University 1 Merton-Mansfield 3
The epic race for promotion from Division Two took a huge twist on Friday, as Merton-Mansfield travelled to Univ’s Abingdon Road ground and came away with all three points. Before kick off, the two sides were tied on 25 points, and the meeting had been billed by the press as a potential title decider. Univ desperately needed a win to keep their promotion challenge on course, while Merton knew that any kind of result would almost certainly guarantee them the Division Two crown.
As one might expect from a game of such importance, the opening minutes were tight and tense. The home side had an unfamiliar look about it, due to the unavailability of no less than five regular starters, but still started confidently, no doubt seeking to maintain an unbeaten home run which extended well into last season. A couple of James Gingell snapshots came close, while Chris Taylor was denied only by a last gasp block, before powering a header narrowly over the bar. Minutes later, Matt Miskimmin was only inches from getting his head to a fabulous cross from Gingell. Univ were well on top, and took a deserved lead on the half hour. Mousa Baraka cut inside from the left and waltzed into the Merton box, before sweeping the ball across the keeper and into the right-hand corner.
However, if Univ thought their first goal would cause the flood gates to open, they were very much mistaken. Much of Merton’s success this season has been based on its impressive defensive record, and the away side looked determined not to concede again. Univ led 1-0 at half time, but Merton-Mansfield were beginning to feel their way back into the match. At the break Univ were weakened further by the loss of two more important players, and the home side, which took to the field for the second half, had an inexperienced look about it. This arguably showed in the next fifteen minutes. Only a brave challenge from Jack Browning prevented an immediate Merton equaliser, but the resulting corner was powerfully headed home by midfielder Sam Williams. Just minutes later, the game was turned on its head, as a decidedly offside-looking Robbie Coleman finished coolly to put the away side in front.
Univ looked shell-shocked, and, shorn of some of their most creative players, struggled to find a response. On the hour mark, Gingell created a splendid opportunity for himself, but fired just over, and the home side looked increasingly disjointed as the half wore on. They struggled on, but looked a different side to the one which had destroyed the likes of St John’s and Trinity here earlier in the season. A Univ equaliser would have kept the title race alive, but it was the away side who scored a late third, Robbie Coleman capitalising on a defensive mix-up to claim his second of the game. Merton-Mansfield celebrated wildly on the final whistle, having inflicted on Univ a first home league defeat for nearly a year. Univ on the other hand looked devastated, and must pick themselves up quickly in order to guarantee a top three finish as soon as possible. This result has again thrown the promotion race wide open. John’s took another three points from Queens, while in-form Pembroke cruised to a 5-1 win away at Trinity. With just three weeks left of the season, we are still no closer to knowing which sides will be plying their trade in Division One next season.
College football round up : 5th week, division 2
