4th Team Results
4th Team 4 - 3 Merton
Venue: Home
Referee: Julius
Egbertians got off to a flying start in this 1st Round Senior Novets Cup tie, pushing forward straight from kick off with White being hacked down on the edge of the box. Goulding's unstoppable free kick eluded the keeper to make it 1-0 in the first minute. Upon review maybe the keeper should have done better (it was straight at him and floaty). The Egs almost extended their lead in just the second minute after some great inter play from Hyde and Orford on the right with the latter's cross finding the in form Egs striker at the back post, his volley was expertly tipped over. A powerful start bode well for the home side but then the Egs cracked. Chinnery hesitated with a pass back and the Merton forward took advantage and poked the ball past the keeper. Then two more goals from the opposition followed in quick succession via route one long balls causing the goal keeper major problems. At 3-1 down the Egs rallied with White striking the woodwork with a thunderous half volley from 25 yards and Chinnery heading onto the bar from a corner, however the home side found themselves inexplicably 3-1 down at the half way point with a mountain to climb.
The second half saw a fantastic and composed performance from the Egs who controlled the game from back to front. Centre backs Chinn and Lancaster dominated their opposite numbers; the midfield pairing of White and McLean won their battles and found space in between the lines to lead attacks. The Egs were finding space wide with the inspired managerial interchanges of Orford, Garrett, Gardener and Sikking on the wings all causing the Merton fullbacks major issues. The comeback officially started as White poked in from goal mouth scramble, the equaliser came from Gardner who got on the end of a great cross to the far post to tap home. The Merton keeper then made a string of great saves firstly from Goulding's acrobatic volley then from Chinnery's powerful header and Orford's drilled shot. Baldwin's tireless running almost paid off as he was unlucky with an audacious 30 yard effort with the keeper off his line. The Egs persevered and got their rewards after a fine cross field ball from Hyde found Gardner in space who drilled a fantastic half volley in off the far post to put the Egs deservedly back in front. This assist however was to be Hyde's last major involvement as he saw red in the 85th minute for his second bookable offence, uncharacteristically for lack of discipline. Player-manager Baldwin was less than impressed as he claimed the armband from Hyde en route to the dressing room. This, however, was all water under the bridge as it failed to mar a dominating, very impressive comeback performance. The Egs and their soldiers march on to round 2.
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