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Merton Juniors U12s

5 Louis Barron-Pell 4, Jack Malin

Camberley Jaguars

2  

West Surrey Youth League - 1st December 2002

Merton put in an impressive second-half performance to defeat Camberley and go to the top of the league. The visitors started well, and made several forays down the flanks that put Merton under pressure. After 4 minutes Camberley won a free kick outside the area on the left wing, and as a result a dangerous ball was delivered into the box. The Merton defence made several unsuccessful attempts to clear their lines before a forward drove the ball home. A few minutes later Warren McCourt pulled off a great finger-tip save to keep Merton in the game. Having made the early running the visitors were eventually driven back and the remainder of the half developed into a tense, tight affair with few openings for either side. Craig Stanley missed a couple of good chances, and at the other end Camberley broke through but a forward shot wide, and then Warren McCourt held a powerful strike from distance. Camberley were the better side, but Jack Malin was making his presence felt with a very strong performance in midfield. Two minutes before the interval Jack Malin dispossessed a defender in the Camberley box and laid it off for Louis Barron Pell, who side-footed home from six yards.

The second half started with Jack Malin making a very strong run down the left wing and ball eventually finding Louis Barron-Pell who dribbled through two defenders before planting the ball in the net. A minute later it was 3-1 after Jack Malin made another steaming run down the left flank. The ball was delivered into the Camberley penalty area, and after a bit of a scramble, Louis Barron-Pell claimed his hat-trick with a shot that was deflected into the net. The Merton defence was then caught out on the break, but the Camberley striker squandered the chance by shooting wide in a one-on-one. Jack Malin was still very prominent in the Merton midfield, winning the ball, and putting in some storming runs before laying off the ball with a simple pass inside. Louis Barron-Pell was also causing plenty of problems with some dazzling footwork. Merton's dominance eventually resulted in another goal after 40 minutes when a fluent passing move sent Louis Barron-Pell goalward to score his fourth goal after outwitting several defenders. A minute later Merton were hit on the break and a Camberley forward successfully converted a one-on-one. The game now became progressively more physical as both sides fought for control of the midfield. Eventually Camberley broke through again, but this time Warren McCourt made a great save with his feet in another one-on-one situation. Four minutes from time Jack Malin capped an outstanding performance by driving the ball high into the net after Louis Barron-Pell and Craig Stanley had combined to unlock the Camberley defence. There was still time for Craig Stanley to sprint clear and have a shot blocked by the Camberley keeper.

Reporter's man of the match: Jack Malin.

Team: Warren McCourt; Billy Kelly, Adam Marie, Jonathan Kehoe, Spud Bradley; Eddie Lyne, Jamie Streat, Daniel Johnson, Jack Malin; George King, Craig Stanley; Sub: Louis Barron-Pell, Lewis West.