The Ukranian ‘Ivan Drago’ of the Merton 4s

Team:

Attendence:

Report by:Mark Chappell