13th February Merton 0 - 1 Old Latymerians (League) (Away) Report: This was, without doubt our worst performance of the season, and was reminiscent of some of last year’s performances that saw us relegated. The pitch was tacky but fine and we had all the players that we wanted (almost all anyway and almost all on time). So no excuses there or anywhere really. It was not a very good game and we defended competently but created nothing. Old Lats had 3 good chances and scored one after about 55 mins.One of them was well saved by Oaksey and the other was just wide. We were pretty ineffective really and created very little. Probably should have had a penalty at the beginning of the second half when Ivan was hauled down. It was a nasty game played in bad spirit and low quality. We were very poor and need to get back to basics training as ateam on Wednesday night. Team; Oaksey (GK), Jonesy, Jason, Clappers (Capt). Sherbs,(Shaun 83 mins) Cam , Woody, Al G (Tills 83 mins), Ivan, Matt B (Dan 70 mins), Willgo.
6th February Merton 3 - 0 Old Lyonians (League) (Home) Scorers: Jones, Clarke, Bosher Report: It was a very boggy pitch but despite this we got off to a cracking start with some really lively passing. In the first minute Willgo latched on a through ball just beating the keeper to it, and the ball ricocheted to Cam who tucked it away. Jonesy finsished off a good passing move with a nice strike and 5 mins after that Matty B hit a really good shot into the top corner. So that was 3-0 and just about 10 mins gone. We carried on playing some really good attacking football and Woody and Cam missed chances but all good things come to an end and after about half an hour we back to our old recalcitrant ways, hanging on to the ball, not delivering etc etc etc. To their credit Lyonians who have some very able players had not given up and kept plugging away, getting more and more of the ball in midfield and setting up a couple of chances. Browner headed brilliantly off the line at one end as they did at the other. The second half was a much more low key affair and although we continued to have the upper hand, just, both teams created chances. We kept a clean sheet and it was Jonesy who had to head off the line this time but we still had the better chances and should have had a penalty when Cam got pushed over just after Dan had been shoved. To their immense credit Lyonians battled away right till the end. Brian West reffed the game pretty well making allowances for the conditions and there were a few fruity tackles (3-3) and two bookings (1-1). Team. Oaksey (GK), Jonesey (1), Clappers (Capt), Browner, Sherbs, Cam (1), Woody (Jase 75 mins), Ivan G (Dan Hall 70 mins), Al G, Matt B (1) (Jase 75 mins), Willgo.
30th January Merton 2 - 3 Old Stationer (League) (Away) Scorers: Tilley, Gladkow A Report: This was always going to be a difficult fixture. Old Stationers is our furthest port of call in the fixture list and not near a station and we hadn’t played for six weeks. Also Old Stationers have run into a decent bit of form lately. But we seemed up for it and had a full squad present and correct for the game. Pitch was a bit frozen but playable, just. We got off to a lively start and quickly went one up when Tills ran through to head home a really good Ivan cross. Soon after that when trying to head a corner clear Clappers took a boot in the face. Whilst he was off they equalised. I was trying to patch Clappers up and did not see the goal. Clappers came back on to a different atmosphere as Stationers had got into the game and went ahead when we backed off and one of their mid field players hit a really good shot from 20 yards. We got an equaliser following a sort of scramble and Al stabbed it home. But we put them 3-2 ahead when Browner failed to do whatever improbable act he was trying to do in the 6 yard area. So half an hour gone and somewhat improbably that was the end of the scoring. We had really good chances to equalise in the 10 mins or so before half time but Clappers, Willgo and Cam missed and there may have been others. The second half was by no means dull, we dominated possession and played some nice passing but unpenetrative football. With some curious defending we created more dangerous situations in our own area than theirs. We probably did enough and had enough possession to think we deserved an equaliser and we did hit the bar in the last 5. But when i was reflecting on the game driving home (and there was plenty of time for that) it seemed that they had the better chances to score in the second half albeit on the break and we really did not create enough. I am sure we will be better for the game but we will need to be. The ref, (Cain) annoyed them (Some history there) but I thought he had a pretty good match. We were a little below standard but Woody (Bkg) was outstanding for us. Team (4-4-2) Oaksey (GK), Jonesy, Browner, Clappers (Capt), Shaun McC, Cam, Willgo,(Sherbs 80 mins) Tills, Woody, Ivan G (Matt B 60 mins), Al G (Dan Hall 75mins)
