RAYNES PARK FIND APPETITE FOR GOAL.

Morden Lions 2 - Raynes Park United 4.

Goal-shy United recovered their appetite for victory with a 3-4-1-2 formation against opponents who came strong in the final quarter.

Early Lions pressure came to nothing in windy conditions with United newcomer Tony Marshall prominent in central defence. Persistence brought lone United striker Nlan Tran goals from a deflected shot and a through ball from speedy wing-back John Emery.

Second half United goals by James Vause from 30 yards over a stranded goalie and another bustling effort from Tran, resulted in Lions making substitutions and a spirited fight-back. Their players exerted considerable pressure on a resolute but tiring team, to force home two efforts, only to be frustrated by a late penalty miss which decided the result.

Old Wimbledonians III 2, Sons of the Desert 4

On a sunny March morning the OWs looked like they meant business. Attacking from the start, they soon secured a goal from the impressively energetic M Bulmer.

The team playing as a unit for most of the first half looked more than capable of extending their lead when tragedy struck.

A confused off-side trap saw two Sons of the Desert players bearing down on a lone OW defender. Despite a brave attempt by the keeper P Underwood, the ball crept into the net.

The second half saw the OWs losing the plot for a while and but for some heroic defending by the inspirational P Dunn and the ageless P Gilbert the game would have been over.

Sloppy defending from a corner saw Sons of the Desert take the lead, which finally spurred the OWs into action. Man-of-the-Match D Kirk, finally saw his attackers respond to one of his crosses. Unfortunately all the OWs' good work was undone by a stroke of bad luck when a ball meant as a cross drifted into the goal and saw the OWs once again behind.

Despite valiant efforts, especially by that man mountain D Woodward in midfield, they couldn't find an equaliser.

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