Match Report: Merstham Youth v Under 12 Wanderers: 1 - 3 Away Win (League)
Match Date: | Sun 19/10/2014 |
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Played: | Merstham Youth (Away) |
Result: | 3 - 1 |
Match Type: | League |
Man of the match: | Archie Stokes- best game by far this season |
Match Report
Ashtead Colts were away at their old rivals Merstham this week. There was a new look to the squad as Nick drafted in some of the U11 squad to shore up a deleted Colts line-up. Huge thanks to Liam, Jack and Elliott for turning out. A year’s difference is a big step up at that age but the boys played with confidence and enthusiasm.
Merstham maintain a big pitch, wide, with slighter larger goals and width was the key to the Colts dominance. Nick went with three at the back and Ben, Will and Archie were magnificent, keeping Mersham’s attack quiet and building the platform to take the game to their opponents.
In the first half chances went begging; twice the Colts had shots cleared off the line; Danny turned the defender but couldn’t get enough power into his shot; and Benji spun a ball just past the far post. In reply, Merstham’s looping high shot hit the bar and bounced neatly into Tom’s arms.
The Colts stepped things up in the second half. Benji curled a free kick over the wall and into the side of the goal to make it 0-1 and give the Colts the lead they deserved. Moments later Gonzalo lost his marker in front of goal and fired past the keeper; and Tom sealed the victory with a neat side foot from close range, 0-3 Ashtead. Merstham were able to grab a consolation goal at the end when they were quickest to react to a stinging drive which Elliott did well to parry.
Some moments of real quality on the pitch today: the highlights were Archie’s confident display at the back; Will’s perfectly weighted diagonal ball to the left wing, which led to the first goal; and that mazy run by George past four Merstham defenders late in the second half.