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Merton laid siege to the Camberley goal for ninety percent of this match, but were cruelly punished for poor finishing after conceding a breakaway goal ten minutes from time.  It should have been three points for Merton, but Camberley were triumphant after a very strong defensive performance and some good fortune.  It did not start well for Merton when keeper Warren McCourt injured his shoulder in the pre-match warm-up.  Jack Malin deputised in goal.  Camberley were breached several times in the opening ten minutes, but the shooting of both Craig Stanley and Louis Barron-Pell was either off target or straight at the keeper.  Camberley competed and defended very well, but created nothing and hardly ever reached the final third due to some sterling work from the Merton back four. Merton dominated and after 15 minutes Craig Stanley accelerated clear and beat the keeper, but unfortunately his shot rebounded to safety off the foot of the post.  Soon after Louis Barron-Pell cleared the keeper with a high shot, but Camberley escaped when the ball clipped the crossbar.  Camberley broke clear after 20 minutes and forced a free kick out on the left flank.  Jack Malin saved the resulting direct shot with some difficulty, but the ball was eventually scrambled away.  Merton then had a penalty appeal turned down after the referee failed to notice some blatant holding and pulling after Craig Stanley dribbled clear.  The luckless Craig Stanley broke clear again, but was denied again when the keeper made an excellent save to deflect the ball round the post.  Further chances were created by the inventive Jamie Streat and Daniel Johnson, but the Merton strikers could not beat the keeper and the half ended scoreless.

The second half opened with Jack Malin and Daniel Johnson exchanging positions. The impact was immediate as Jack Malin made several powerful goalward surges that had Camberley in disarray as balls were sprayed into the path of the Merton strikers.  Each time, however, the end product was disappointing, as Craig Stanley and Louis Barron-Pell repeatedly shot straight down the keeper's throat.  Some great skill from Jamie Streat sent Craig Stanley on his way, and after being carried wide the striker beat the keeper with a terrific angled shot, but the ball brushed the wrong side of the post.  Camberley defended resolutely in large numbers, but were taken apart when Jack Malin surged through several opponents before forcing the keeper to make a good save down at his right-hand post.  Louis Barron-Pell and Jamie Streat then tested the keeper with shots from outside the area.  Minutes later Louis Barron-Pell went through on goal but missed a golden chance by shooting straight at the keeper.  Ten minutes from time Camberley forced a corner, which was eventually cleared to the edge of the area.  Unfortunately, a forward was on hand to slam the ball into the net with Camberley's first and only serious shot at goal.  Merton resumed the offensive with George King in goal and Daniel Johnson back in midfield.  Jack Malin outwitted two defenders in the box and laid it off nicely for Craig Stanley, but the keeper made an important save.  Chances came and went for Merton in a frustrating final five minutes.  Merton will play much worse than this and win, but chief honours must go to the Camberley defence.  On the day the Merton finishing was simply not good enough to convert their superior football into valuable points.

Reporter's man of the match: Lewis West.

Team: Jack Malin; Adam Marie, Jonathan Kehoe, Lewis West, Spud Bradley; Tsepher Sawdon, Jamie Streat, Daniel Johnson, Nicholas Holley; Craig Stanley, Louis Barron-Pell. Sub: George King.