Forton Start Season With Defeat.

<p>Forton Rangers 0 -2 Merriott Rovers<p>Forton kicked off the 2016/2017 season with a home fixture against a strong Merriott side.<p>Kicking up the hill in the pouring rain, Forton soon found themselves under pressure as Merriott started brightly.<p>A number of balls over the top saw the Merriott strikers flagged offside as the back four kept a good line.<p>Merriott were quick down both flanks & Forton took a while to get going.<p>Merriott took the lead after 15 minutes when the midfilder picked the ball up 25 yards from goal & hit a shot that would normally land in the clubhouse, however, on this occasion it found the top corner!! 1-0 Merriott.<p>Forton grew into the game. The strong presence of Robbie Walker hassled the Merriott backline while Wayne Long on the right, was causing the fullback problems.<p>A number of crosses came to nothing & one from the left from Craig Studley evaded everyone across the 6 yard box & Long was unable to convert at the back post.<p>The resulting corner fell to Dave "Doris" Harris who's effort hit the post. The rebound fell to Russell Gage 4 yards out for an easy tap in but the Merriott keeper pulled off a great save.<p>The ball then fell at the feet of Elliott Richards whos effort nearly went out for a throw!!<p><br><p>Half time 1-0 Merriott.<p><br><p>After an inspirational team talk from Dave Ellis & a cup of orange, Forton kicked off the second half knowing there was something in this game for them.<p>Merriott were under pressure for long periods of this half.<p>The Forton lads were pressing for that equaliser with Long still pressing down the right.<p>Following some good play on the right, Forton were awarded a free kick. A great delivery was headed goalwards by Dave Harris and was flying into the far corner. Out of nowhere Merriotts 4foot winger jumped to clear the ball off the line & away for a corner.<p>The resulting corner was again headed goalwards by Harris & again it was cleared off the line.<p>Forton continued to press & a Robbie Walker header flew just wide following a great cross from Jake Board.<p>It was going to be one of those days!!<p>Wayne Long introduced himself to the Merriott sub by taking him out across the shins, earning himself a yellow card.<p>Against the run of play, Merriott broke away & goalkeeper Adam Smith dragged down the striker on the edge of the box. A yellow card followed.<p>The freekick hit Lee Richardson in the wall but the rebound dropped kindly for the Merriott player who drilled a shot against the post.<p>Forton bombed forward & a header from Lee Richardson missed by a matter of inches.<p>With a few minutes to go, a Forton attack broke down & the ball was lumped towards the halfway line. Elliott Richards was underneath it but slipped at the last minute.<p>The Merriott striker ran on to the loose ball & rounded Adam Smith in the Forton goal to wrap up the 3 points.<p>It was a dissapointing end for Forton who on another day could of won by 3 or 4.<p><br><p>Words from the Gaffer - Dave Ellis<p>"Well done everyone. It was a good game of football in shit conditions. Any other day with a little luck we would have been looking at 3 points."<p>"Move on to the next one, the only way is up"