Leatherhead FC 3 vs 2 Merton Rangers

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">SURREY COUNTY FA INTERMEDIATE CUP 1st ROUND <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Leatherhead&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Merton Rangers&nbsp; 2 <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">H-T: 1-1 <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Leatherhead progressed in the County Cup after a mixed performance against a well organised Merton Rangers side at Fetcham Grove on Sunday morning. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The home sides plans were disrupted in the opening minutes when both James Eyres (groin) and Joe Findlay (dead leg) had to leave the field injured and were replaced by Nick Leyland and Joe Peak.&nbsp; Leatherhead did not keep possession during the opening exchanges, and the plan to deliver early balls to the feet of the three strikers, Savitt, Coppin and Holman failed. It was Merton who took the lead on 22 minutes, with a good through ball giving Dodge no chance in the Leatherhead goal. Leatherhead, at last began to build some confidence by passing with greater accuracy, and the introduction of Fitzgerald and Burge paid dividends. An equaliser was brought about by a 25 yard strike from Will Ashdown, on 39 minutes, and Leatherhead finished the first half much the stronger side. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">By starting the second half in the same way Leatherhead took control of the game &ndash; Sime and Bennett were solid in central defence, and the midfield looked the stronger as the game wore on. Burge made it 2-0 on 52 minutes with a delicate shot, curling the ball into the top corner after a Joe Peak long throw and Leyland made it 3-1 with a fine solo effort that initially hit the bar, but he followed up to tap home from close range. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The game appeared settled but against the run of play, Bennett conceded an own goal, heading past the wrong footed Dodge, and the closing minutes meant Leatherhead had to focus on retaining possession to see themselves through to the next round <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Team, Ashley Dodge, Tom Dale, Matt Sime, Will Zuurbier, Joe Findlay, Will Ashdown, Nick Bennett, James Eyres, Scott Coppin, Ed Savitt, Justin Holman. Subs: Stu Burge, Nick Leyland, Steve Fitzgerald, Joe Peak <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;