ISTHMIAN LEAGUE
MERSTHAM VS BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
7TH MARCH 2020
PREMIER DIVISION
First and foremost, well done – the groundsman, for getting the game on.
Merstham, like busy bees. Ayoola – header on 3 minutes, forces Bognor keeper Tangara to tip over. 1 minute later, Merstham’s keeper Pierson, commits handball outside his area with Bognor Regis reporters(sitting next to me) loudly claiming for a sending off, to be honest “Where’s a pot hole, when you need one “ ?
Very pacy game, with Ayoola showing glimpses of skill, maybe beyond this division, causing havoc, for Crane – the Bognor fallback, who in fairness stuck to his task. Finally Ayoola gets a crossing, which is met by Mills on 17 minutes. Tucking away the chance – bottom right hand corner. Home side 1 up.
We had to wait until 24 minutes or Bognor’s first effort, which was no more than a pea roller of a shot. Immediately after, Merstham keeper Pierson, poor clearance. Luckily no advantage taken as the shot is fired straight back into his midriff. Bognor trying to force their way into the game, Merstham need to add to their tally quickly. This suggestion was answered on 38 minutes, well delivered corner, met with a firm header by skipper Gough, into the centre of the goal, making it a justifiable lead 2 – 0 Merstham.
On the stroke of half-time Bognor’s Phemo picks out a goodrun by Smith who thumps low and hard to pull 1 back for the visitors.
HALF TIME MERTSHAM 2 BOGNOR REGIS TOWN 1
2 minutes into the second half, alarm bells, as Bognor’s Crane, unmarked, open goal fires high, wide and unattractive. Lucky Merstham !
Merstham need to re-shuffle and get on the front foot, as we can all see that the pressure is on. Keeper Pierson, is warned for wasting time- and it’s only 10 minutes into the second half. On the hour Bognor’s Lethbridge a jinking run, ended with a fine effort, just flying over. Merstham look desperate. Bognor’s Ashton-Leigh strikes a beauty into the roof of the net – on 66 ( a route Merstham didn’t want to take ! – score now 2 each) on 74 minutes, Merstham bring on Mr Barry hayles, I’m assuming to orchestrate things and to endeavour to quieten thing down.
“ Its panic stations – all men to the pumps” !
Merstham look ready to fold. Bognor as described by my fellow reporters, miss two open goals with cushion volleys – I’m assuming they must be settee’s rather than sitters. This game reminded me of Star Trek – Not out of this world, but for the Kling-on’s.
Fair result, at the end of the day. Score 2-2 Crowd 222.
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