Preview:
 
After suffering a humbling defeat under the floodlights at Carshalton Athletic in a pre-season encounter, Ewell were eager to end their run of defeats to Merton Social.
 
The Match:
 

18

RED CARD

In a potentially game defining moment, Clancy is sythed down by a high foot and the resulting red card reduces the hosts to ten men.

19

CHANCE

From the resulting free-kick, Inglis is picked out at the back post and his effort at the back post falls wide.

32

CHANCE

Inglis causes problems in the Merton box once again and this time he finds Hodge with a knock-down, but the latter’s effort fails to test the keeper.

38

CHANCE

Having enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, Ewell finally turnover possession in a dangerous area and Clancy storms towards goal before shooting narrowly wide.

42

BOOKING

Hodge earns a second successive caution following a slightly late tackle.

HALF TIME – Merton Social 0  - AFC Ewell 0

55

GOAL

Merton take the lead having hardly troubled Ransom all afternoon. Ewell deal with the initial danger from a long throw but the ball is volleyed back into the far corner following their clearance.     

60

CHANCE

Tanous connects with a volley inside the area but the effort lacks the necessary venom to beat the keeper.

68

GOAL

The home side benefit from a defensive lapse in concentration and Inglis’ under hit back pass is punished.

70

BOOKING

Chipperton is booked for his involvement in a spat with a Merton attacker.

73

GOAL

Chipperton. Assist: Kingshott. Ewell are offered a glimmer of hope as Chipperton halves Merton’s lead with an arcing strike from outside the box.  

80

GOAL

Crawford, in his attempts to recycle the ball, unwittingly presents Merton with an opportunity to extend their lead once more, one that they gratefully accept.

84

GOAL

Chipperton. Assist: Clancy. Clancy is felled in the area and Chipperton converts the penalty to set up a nervy finish.

88

CHANCE

Kingshott clips a lofted pass into the direction of Williams-Crowe, but having controlled immaculately, he is unable to find the telling connection and snatch a late equaliser for the visitors.

FULL TIME – Merton Social 3 - AFC Ewell 2

 
The verdict:
 
Ewell were left scratching their heads following their defeat to a 10 men who had profited from a couple of errors in what was otherwise an extremely even game. Whilst Ewell’s intensity perhaps dropped off following the red card, they did carve out enough opportunities to claim at least a point and yet they left emptyhanded.