Under 9s vs Claygate – 11.09.16

Merton vs Claygate  10/9/16

11       –       1

Match report by Ben Ind

1st quarter

score at start : 0-0

score at end   : 0-0

A frustrating period for Merton in which they dominated  but could not  turn dominance  into chances.

The closest they came were two one on ones that were well blocked by the keeper. Claygate could barely get the ball , let alone  mount a serious attack.

2nd quarter

score at start : 0-0

score at end : 5-0

Finally,  Merton broke the deadlock with some well taken goals,

something that their high pressing deserved.  One of the main talking points was Merton’s 3rd goal, which , had it not gone in, would have aroused a serious case for a Merton penalty. A Claygate defender  appeared to block a Merton shot with their hand, but the ball then fell to a Merton forward who then scored the 3rd goal.

3rd quarter

score at start : 5-0

score at end  :  8-0

Merton finished off the game with three more goals to put the game beyond Claygate.

Merton struggled for goals in the first few minutes, much like the first quarter , but an own goal  set them off.

4th quarter

score at start : 8-0

score at end   : 11-1

Claygate finally managed to get on the scoresheet at the end.

A good counter attack ended with a powerful shot past the Merton keeper.

Merton added a few more  but the game had been realistically over for a long time.

Summary

A one-sided affair in which the promising Merton side were not truly tested.

Other

The Merton coach said after the game  that their weakness  was slow starts  but he was  pleased with the way their high pressing worked.