12th December Merton 2 - 0 Ibis (League) (Home) Scorers: Galdkow I, Gladkow A Report: This was a top of the table clash with us two points behind Ibis. Ibis were quickly into their stride and began with a sweeping passing move and we did much the same. But after the early exchanges we got on top and dominated the game. We played as well as we have done for a year (2009 was largely a disappointing year). Our finishing was poor but their keeper made some outstanding saves (Mainly from Wilgo). We broke the deadlock in the second half when Ali G scuffed one on target that bobbled into the corner through a ruck of players. The second goal came some 10 minutes later when Ivan G finished off a pretty good move with n unstoppable drive from 16 yards. Ivan put behind him the disappointment of Wednesday night and showed a determined focussed attitude and really deserved his goal for which he worked very hard. This was a very good all round team performance where everyone played a part. The game was well controlled by Chris O’Connor. We probably caught Ibis a little below strength and par but even so they were a well organised footballing side with some good players round the park who stuck to their task very determinedly and probably didn’t get the rub of the green. Whilst we were good value for the 2-0 win with their keeper being outstanding we should expect a different and tougher game when we visit Ibis later in the season. Team; (4-4-2) Oaksey, Jonesy, Browner, Clappers (Capt), Shaun McC, Cam, Tills, Woody, Ivan G,(Connor M 80 mins) Ali G, Wilgo. (Dan Hall 70 mins).
9th December Merton 1 - 4 Cobham (Cup) (Away) Scorer: Clarke Report: Another frustrating game for Merton on a heavy pitch. The truth is the boys in yellow never really got out of the blocks. Merton withstood early pressure and had one or two breakaway chances when Wilgo got to the byline and cut the ball back for Tilley to shoot over, then Ivan muscled his way through for a pop at goal. On nights like this we tend to leave a finger hovering over the self-destruct button, and so it was after a 10-minute spell of Merton pressure that Cobham broke away to take advantage of a misplaced pass and fire themselves in front. 1-0 at half-time. Peter H rightly dished out a rollocking and sent Merton out with determined to make something more of the game. A short-lived siege on the Cobham goal led to the ball breaking loose to Kevin on the edge of the area. His pinged cross back into the danger zone resulted in a blatant handball by their left-back, and Cam slotted the penalty home (just) in off the post. Ivan got himself in the book with some over-zealous use of his elbows, then compounded his misery minutes later with a second yellow after a rash challenge from behind. Gladkow senior walked with little complaint, and with him went Merton’s chances of a result. In between his two cards, Cobham took the lead after a defensive mistake allowed them to cross, Clappers, off balance, fired it against our bar and their forward followed in to score. At the other end of the pitch, Dan Hall came on and battled admirably up top alone. Mustard, an early substitute for Sherbs, delivered a typically energetic performance and went close late in the second half when he stormed through on goal, only for the ‘keeper to get to the ball first. Cobham proved quicker on and off the ball, though, and capitalised with two more neatly taken finishes. A disappointing (if spirited, with 10 men) performance, and a deserved result. (Graham Willgoss). Managers Comments. We were well beaten on the night by a very good side. They started really well and played some terrific passing attacking football and ripped into us. As often happens in football they did not score from their good football, their sharp forwards firing narrowly wide, but from some really poor play from us that gifted them opportunities that they put away. I was a little disappointed with our performance as I felt we could have given them a better game and a better account of ourselves. (Max H) Team, 4-4-2: Angus (GK), Shaun McC, Jonesy, Clappers (Capt.), Kevin, Tilley (Barry Hughes, 75), Al G, Sherbs (Reedy, 20), Cam, Wilgo (Dan Hall, 65), Ivan Gladkow
