New Marske 0 Kirk Merrington 1
The manager made a number of changes for this home game so it was going to be interesting to see how the new look team would perform against a team riding high in the table, who had scored a lot of goals this season.
The game started off with both teams pushing forward, but it was KM who got the first shot at goal when a midfielder got a couple of yards of space before unleashing a powerful shot from about 28 yards that only just went over the bar. A sign of their intentions at a guess.
Shortly after was our first shot at goal, when Matthew robbed a KM player on the right and whipped his cross in, where Ben Leaper hit his shot towards goal. He didn't quite connect fully as the ball went wide of the goal. His second shot followed as the ball was played forward, but the lack of power meant the keeper wasn't troubled.
Applying pressure to try and win the ball
On 12 minutes we had our best chance of the game so far, when we picked the b all up from a KM goal kick. Some nice passing between Ben Hubbard and Conor, saw Conor put through but he sliced his shot as he hit the ball. A great chance not taken. Considering the amount of changes to the team our performance was very good, with everybody battling for the ball, to deny KM room.
A free kick by Dougy outside the box for a push, was followed by some really good defending as KM tried to work an opening inside the box. On 19 minutes, Dean had to deal with the first KM shot on target, which he did comfortably. We were awarded a free kick just outside the box on the right in a really dangerous position. Liam lined it up but unfortunately his shot sailed high, wide and handsome. That was a good position to open the scoring from.
A long, high ball into the box on 22 minutes caused KM a few problems, as they cleared the ball a couple of times, only to see it keep coming back in. Although the pressure was on they dealt with it eventually and cleared the ball. On 27 minutes we were very nearly in for the opening goal. The keeper came out to pick up the ball, but didn't get there as Ben Leaper niped in and took it off his toes, before the ball was knocked out for a corner.
A reasonable attempt at levitation...
Half an hour had now passed and the performance by us was excellent, against a team pushing for promotion. That was until a ball into the box saw Dougy and Dean both go the ball, and Dean got caught in no mans land as the ball somehow bounced underneath him and into the net. 0-1 to KM. A very harsh goal for us to concede after playing so well in the opening half an hour.
A minute later we should have had an equaliser, after some lovely football down the left hand side.Jack played the ball to Ben Hubbard, who put a lovely ball to Conor, who in a brilliant position to equalise, spooned the ball past the post. It was a great move that deserved a goal.
But no where near as good as this...
KM nearly doubled there lead when from a corner, the ball finally was hit in hard, and the ball bounced off the bar and out for a goal kick. From a corner to us, KM broke away and a couple of evaded challenges saw a KM player through on goal, only for him to hit his shot past the post for the final chance of the half.
Half time: New Marske 0 - Kirk Merrington 1
After a really good performance by us in the first half, the question was, could we keep it going in the second half? The team that played n the first half lined up for the second half also.
Still trying though
Straight from the kick off we were on the attack pushing KM back towards there own goal. On 41 minutes KM won another free kick. The shot was well hit and bounced right in front of Dean, who was forced to tip the ball out for a corner. The corner was knocked out by us, only for a shot to come in and once more rattle the bar. KM were getting on top as they were not being closed down in midfield.
After our efforts of the first half KM were starting to get a bit more space in the midfield area in front of the defence, as we looked like we were tiring a little bit. We did push KM back when we managed to win a corner. A great ball in found Joe unmaked, and as he headed the ball we waited for the net to bulge. However, instead of going goalward, he somehow managed to head the ball into the ground and onto the post. The ball bounced out to Matty, who saw his shot go over the bar. So close to the equaliser.
You gotta jump
More pressure from us caught KM dallying at the back, allowing Greg to hit a shot goalward. Well, when I say goalward, it went well over the bar but very nearly knocked a cyclist off his bike. Ben Hubbard was replaced, as Danny stepped into the game. Within 20 seconds of getting on the pitch, Danny had his first shot at goal, a sign of things to come? Shortly after Conor came off to be replaced by Frank.
We sloppily conceded a free kick in a very poor position for us, about 5 yards outside the box and central. The KM free kick was very poorly hit, more like a pass back to the keeper. This allowed Dean to launch the ball upfield where an attempted clearance hit another KM defender in the face, allowing the ball to ball for Frank. His subsequent shot looked like it had gone in, but instead it rolled agonisingly wide of the goal.
You don't have to be big to win headers though
Another two subs followed as Liam and Ben Leaper came off to be replaced by Johnny.and Ryan. KM started attacking us down the right, pushing us back, although we defended their efforts well. Jack was called on to stop the next attack when it looked like they were through on goal, with a long clearance up field. A KM free kick on the right was once more cleared without any problem, before we won a corner, coming as Johnny looked like he was through on gosl after some neat foot work. The corner went right across the box, without anybody able to get on the end of it.
A free kick to us near the touch line was taken by Danny, but the resultant effort was very poor as it went well off target for a goal kick. The final period of the game saw us penned in our half a bit too much with us unable to get pressure onto KM. A late flouish wasn't enough as KM held on to take the three points.
Final Score: New Marske 0 Kirk Merrington 1
MOTM:- : Joe Harvey