Merton 1s v HSBC – 6th April 2013

The 1’s continued their recent good run of form with a hard fought and deserved victory against a spirited HSBC at the Hood. With both team scrapping for points this was never going to be one for the purists, and it certainly wasn’t. We started brightly and controlled the opening period with some good hold up play by Jamie Clayton up top and with Bosh and Reesy making intelligent runs in behind their back four we looked most likely to open the scoring. Woody, Hoppy and Tills were winning the midfield battle but we were undone against the run of play by a long free kick in to our box and brave header by their number 6 who was their main threat all afternoon. We didn’t panic and came out for the second half with composure. It wasn’t long until we were level when JC picked the centre half’s pocket and rifled in to the top corner with a first time strike. The winner wasn’t too far behind after good build up play by Reesy and Woody before Will Low rounded thedefence and cooly slotted beyond the keeper. A valuable three points which almost guarantees second divisionfootball next season.

MOM:

Team: Angus Lees, Adam Frame, Peter Brown, Clappers (capt), Al G, Woody, Hoppy, Tills (Will Low, 45), Jamie Clayton, Matt Bosher, Tom Rees.

Written by: James Tilley