5th December Merton 3 - 2 Old Westminster Citz (League) (Away) Scorers: Own Goal, Bosher, Clarke Report: 'Where's Wally?' was the theme of the day. Clappers sorted the team out with last-minute replacement hats for the Christmas social in the hours before kick-off, then took to the pitch to marshall Merton to victory. So, Where Was Clappers? Everywhereas it turned out - a super performance from the skipper that saw him make several typically brave last-ditch challenges to get his side out of trouble in a game that, on balance, Merton deserved to win. Tilley, lying prone on the OWC six yard line, blocked a goal-bound effort from Sherbs early on. Wilgo should have put Merton ahead on the half-hour when the move of the game saw Bosher square the ball across the box, but Wilgo shot too close to the 'keeper, who pulled off an outstanding point-blank save. 0-0 at half-time. Merton came out with renewed vigour and Wilgo set Al G clear down the left channel. Gladkow junior was called onside (colour me stunned) and fired the ball across for OWC's left back to turn into his own net. The second followed when Shaun 'Jedward' McCulloch slipped a clever ball through to Matty Bosh on the edge of the area, and Bosh did the pass justice by cooly slotting home past the 'keeper. OWC fought their way back and made it 2-1 from a soft corner. They drew level after a move that found their scorer in a position that, as Clappers pointed out, made it "scientifically impossible" for him to be onside. Oaksey - outstanding again - made three fine saves to keep things level as OWC sensed victory, before Cam stepped up to save the day. Cam, threatening and dangerous every time he got on the ball, jinked into the OWC box and tempted the defender to make a tackle that resulted in a stone bonking pen. Cam stepped up and sorted it out for us (Carlsberg don't make penalty takers, but if they did...). 3-2 it ended. 'This was avery good win and valuable 3pts. When we went 2-0 up i thought we looked good value for it but OWC's battled back and took control of the game and got back on level terms. As they pressed for their equaliser we had spurned opportunities to wrap thegame up. But at 2-2 it could have gone either way and Cam capped a super performance with winning and scoring th e late pen.OWC's were a very good and sporting side.It was great hospitality and good atmosphere in the bar after the game. It is 4 years since we have played our local rivals and it is a really different and improved experience now.'
Team; 4-4-2: Oaksey, Shaun McC, Brown, Clappers (Capt.), Jonesy, Clarke, Tilley, Al G, Sherbs (Ivan Gladkow, 65), Wilgo (Dan Hall, 75) Bosher
28th December Merton 1 - 2 Bank of England (League) (Away) Scorer: Clapperton Report: Good Old Merton, we’ve turned inconsistency into an art form and a way of life. After a stunning performance against Ally Pally last week we were away just round the corner at our posh neighbours the Bank of England, a game we always look forward to. And we were playing on the ‘Big’ showpiece pitch. The pitch was pretty wet and boggy in the middle but no matter. Merton were at our slovenly best with more than half the players arriving late but even so we started very well and passed the ball carving out some good openings and Willgo hitting the bar after some determination to get a shot away. We had three or four good chances and it would only be a matter of time before we scored and it was...... a very long time as it happened and a lot went on before we did. After dominating play we went behind after 25 mins. The Bank broke very well out of defence and with some quick passing and a terrific finish took the lead. Shortly after that Woody limped off with a hamstring problem and the game was fairly even after that. Both sides had chances and whilst we continued to have the majority of possession we didn’t really threaten their goal that much. With about half an hour to go the Bank went 2-0 ahead with a really well struck free kick. After that the Bank fell back on defence and we attacked with all guns blazing. Clappers deflected a cross in to bring it back to 2-1. Willgo, Tills, Matt and Cam all missed good chances and in our frustration we did a few handbags but we couldn’t get the equaliser and we ended up being the Banks first league victims of the season. From the sidelines it was quite a good entertaining spectacle, fiercely competitive, and whilst we had the majority of the play it was two bits of quality from the Bank that took the points. Team. 4-4-2, Oaksey, Jonesy, Hoppy, Clappers (1) Shaun McC, Cam, Woody (Ali G 30 mins), Tills, Willgo, Dan (Sherbs 75mins), Matt B . Sub not used Browner.
