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Craig Stanley and Julian Osei-Gyinah both bagged hat-tricks for a rampant Merton in this friendly against the Epsom & Ewell League leaders, Banstead Rangers. The visitors started quite well and more than matched Merton for the opening ten minutes. During this period Warren McCourt pulled off a very good save and Craig Stanley missed a couple of chances. The Merton midfield eventually changed gear and Daniel Johnson and Jamie Streat began to show excellent form, feeding both the wide players and the strikers. After 16 minutes some unselfish play in the box by Craig Stanley put Julian Osei-Gyinah away for a very slick finish. Two minutes later Tsepher Sawdon was on hand to fire home a crisp shot after some mayhem in the Banstead penalty area. George King and Tsepher Sawdon were causing plenty of problems down the flanks, and in midfield the incisive passing of Daniel Johnson and Jamie Streat had Banstead struggling to stay in the game. After 22 minutes a very poor goal kick presented Craig Stanley with a chance that was clinically taken to put the hosts three up. Warren McCourt then had to make a superb block with his feet when Banstead got through on goal. Five minutes before the break George King capped an excellent first-half performance when netting with a terrific shot from just outside the penalty area. Banstead rallied as the half drew to a close, but the impressive Merton defence proved impenetrable.

Merton maintained control in the second half with the impressive Daniel Johnson and Jamie Streat running the midfield. A whole string of chances came and went before Jamie Streat was upended in the box, but Daniel Johnson drove the penalty wide. However, Merton were rewarded on 38 minutes following a great move involving Louis Barron-Pell and Tsepher Sawdon. The ball was eventually taken up by Craig Stanley who turned a defender before dribbling clear to score. Soon after Banstead salvaged a goal when a player drove the ball home after a melee in the Merton goal area. The Banstead defence was repeatedly shredded and on 46 minutes Julian Osei-Gyinah fired home from close range to make it 6-1. Merton had further chances, but the Banstead keeper made several impressive saves to keep the score down. The visitors continued the battle, but they eventually conceded a 7th goal in the 51st minute. Craig Stanley received the ball just past the half-way line and set off on a mazy run past three defenders before chipping the keeper for an outstanding goal. Banstead retaliated with several attacks and from one of these Warren McCourt made a good save. However, in the last minute Julian Osei-Gyinah completed the rout and crowned his debut with a hat-trick.

Reporter's man of the match:Daniel Johnson.

Team: Warren McCourt; Adam Marie, Jonathan Kehoe, Lewis West, Spud Bradley; Tsepher Sawdon, Jamie Streat, Daniel Johnson, George King; Craig Stanley, Louis Barron-Pell. Sub: Julian Osei-Gyinah.