6s vs Old Wilsonians 8 21.03.15

Match Report

21^st March 2015

Merton 6s 1 – 2 Old Wilsonians 8s

The 6s were up against top of the table leaders Old Wilsonians 8s. They knew this was not going to be an easy match having lost to them at their ground earlier in the season, but felt they could be the ones to end their undefeated run. Due to 4 home games at the hood, it was a 1pm kick off, everyone on the What’s App 6s group were told to turn up nice and early, get changed and have a good warm up prior to the game.  A certain person obviously didn’t read the meet time turning up half an hour late.  There was also a no show, which to Steve’s Friday night miscalculation meant he could put on a strip.  With the team out on the pitch having a good warm up, it came to naming the team.  With Alex a regular keeper in goal, confidence was high.  Starting line after deliberation from Rob and Steve was: Alex (GK), Harry (RB), Baz (LB), Spanner and Darren (CB), Ram and Rob (CM), Ryan (RM), Jay (LM), Matt (number 10 roll!!), Nuno (CF).  Frazer, Steve and Simon (Subs).

We started reasonably well for a change, but Old W’s caught us a few times on the break and their first goal came from a corner, which was poorly defended and fell to their midfielder who, just inside the box, curled the ball into the top right top, there was nothing Alex could do to stop it.  We picked ourselves up from the kick off and tried to get the score level.  20 minutes gone and a couple of changes, Frazer for Ram and Baz for Steve.  Then came their next goal, a hesitated pass by Steve saw their midfielder get the ball and from right side of the pitch crossed the ball which caught Alex out and looped over him into the net, 2 – 0 .

We could have brought a goal back when the ref awarded us a penalty after Frazer was pushed by their defender.  Matt Haswell picked the ball up and felt he had the confidence to put it in the back of the net.  How wrong he was, dragging the shot just wide of the post, keeper also diving the right way.  It wasn’t till later in the bar that Rob mentioned he has never missed a penalty, bet Matt wished he had snatched the ball off him and taken it.

Half time came and we knew we needed to play a bit better 2^nd half, especially as we had the wind against us.

Second half began and we upped our game and played some better football.  Darren came off for Ram and Rob dropped back into defence.  We continued to attack and wear out the 11 men of Old Wilsonians when we eventually got one back with Nuno putting the ball across the box, pass the keeper and Frazer putting the ball into the net.  Simon came on for Harry, and then came off for Harry after picking up yet another injury.  Not sure if he was on longer than Gerrard and it’s a good job there are no Football Injury Lawyers For You out there as Simon would be a rich man by now!!! As the time wound down we couldn’t get the equaliser, the game ended 2 – 1.  4 more games left, HSBC next week at home, Alexandra Park away on 11^th, and Bank of England and Old Blues, both at home, dates TBC, let see if we can end the season with some wins and move a bit further up the table out of the bottom two.

Well done to those who stayed behind after the game for a beer (Coke for the Burchell’s) in the bar.

Pictures of the game below.