Laithwaite Independent Financial Advisers

Cards need penalty shoot-out

1:01pm, Wed 3rd Feb 2010
Woking (0) ……………. 1 Merstham (1) …………………. 1
Carr 83’ Bellamy 44’

Tuesday, 2nd February, 2010

Surrey Senior Cup – Third Round

Attendance: 145 (estimated)

With Bob Cumming

Graham Baker played a strong starting line-up on this cold, damp evening in front of Kingfield’s empty terraces. The line-up was Ross Worner, shielded by a back four of Ricky Anane, Gavin Miller, Joe McNerney, and Nicky Nicolau, with a midfield of Charlie Moone, Billy Hussey, Jamie Hand and Sam Sloma. Delano Sam-Yorke and Jamie Slabber were given the responsibility of extracting the goals.

Merstham lined up with two of the Charlton Youth X1 who defeated Woking Youths at The Valley, and Billy Marshall, who had played for Woking Reserves before moving to Bristol City, and more recently Leatherhead, and ex-Card Carl Gibbs on the bench.

Merstham started the stronger, but the first half deteriorated into a turgid affair with both sides unable to play telling passes or show any individual flair. Merstham had shots high and wide from Maan and Smith within the first ten minutes. Shortly after this Delano Sam-Yorke burst through to be forced to the line by the impressive Adam Moriarty at left back. The resulting corner was met powerfully by Joe McNerney, unmarked in front of goal, but his effort skimmed over the bar.

Merstham continued to press a hesitant Cards defence, and had an excellent chance when the ball fell unexpectedly at the feet of Mu Maan, two yards from the goal, but his shot rebounded a foot wide of the post.

Again Sam-Yorke chased wayward passes, and on 26 minutes cut in from the by-line to square for the unmarked Jamie Hand. His indecision meant he lost the chance to shoot or pass.

On 36 minutes Liam Bellamy was allowed to outsmart Nicolau and his pinpoint cross was met spectacularly by David Smith with an overhead kick that looped inches over the bar.

Four minutes later Jamie Slabber failed to gather a forward pass and the resulting deep ball caused panic in the Cards defence, Ross Worner diving to attempt to smother at feet, only to see the ball bobble free to Maan, who sliced wide with the goal beckoning.

On 44 minutes the pacy David Smith broke through past Ricky Anane and into the box. His hard low shot was not held by Ross Worner and the loose ball was tapped home by Liam Bellamy. With Woking yet to start to play any cohesive football, the Cards trudged off for some words of wisdom from Matt Howard, no doubt with Graham Baker adding a few of his own.

Half-time 1-0 to Merstham.

The Cards opened brightly with the underperforming first teamers beginning to show a little more effort. On 50 minutes a deep cross ball from Charlie Moone was met by Billy Hussey and his one-touch pass to Ricky Anane looked set for a goal, but the keeper got down well and smothered.

Two minutes later Hand put through a clever pass that was met by Charlie Moone who, with a deft touch, skipped past two defenders and swept an angled shot inches wide. Jamie Hand was becoming more influential and had a hand in most of the second half midfield action. Five minutes later he should have buried the ball as he timed his run perfectly to meet Jamie Slabber’s excellent cross from the right. Minutes later Joe McNerney, always likely to score from corners, had an effort dropped by the keeper and re-gathered at the second attempt.

On 68 minutes a Sam Sloma corner bent its way over to the far post for Charlie Moone to head onto the post. Three minutes later Slabber went for a 50:50 ball and left Wes Coggin on the ground holding his head. He was duly booked. Ten minutes later Jamie Hand was booked for a late tackle.

With ten minutes to go diminutive left-winger Rob Carr came on for Charlie Moone to provide a little more energy up front. Minutes later Joe McNerney, who had a solid game throughout, ventured forward and struck a thirty-yard rocket that shot over the bar.

On 83 minutes a long through ball from Gavin Miller was met by Jamie Slabber on the edge of the box, who, as he turned, was brought down. Billy Hussey stepped up to strike firmly but the shot was parried by the diving Chatfield, and the delighted Carr skipped in to stab the ball home from a yard out.

A late flurry from the Cards saw Ricky Anane press forward. A corner headed on by Gavin Miller was almost turned in by Jamie Slabber. Delano Sam-Yorke did have the ball in the net after McNerney had headed down but he was ruled offside. Perhaps the best chance to win the game in normal time came two minutes into injury time as Matt Powell sliced wide with the goal gaping after good work by Sam-Yorke.

The opening minutes of extra time should have seen the Cards take the lead. Nicolau set up Slabber, who shot into the side netting, and either Sam-Yorke or Carr should have met Hand’s teasing deep cross. Rob Carr jumped for a ball and jarred his hip as he landed and had to be withdrawn at half-time. With all substitutes used, the Cards went to 3-4-3.

Merstham utilised the space given by the extra man with a long drive from Maan that Worner brilliantly tipped over, and a one-on-one with the keeper that Goggin allowed Jamie Hand to intercept. Matt Powell saw his slow motion shot skid inches wide after good approach work by Anane and Sam-Yorke, but neither side had much to offer in the closing seven minutes.

Woking were probably the better side in the second half and were rewarded by a 3-0 penalty shoot-out as Hand, Sam-Yorke and Gough scored. The winners now visit Farnborough FC’s Cherrrywood Road ground to take on Badshot Lea for the first time ever in the quarter finals. The winners are away in the semi-final against Sutton United or the victors of the Croydon Athletic / Crystal Palace game, who still have to play.

With most players showing for short spells, none really stood out, and consequently Jamie Hand is my choice as man of the match. He seemed to be at the heart of most of the second half play. Joe McNerney played well but didn’t really change the course of the game.

Woking (red and white halves): Ross Worner, Ricky Anane, Nicky Nicolau, Jamie Hand, Joe McNerney, Gavin Miller, Charlie Moone (Rob Carr, 80’), Billy Hussey (Matt Powell, 85’), Jamie Slabber (Aaron Gough 97’), Delano Sam-Yorke, Sam Sloma (captain)
Sub not used: Ben Head (gk)
Booked: Jamie Slabber 71’, Jamie Hand 79’

Merstham (all yellow): Ian Chatfield, James Hancock, Adam Moriarty, Jordan Anderson, Craig Vernon, Mu Maan, Liam Bellamy, Wes Goggin, Craig Carley, Billy Marshall (Chris Wright, 73’), David Smith (Carl Gibbs, 76’),

Penalties: Woking [went first]: Hand (scored); Miller (saved), Sam-Yorke (scored), Gough (scored)
Merstham : Carley (wide), Bellamy (saved), Moriarty (hit bar)

Referee: Mr N Lugg

MOTM: Jamie Hand (pictured)


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