Moatsiders pick up vital win

Yesterday Merstham were announced as the victors in our AB1 Goalkeeping Golden Gloves awards for February, an all too obvious sign of improving form- and last night that improvement continued as the Moatsiders travelled to face one of their relegation rivals, Guernsey, and left the Channel Islands with three points.

Both sides were in good form. The Green Lions had moved themselves out of the bottom four with a run of one defeat in seven games, whilst their visitors had a similar record, but with more draws. Indeed, the Moatsiders have drawn more matches- thirteen- than any other side in the Pitching In Isthmian League, so they really needed three points last night- and they got them, despite a late comeback from the Channel Islanders in blustery conditions at Footes Lane.

It took only five minutes for Merstham to go ahead; Cameron Lewis-Brown first to react to a cross and forcing the ball home. Their second, on twenty four minutes, was a beauty, Aaron Goode curling a free kick over the wall then off- and under- the bar, leaving home keeper Josh Addison grasping an thin air. After the break the hosts hit back, danger man Ross Allen continually dangerous, and eventually Allen got his almost-customary goal with twelve minutes left. A great save by the golden-gloved Filip Chalupniczak kept out an Allen free kick three minutes from time, and despite six added minutes that was that- the considerable away following celebrating loudly and long into the night.

Merstham are up to seventeenth, five points from safety- and indeed five points behind their hosts and Ashford Town. It's still a considerable gap, but they have some momentum- which may make the last eight matches of the campaign rather interesting, or terrifying, depending on your allegiances!

Images from Merstham FC.

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