SAT 12 NOV 22 - MERROW v S&LMFC

MERROW (0) 0 STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) (2) 4

On paper, the hosts, bottom of the Surrey County Intermediate League (West), should have been no match for Staines & Lammas, and a 3rd minute goal for the visitors suggested the same. But to their credit, Merrow made a game of it for a good portion of the match, and the visitors had to work for their victory. Merrow are now playing at Albury Sports Ground, with an excellent clubhouse and historic ground (appropriately for Remembrance weekend, there is a cairn marking the spot where Montgomery addressed Canadian troops ahead of D-Day) which no longer hosts a senior Saturday team of its own. The match was preceded by a minute's silence for Remembrance.

Jamie Ross capitalised on Heike’s ball to fire a shot into the bottom corner, but Merrow quickly enjoyed a good spell – helped by some phenomenal long throws. Kennedy made a good save to deny Nightingale, and Merrow also grazed the crossbar. However, a second goal followed on 37 minutes when Hohh’s cross was met by a powerful far post header by Hamish Gwynne-Porter to bring his first goal for the Club. Despite Steward being banished to the sin-bin in the 42nd minute, Staines almost added a third just before the break following Betts’ free-kick, but Ross’s shot was scrambled round for a corner.

Staines made a determined start to the second half, also rattling the bar, but Merrow should have scored on 68 when a low cross beat everyone to find Jimmy Brazil on his own just a yard away from an open goal … but he contrived to hit the post! Merrow had M Baker cautioned following a 72nd minute face off with Marshall, with Canderton following him into the book for a 76th min foul. On 83 mins, Merrow ‘keeper Slyfield made a point blank save to deny Josh Heike, but the Staines forward did find the net moments later when he took the ball round the ‘keeper to make it 3-0. Ross got his second of the afternoon in the 85th with a clinical shot from a tight angle, easing Staines through to the last 16.

Meanwhile, AFC Cubo pushed S&LM down to 2nd in the table on goal difference after winning their League game.

S&LM:
16 Cameron Kennedy, 2 Matt Hogg, 3 Luke Halsey, 4 Russell Canderton, 5 Hamish Gwynne-Porter, 6 Tom Betts (14 Jason Robertson 84), 7 Richard Bond ©, 8 Jamie Ross, 9 Josh Hieke (17 John Pomroy 84), 10 Thomas Marshall (15 Josh Hooks 72), 11 Josh Stewart (12 Ethan Leeks 72); unused sub: 18 Paul Baker.

MFC:
1 Jacob Slyfield; 4 Paul Shorter, 17 Ben Bowers, 5 David Cole, 3 Paul Moseley; 8 Jordan Glover, 14 Mark Baker ©, 12 Richard Nightingale; 11 Christian Shannon, 10 Connor Hall, 9 James 'Jimmy' Brazil; subs (both used ~60m): 2 Joe Brazil, 15 Deen Yousaf. [All red; white trim on shirts & shorts].

Ref: Steve Ferris (Guildford); ARs: J Robertson [1st ½] / P Baker [2nd ·] (S&LM subs) / ? (M); att: 39.