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This was a very evenly contested game of football. Predators, 8th of 12 in the Premier Division and looking physically on the small side, proved to be quite competitive and strong in midfield. Merton were not quite at full strength with Jonathan Kehoe off sick. However, Jack Malin deputised with great efficiency, his large form looming above his more experienced colleagues at the back, who offered excellent guidance and support. The opening ten minutes were very evenly-balanced with Merton creating several half chances, and Predators squandering a very good chance after breaking through on the left. The Merton midfield struggled to find rhythm against the visitors who never stopped running, and quickly closed down anyone who dwelt on the ball. Nevertheless, Jamie Streat and Daniel Johnson were able to exchange passes and find the Merton strikers on numerous occasions, but the Predators held firm. After 18 minutes the visitors opening the scoring with a goal out of nothing. A player out on the right wing found the net with a superbly-struck shot from just outside the Merton penalty area. Four minutes later it was all-square when Julian Osei-Gyimah was picked out by Jamie Streat, and the ball was in the net after the striker flashed past the last two defenders. The remainder of the half saw defences dominate with neither keeper coming under much pressure. The Merton rearguard was particularly impressive; Adam Marie and Spud Bradley dealing with some powerful runs down the flanks, while in the middle Jack Malin and Lewis West held supremacy over the visiting strikers.

Four minutes into the second period, Merton took the lead when Julian Osei-Gyimah latched onto a quickly-taken free kick and avoided a challenge before slipping the ball past the advancing keeper with a sublime touch. After 48 minutes Merton won a free kick out on the left wing. Lewis West fired the kick over head high, and Jamie Streat sailed in between defenders to direct a spectacular 12-yard header into the net. Three-one, but Predators should have pulled a goal back two minutes later. They were awarded a penalty after a forward was floored by a clumsy challenge, but Warren McCourt made a tremendous save down at his left-hand post. Craig Stanley then turned his marker after receiving the ball from Louis Barron-Pell. The prolific striker dribbled into space but shot narrowly wide with the keeper beaten. The Predators pushed forward, but several timely tackles and good covering prevented any serious incursions. Five minutes from the end Merton had a goal disallowed when Jack Malin swept powerfully past two opponents and picked out Craig Stanley with a superb long-range pass. The striker accelerated clear to bang the ball home, but was flagged offside thereby delaying for at least another week his breaking of the club's goal-scoring record for a season. As the game drew to a close the visitors should have scored again, but the ball was driven wide after a forward burst into the area from the left midfield. Jack Malin was awarded man-of-the match for a superb stand-in defensive performance that was marked by pace, strong challenges and timely interceptions. However, there were plenty of alternative candidates throughout the entire team, especially Adam Marie who played very well against some difficult and dangerous opponents coming down the Merton right wing.

Reporter's man of the match: Jack Malin.

Team: Warren McCourt; Adam Marie, Jack Malin, Lewis West, Spud Bradley; Tshepho Sawdon, Jamie Streat, Daniel Johnson, Nicholas Holley; Craig Stanley, Julian Osei-Gyimah. Sub: Louis Barron-Pell, George King.