Click on back button to return...  back.gif

Merton Juniors U12

3 George King, Jack Malin, Danial Johnson

Camberley Jaguars

1  

West Surrey Youth League Cup Round 1 - 3rd November 2002

Merton played some very good football to defeat Camberley Jaguars and so progress to the last sixteen of the League Cup.  There was some apprehension before the game with reserve strikers turning out instead of the Palace-bound Craig Stanley and the absent Louis Barron-Pell.  This concern proved ill-founded because Merton dominated for long periods and managed to net three times.  The game was evenly balanced for the opening ten minutes, and Camberley did go close with several long-range efforts.  However, it was Merton who nearly scored when a dangerous cross from George King was flicked on by Jack Malin for Daniel Johnson to shoot narrowly wide.  As the half wore on, Merton began to get on top and they eventually scored after 16 minutes when George King netted with a terrific cross-shot that flew into the top corner of the net via a defender's head.  Merton remained in charge for the rest of the half, but could not score because Camberley defended very well and battled with some determination to avoid being overrun in midfield.  When Camberley did break into the Merton half, they were well contained by an impressive back four.

The second half was largely one-way traffic as Merton played some good flowing football and continually kept Camberley on the back foot.  Daniel Johnson brought two great saves out of the Camberley keeper before Merton finally scored two minutes in the restart.  After a lot of action in the Camberley penalty area Jack Malin fired in a blistering shot from ten yards out that gave the Camberley keeper no chance.  Despite their domination Merton conceded a goal six minutes later when Camberley penetrated the home defence and scored from inside the box after the ball ran free following a good block by Warren McCourt.  Normal service was then resumed with Lewis West and Jamie Streat dominating the midfield, and George King and Eddie Lyne providing plenty of dangerous runs down the flanks.  Daniel Johnson got in a good header that was saved, and then Jack Malin steamed through the middle to fire past the keeper but beyond the far post.  Merton scored their third with nine minutes remaining.  George King's pass was turned into the path of Lewis West by Jack Malin and the result was a thunderous shot that came off the bar for Daniel Johnson to drive the rebound into the net.  Camberley tried to fight their way back and the game became rather physical in the last five minutes, but Merton were equal to the challenge and Camberley did not manage to pose any serious problems for the home defence.

Reporter's man of the match: Lewis West

Team: Warren McCourt; Billy Kelly, Adam Marie, Jonathan Kehoe, Spud Bradley; George King, Jamie Streat, Lewis West, Eddie Lyne, Jack Malin, Daniel Johnson.