Match Report
Cobham 1 v 2 Merstham, League, February 17th 2008
Report by Andy.
When you're a team on a four game losing streak, edging closer and closer to the bottom of the table, the visit of run-away league leaders isn't always want you want. However, after Cobham's performance in this game against Merstham the doom-mongers have slightly less to worry about.
Sure, the home side were on the wrong side of a 1-2 scoreline but in the 2nd half they really had the visitors on the rack.
It all started as a very even affair as both teams settled down on what was a sunny but rather cold day. Merstham possibly had the two best early half chances but with Cobham's new look front line in a 451/433 formation including John Fashanu-esque Gerald Mensah bringing a bit of extra height alongside the almost as big Andy Dalehouse and the diminutive but speedy Michael Lee, the home side always posed a threat. Unfortunately, it was the away side who took the lead on 30 minutes following a poor clearance by home goalie Rory Parsons which fell to the feet of a Merstham player who moved deftly forward and struck the ball over the retreating Parsons and into the net. In a double blow for Cobham, during that move Ashley Williams managed to sustain a serious stomach injury and had to be stretchered off the pitch. The home side's Lee almost brought things level with a long range shot that flew just the wrong side of the post but it was Merstham who scored next via a cross from the right which got touched on in the centre and knocked home at the far post. Half-time 0-2.
Following the break, the home side picked up their game and really took the match to Merstham with Mensah going close with a bullet of a left footed strike, followed by a few minutes later by goal mouth scramble resulting in the ball being squeezed past the post. However, Cobham were to be rewarded for their endeavour on 55 minutes as Mark Remnant scored following good vision by Ashley Reeves providing a pin-point cross field pass. Just being a single goal behind mighty Merstham spurred the home ranks on and through Mensah, Lee and Remnant they could quite easily have got a point out of this game, perhaps even all three, if only it wasn't for the impressive Merstham goalkeeper!
Cobham team - Parsons, Rousell (sub Powell), Gurney, Gamble, Andrews, Williams (sub Reeves), Wilson (sub Hicks), Remnant(c), Mensah, Dalehouse, Lee.