21st November Merton 3 - 0 Alexandra Park (League) (Home) Scorers: Hall, Tilley, Clarke Report: Woody set the tone for this one with a bone-crunching tackle in the middle of the park on Ally Park's livewire danger man, and inspired the rest of a motivated Merton side to follow suit in a fiery encounter. Tilley also led by example and battled admirably in the middle, but was eventually booked for a challenge that was, by his own admission, a little bit naughty. The early pressure was all from Merton, and when a defence-splitting pass from Wilgo put Matt Bosher clear, Bosh beat the 'keeper but his shot edged agonisingly past the outside of the post. Still, some work to do at he back, and a brave save from Sherbs at the feet of AP's forward kept the scores level. A super match from Sherbs between the sticks - exemplary handling throughout resulting in a confident defensive display all round. Clappers and Hoppy formed a seemingly unbeatable unit at the back and Truit reinforced things further with an impressively steady debut after Jonesy was forced off injured. Great play from Cam and Woody down the left worked the ball into the area for Bosh, who squared to Big Dan Hall. Dan dropped his shoulder, let the ball run across his body and smashed it beyond the 'keeper high into the net. Another robust challenge from Woody led to AP's right winger running 40 yards to shove him over (and nailed on a new moniker for Woody: The REDUCER). Woody in the book for the challenge, AP down to 10 after their man raised his hands. Then some quick thinking from Woody after an Ally Pally corner put Dan Hall clean through on the half way line, but Dan, ignoring support from Bosh, made a beeline for the goalkeeper and his shot was saved. Shaun McC ('I didn't go out last night, I stayed in and watched X-Factor' - er, it's a Saturday night show, Shaun) followed in and blazed wide. It was one of several gilt-edged chances missed when Merton should have scored. 1-0 at half time. Merton came out for the second half looking to make the game safe, and Tilley capped a fine performance with a glancing header from a direct ball into the box from Shaun McC. Wilgo should have capped the move of the match with a goal but hit the post after a one-two with Dan Hall. Cam then ensured the three points with a goal direct from a wicked corner. A great performance, and a deserved victory. Let's build from here.
Team, 4-4-2: Sherbs (GK), Shaun McCulloch, Clappers (capt.), Hoppy, Jonesy (Truit, 30 mins), Cam, Tilley, Woody, Wilgo, Bosher, Dan Hall
14th November Merton 0 - 2 Carshalton (Cup) (Home) Report: A filthy day of cold rain and strong winds in the London borough of Merton (you did well to miss this one, Max) provided the setting for a game that, to put it kindly, was far from a classic. Both sides found it hard to control the ball on a slick surface that would have been perfect for football were it not for the blowing gale. The match was played in a competitive, but - unusually for one between these two sides - clean manner. The highlights, of which there were few, went something like this: Shaun McCulloch had a stinging shot from outside the box pawed around the post after some intricate build up play between Woody, Al G and Wilgo. Dan Hall hit the bar from a header that the wind made it difficult to get any power or direction into. 0-0 at half time. In the second half, Woody barrelled through the defence and was tugged back for what was surely a penalty, but the referee made a baffling decision to play 'advantage' when Merton's shiny-headed midfield dynamo skewed his shot wide under unfair pressure. Few clear-cut chances for either side in the second half until, with 15 minutes to go, Carshalton took the lead from a well-taken header that Angus in goal could do little about. Merton, driven by a stand-out performance from Clappers in the middle, pushed forward looking for the equaliser, but were wasteful with set pieces after working themselves into good positions (no names mentioned, Woody and Al G). Carshalton were fortunate to grab a second late on after a seriously questionnable offside call left their forward to squeeze in from a tight angle. The game was otherwise well refereed by the man in black and his two militant linesmen. Another cup adventure brought to an early close - we need to get back to winning ways in the league next week. Bring on Ibis. Team 4-4-2; Angus Lees (GK), Jonesy, Hoppy, Browner, Shaun McC (Sherbs, 80), Barry Hughes (Dave Warren, 65mins), Woody, Clappers (Capt), Willgo, Dan Hall (Ivan Gladkow, 70 mins), Al G.
