Merstham persistent but have to pay for wasted chances

Chertsey Town 3.

Merstham played host to close rivals Chertsey Town in a mind- blowing and terrific performance from both sides in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier.

Merstham started extremely well with Michael Morgan taking a sharp run down the left wing just failing to find team mates inside the box.

Set pieces gave Merstham their best chances of attack, winning free headers on several occasions. Chris Read provided the home side with their first chance but struck his shot high over the crossbar.

A Chertsey counter-attack saw a shot drift wide after a vital deflection inside the box but only half chances were seen from both sides.

Merstham's next chance in the game came when Rob Hill overlapped Morgan whipping in a cross to brother Joe forcing a brilliant fingertip save by Chertsey keeper Tony Oval on to the crossbar. Continued pressure by the home side gave them the opening goal 36 minutes into play. A searing run by Morgan gave the midfielder time to look up and notice keeper Oval off his line and lob him from 30 yards producing a brilliant and well-taken goal.

Chertsey seemed to gain more confidence after going behind and soon found themselves level. A corner found Luke Moldowney at the far post gifting him an easy header just before half time; 1-1 at the break.

Both sides returned to the second half goal hungry. Two chances from Merstham's Hill brothers were wasted early on but in the 49th minute Merstham once again took the lead. A corner by Morgan found Kwabena Agyei at the near post giving him his eighth goal for Merstham so far this season.

Chertsey refused to give in to Merstham's persistence and after continued battling saw Scott Wadge level the score for the second time in the match.

Despite Merstham's determination to win the game and having a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside it was Chertsey who found their way with a 63rd minute goal and Luke Moldowney making it his second of the match. Merstham failed to get themselves back in the game ceding victory to the visitors.