Ryman League Division One South
Horsham 0 Merstham 1
FOR a successive game, Fabio Saraiva turned out to be the match-winner for Merstham in a match low on quality but high in attrition.
With the Moatsiders' recent unbeaten run making them the undoubted favourites for the match, the visitors came to Horsham looking to build on their excellent win against Guernsey at the weekend.
With both teams' uncompromising approach to the game, it was no surprise that the first half was low on clear-cut chances.
The Moatsider's midfield was struggling to supply Tommy Hutchings up front and the normally lively Sam Tucknott, replacing the injured Aaron Rhule, was finding it difficult to build up any momentum on the wing.
Horsham, on the back of their own mini unbeaten run, were not going to give their visitors an easy time and with the physical presence of Junior Kaffo, the home team always had the ability to make life uncomfortable for Merstham's defence.
In fact Horsham had the first real chance on goal in the 26th minute when former Moatsider Ashley Robinson was found by a long pass. Although the player looked suspiciously offside, the linesman did not flag and Brannon Daly came rushing off his line to smother the danger.
As the half went on, the most likely route to goal for Merstham was coming down the left hand side with both Taurean Roberts and Jordan Johnson causing problems. Just before the half-time whistle went, Roberts had a good chance to break the deadlock but his shot, after cutting in from the left, went sailing over the bar.
Merstham went into the half-time break knowing that they had dominated the half but had nothing to show for their endeavours.
The hosts came out for the second half livelier than their visitors and carved out a couple of half chances for both Ross Morley and Kaffo before a double substitution on the hour mark for Merstham helped to turn the tide.
Omar Folkes and Gerry Gonnell were introduced, replacing Tucknott and George Craddock, and the fresh legs helped to give the visitors the edge on their hosts. Six minutes after the substitutions Merstham broke the deadlock.
Horsham's Lewis Hamilton lost possession on the edge of his penalty box. The incoming cross was not dealt with by the home defence and, even though Roberts mis-hit the ball back across the face of goal, Saraiva was there to guide his shot in. The goal spurred on the Moatsider's who were now making all the running.
Hutchings had a thunderbolt of a free-kick palmed away by Horsham keeper Mark Zawadski in the 83rd minute and Tutu Henriques headed over from the resultant corner.
Folkes was also getting in on the act and his turn and shot narrowly cleared the crossbar as the clock ticked down. For all of Merstham's dominance however, the game could still have ended all square if Ryan Woodford's goal-bound effort in the 90th minute hadn't been blocked by what seemed like the entire Merstham backline.
The result sees Merstham continue their excellent run of form lifting them up to eighth in the league. However with only 11 games of the league season left to play, the Moatsider's will have their work cut out to get into the play-off places, but with this group of players and manager the feeling now is that anything is possible.
Talking after the game Merstham manager Hayden Bird said "It wasn't pretty but an important three points. It would have been easy to rest on our laurels after the weekend's result, but we were determined to build on the victory at Guernsey. Although we were careless in possession, we were organised, spirited and patient. One goal always looked destined to win the game and I am thrilled we have won again".
Merstham Man of the Match: Liam Harwood
Team: Brannon Daly, Michael Maynard-Abnett, Jordan Johnson, David Graves, Liam Harwood (C), George Craddock (Gerry Gonnella), Taurean Roberts (Rob Carter), Tutu Henriques, Tommy Hutchings, Fabio Saraiva, Sam Tucknott (Omar Folkes)
Unused Subs: Aaron Rhule, Shane Stroud