7th November Merton 0 - 4 Old Meadonians (Cup) (Home) Report: We were comprehensively knocked out of the top cup competition by a very strong side from the AFC Premier division. They went ahead after only a couple of minutes. We did not press the ball and a cross was flicked home at the near post with no marking. We rallied a bit and got a couple of moves together with Woody firing narrowly wide but they always looked dangerous on the break. They went 2-0 up on 20 mins when they got a penalty when Oaksey knocked over their striker. We did not give up and rallied. They gave away quite a few free kicks in good positions and with Cam and Woody delivering the ball well we came very close to scoring on a couple of occasions. A rallying motivational talk at half time from the manager had the desired effect and we were soon 3-0 down, a cross and header. We continued to pass and play but we did not get much change close to goal where their defence dealt pretty well with anything from open play. I thought we had a great shout for a penalty (still do) but it was not given. I rather lost it at that point. Set a very bad example and I have apologised to the ref. (I probably need to change my medication on Saturdays in future). Another goal made it 4-0 and brave and successful attempts by Oaksey to stop it becoming five resulted in him being carried off. ( He may be out for few weeks). Shaun went in goal for the last 10 minutes and we had a few good shots at goal when we were down to 10. It was alovely afternoon for football and the pitch played quite well benefitting from the rain. Old Meadonians were a very good well organised side with 3 or 4 outstanding players. They thoroughly deserved the win. However at times we played some good passing football and were dangerous from set pieces particularly in the first half and we didn’t give up. It is the Cup again on Saturday coming with a home tie against Carshalton, which wont be easy. Our Floodlit cup match in Round 3 of the Surrey premier Cup is on Wednesday 2nd December at 7.45 at Cobham. Team. (4-4-2), Oaksey (Shaun McC), Jonesy, Clappers, Browner, Shaun McC, Cam, Tills, Woody, Sherbs (Alex G 65 mins), Matt B, Willgo,
3rd November Merton 1 - 0 Chessington & Hook (Cup) (Away) Scorer: Clarke Report: This was a very good win against a very good side. It is a competition that we always look forward to as it is a bit of a novelty in that it is a midweek floodlit fixture and so it was a little disappointing to have some of our regulars missing recovering from Saturdays knocks but we took a strong squad to Chalky Lane. The afternoon downpour had left its mark and the pitch was very wet. We started the better. Willgo was played through by Sherbs after only 5 mins but given offside,( close but on), and tripped for a penalty on half an hour, not given. They had their chances but we looked a little more likely to score. Our goal came when their keeper under pressure from Dan picked up a back pass halting a Willgo run. The indirect free kick from 10 yards was tapped to Cam who buried it in the roof of the net. But we hadn’t waited for the whistle and this was just a dress rehearsal for the real thing and Cam repeated the skill to make it 1-0. I thought we were good value for our lead with Lofty and Clappers winning the ball and using it well. The second half was a completely different affair. Chessy came out and passed the ball, moved it about quickly and supported one another getting the ball wide and getting it into the danger areas. It was good to watch and for most of the second half we were outplayed with only isolated breaks. The fact that they did not score was down to some heroic goalkeeping from Angus who made a tremendous double saves and a few others along the way and some heroic siege defending and last ditch tackles from what became our back 8 as we were pinned back. They missed a couple of headers where they should probably have done better. Everybody gave their all and we held out for a very pleasing win. The game was well controlled by Ricky Green and his two linos. The game was played in a very good spirit. There were no nasty tackles, although two of our players were booked, Clappers for being Clappers and Dan for not letting them take a free kick. This gives us a third round tie against Cobham in early December. We have two very tough cup games coming up in successive weeks, Old Meadonians, a top side from the AFC this Saturday and Carshalton, currently top of Division 2 of the SAL, on Nov 14th at home. Well done to everyone including all the helpers and supporters. Team 4-4-2; Angus Lees(GK), Jonesy, Hoppy, Browner, Shaun McC, Cam (1), Lofty (Tills 70 mins), Clappers (Capt), Sherbs (Ali 80mins) , Willgo, Dan Hall (Dave Warren 60mins).
