Without a goalie and with only bare eleven (James Greenhouse being kidnapped by the 8ths) we played top of the table Merton.  We started off slowly but gradually got into our stride with both Lee Byrne and Carl Morris running midfield.  Unfortunately we gave a goal away through a weak goal kick and their centre forward smashing the ball home.  0-1 down but we kept playing and controlling the game with Merton reliant on breakaways.

Then Carl was carried off with a twisted ankle.  With no substitute we pulled Elliott back to midfield and went with ten men for the remainder of the game.  We did try and smuggle a certain Mark Raven on the pitch but quite rightly the referee wouldn’t let us do it – Mark had dirty knees!

At half time we went to three at the back moving Gary Blackman into the centre of midfield and just went for it.  It nearly worked as Elliot mis-kicked in front of goal and Fitz thought he was at Twickenham with his shooting.  We really worked hard to take the game to them but after half an hour with no goal we were always liable to be caught on the break.  A mistake at the back allowed Merton to get a second.  You could see the relief on their faces as they had just rode their luck (mixed with our poor finishing).  Merton eventually got a third again on the break - again a mistake by our stand in goalie.

A bit low at the end, but the lads played very well.  To play for 70 minutes against top of the table side with only ten men and no goalie is very difficult.  The objective of this season was always to survive in the new division with a view to strengthening for next year… if the Club will allow us.

Dave Jenvey