15TH JANUARY 2022 ISTHMIAN LEAGUE
How refreshing to be welcomed at a ” Fan owed club ” seemed very organised , you could even have your own beach hut to view the game ,not a bad shout in the cold weather .I sat in amongst the 879 crowd plus “moi meme”- sorry about the french it’s all foreign ,to me. The pitch looking good ,however I’ve been informed it’s dictated by the tide ,still whatever floats your boat !!
There was a general buzz around, three premier league scouts are focusing their eagle eyes over a certain Ollie Tanner .Well I have set the script, we are only two mins in, and a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box ,direct free kick .Guess who is going to take it ( prize winners please send your winning’s to me ) Up step’s Ollie Tanner places his talented left peg ,in the line with the ball stroll’s up, caresses the bag of wind over the wall and into the keeper’s top left corner 1-0 Lewes. Shell shocked Merstham regain, their composure, Ufuah scoots down the left hand flank whip’s a cross in ,defender toe poke’s it away but a little warning for the host. Merstham did press and Lewes found themselves having to hit ” the perfect pass ” from a good distance ,to turn the game back in their favour.-At this time may I mention Huseyin Biler Merstham full back ,who stuck to task of being isolated in the quest to mark someone !!,he coped with honesty and respect well done.
All through-out the team Lewes had a that little extra, Tom Phipp in a central role playing the simple game allowing the more gifted to spread and penetrate the visitor’s,15mins actually saw Merstham nearly turn the game when Adjei-Herskey turned on a sixpence (no pun Ollie ) sending the defender to check if he put he’s short’s on the right way ,and the shot crashed against the post then keeper Carey was on form to blog the follow up. There was plenty of “Oohs and Aahhs ” when home man Taylor along with Spencer and Coleman-De graft, gained possession Merstham getting themselves into difficulties when backing off .On 35mins a deflected ball though ball caused a major problem ,and like the parting of the sea’s Taylor found himself in position of great opportunity to put Lewes 2-0 up, which he did with a calm and assured finish. HT 2-0
Merstham came out and had to dust themselves down ,as they had as many chances as Lewes in the opening 45,but without Russia forwards “Would’ve and Should’ve ” they had to find someone else. They did try to push on but at what risk ,with space in behind they found that they had to back-track and Mr Tanner and his merry men were out to pinch another .Sadly it was not Merstham day ,one incident on 62 mins saw a collision in the penalty area ,normally waved on saw the nail in the coffin as a penalty awarded. Up step’s Joe Taylor for his brace and Lewes third. Still Merstham pushed forward ,and credit to them ,even a partisan crowd warming to their effort’s.( that’s not saying they didn’t want more blood ) Changes had to be made and as a replacement was put in place , a shirt was thrown down and what appeared to be a sulk ,reminded me of when I saw that last -but I was playing under 8’s.no names but have a think about it .Merstham did cause a little un-rest as they pursued a goal but just had no composure in front of the stick’s .To be honest both side’s have the correct ingredient’s of a good side but Lewes have the icing on the cake. FT Lewes 3-Merstham 0
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