Report by Jools Thomas

FC quietly bowed out of this season’s FA Trophy and whilst their performance was far from poor, the team had few answers to a Merstham side which possessed both the strength and the guile to deal with any attacking threats. The away team had far more chances and indeed the scoreline could have been greater had it not been for the woodwork.

Kyle Anthony had the first chance of the game with a looping header over the bar and a minute later a Sean Sonner cross was met by Brian Haule with away keeper Brannon Daly doing well to gather Brian’s header at the second attempt. At the other end Omar Folkes produced a speculative effort which skewed wide and on 12 minutes Brian Haule appeared to be shoved in the back whilst in the penalty area. The referee awarded no penalty and just a few seconds later, Connor Baker made Daly work for his match fees as the keeper grabbed his speculative 35 yard effort.

On 18 minutes Omar Folkes cut in and delivered a dangerous cross which the excellent Ben Stevens cut out for a corner. Nothing resulted from the corner kick at the other end however Jeanmal Prosper produced a fine delivery only to see Sean Sonner head directly at the keeper. Just before the half hour mark, Merstham produced a classy chance as Taurean Roberts fed Aaron Rhule with the Merstham forward forcing James Weatherill to make a save. The away team took the lead shortly afterwards. Fabio Savaria took a shot after being afforded vital spade and although FC keeper Weatherill got a touch, the Merstham man saw his effort creep in.

Sonny French tried to pull his team back into the game immediately. He put Daly under pressure and from the errant clearance; Sean Sonner tried a punt which flashed past the post. As the half drew to a close, the away team started to exert pressure. Prosper was robbed in possession with Adam Rhule firing in a low effort which Wetherill did well to save. From the resultant corner, away centre half Oba Obamwonyi smashed the bar against the bar with the referee signalling to end proceedings a few seconds later.

Unusually FC attacked the Berryfields end of the ground for the 2nd period and the half was just a couple of minutes old when Sean Sonner leapt to feed Brian Haule however Brian could not take advantage of the gift. A minute later the same partnership saw Haule hit his shot directly at the Merstham keeper when power and placement were the order of the day. Aylesbury were left to rue these chances as the away team doubled their lead soon afterwards. Neat build up play saw Fabio Savaria aim and pull the trigger, unleashing a powerful shot past James Weatherill.

The visitors continued to press for the vital third goal to see the game out. Omar Folkes forced Weatherill into a save before FC made wholesale changes in an attempt to get them back into the game. Brian Haule left the field to be replaced by Gareth Price and an earlier defensive reshuffle had seen Kyle Anthony pushed into midfield. Bradley Wadkins had also pushed up into an attacking midfield role leaving just Sam Bateman to support his defence. This tactic paid off with 19 minutes left to play. A cross from the right was met by Aston Goss and his delivery was slid home by Kyle Anthony to reduce the deficit.

FC failed to capitalise on this goal. Oba Obamwonyi hit a great header which Jeanmal Prosper flicked off the line and a couple of minutes later Stefan Cox hit a ferocious drive which slammed off the bar with Weatherill well beaten. With the crossbar still shaking, Savaria followed up soon afterwards as his carefully weighted shot crashed off the same woodwork as FC lived a charmed life.

A half chance for Sean Sonner was followed by a gilt edged chance to equalise with just a few minutes left to play. Aston Goss presented a wonderful opportunity to Connor Baker whose sidefoot was palmed spectacularly around the post. The final few minutes saw FC pile forward but the physical presence of Merstham coupled with an inability to find that killer ball meant the away side rode out the final few minutes and progressed into the next round.