Three's fightback stuns Feltham
Having won their opening game at home to AFC Kingston, Merton Social III travelled to Feltham Rangers top of the league and in good spirirts. This fixture last season had been one to forget for the Soche having lost the game 6-1, but there was an air of optimism going in to this game and a sense that there were points to be won here.
Merton started the game the better side and were having a lot of joy in wide areas, with TK and Ludo causing the full-backs problems early on. A couple of half chances ensued, while the back four were largely untroubled. A poor kick out from stand-in 'keeper John presented Feltham with the chance to go 1-0 up which they took, their striker finding the far corner with John still off his line.
The goal came completely against the run of play, but Merton responded well and continued to go close with Tom Leach forcing an excellent save from range on the stroke of half-time. Despite an excellent first half display, the Soche somehow still went in at the break a goal down.
If Feltham couldn't believe their luck at half-time, they certainly couldn't when they found themselves 2-0 up having caught Merton with a quick counter attack down the right hand side early on in the second half. Last season heads might have dropped, but there was still a belief amongst the Merton players that they could get something from this game and the lads responded well.
After TK's corner was headed clear, Rob fired the ball back out to him with an excellent first time pass and he drove past the full-back before his cut-back was diverted in by the defender to give the Soche a lifeline. 2-1.
Feltham, now clearly rattled, were time wasting at every opportunity and desperately wanting the final whistle. Unfortunately for them, it didn't come soon enough, and with just 5 minutes left to play, Tom Leach finished off a lovely passing move to draw the Soche level.
One point might have been three as captain Jack Dowell scuffed a decent chance with the last kick of the game, and although at 2-0 this was undoubtedly a good result, there was still a feeling at full-time that Merton could have won the game.
FT: 2-2
Goals: OG, Tom L
MOM: Stu