31st October Merton 1 - 1 Old Latymerains (League) (Home) Scorer: Wood Report: We failed to take all three points against a determined Old Lats side. We had the majority of chancesand dominated the territorially in the first half. But we failed to take advantage of this and we created very little from open play and it was set pieces that gave us our best chances. W went narrowly wide with headers from corners and free kicks. But on the break Old Lats came very close to scoring and Angus made a good reaction save. The second half continued much as the first but with Old Lats even more dangerous on the break and our key players squandering good possession and failing to deliver any dangerous crosses other than from set pieces. We did go ahead when Woody forced home a corner but Old Lats rallied. Their mid-field had been outstanding and their equaliser cam from a great 25 yard strike into the top left hand corner. With 10 mins to go the game could have gone either way and a draw was the outcome. We were left regretting hitting the post 3 times but it would be difficult to say that Old Lats didn’t deserve something. The game was refereed by Dave Littler who had a pretty good game although Old Lats probably thought they didn’t get the best of the decisions. The game was played in pretty good spirit with only one bad tackle and that was down to us. We need to work much harder on passing and moving and not giving the ball away. Team (4-4-2) Angus, Jonesy, Browner, Hoppy, Shaun McC, Cam, Clappers (Capt), Woody (1), Ali (Dan Hall 65 mins), Matt B (Sherbs 75 mins), Graham Willgoss.
24th October Merton 5 - 0 Southgate Olympic (League) (Away) Scorers: Wood 3, Clapperton, Bosher Report: The day didn’t start too well with a weather forecast of rain and the AA predicting traffic chaos because of half term and us off to North London on a bus. The usual friustrating wait for the last player who is always the optimistic 5 mins away and then off for an OK journey but still 2 hrs to Southgate. We arrived with half an hour to spare and linked up with the rest of the team who chose to be messed about by TLR. We got straight into our rhythm with a good passing move and Willgo shooting ( Yes I jest not)from 16 yards narrowly wide. They responded in kind with some good passing football but i felt we had the edge and looked the most likely. Our first goal came from a beautifully flighted Cam corner that Woody headed powerfully home. 2 nil up at half time courtesy of another Cam corner and an awesome near post decoy run by Clappers that disturbed everyone on the pitch and left Woody to slide in his second. Woody completed his hat trick (his first for Merton)early in the second half with another great Cam delivery from a free kick and Woody out jumping their keeper to head home. The close encounter with Woody’s bald head was too much for the keeper who subbed himself and went to repair in the bar. From this point Southgate rallied and competed even harder and had a good spell of play creating but not taking chances and passing the ball around. Our 4th goal came from Matt chasing down their keeper and intercepting a clearance and Clappers sliding home another Cam cross. This was a good team performance against Southgate who at the start of the day were level on points with us and always a battling side with some good players. We moved the ball about pretty well and delivered well into the box. The game was well controlled by David Chapman who got a lot of decisions right but I felt was a little lenient. Southgate are a club very similar to Merton, it was their centenary last year, they rent council pitches and don’t get any outside help. Despite the journey it is a good place to go: it is Amateur Football surviving like Merton against the odds. Team 4-4-2 Oaksey, Shaun McC, Clappers Capt (1), Browner, Jonesy, Cam, Bald Eagle (3) (Dan Hall 70mins) Al, Ali, Willgo, Matt (1) (Lewis 80 mins)
10th October Merton 2 - 3 Alexandra Park (League) (Away) Scorers: Warren, Clarke (pen) Report: The BBC's first high-definition public television broadcast, as Terry explained to the Merton team bus, was hosted by Alexandra Palace in 1936. But it was a static Merton side that never really switched on after spending two hours meandering through the backstreets of London, only to arrive to face an opposition who wanted the game that little bit more. In our change blue strip, Merton seemed to suffer a collective lack of confidence dealing with the long ball, letting the ball bounce and standing off to allow Ally Pally's tricky, zippy forward line to do the damage. Time and again Oakesy's heroics repelled Ally Pally as they carved out numerous opportunities on goal, and the boys in orange hit the bar with a walloping volley early on. Driven by Ali G's, Ali K's and Tilley's determination in the middle, Merton looked brighter going forward, however. Cam went close after Wilgo beat his man and cut the ball back from the byline, and a similar move saw Wilgo collect a neat pass from Shaun McCulloch, skin the defender and fire a low ball into the danger area that was met by Dave Warren for a debut goal in off the post. Sloppy marking from a corner let Ally Pally back in after a concerted period of pressure and a string of top-draw saves from Oakesy. Jonesy put in a sensational last-ditch tackle with a stretching block on the livewire 17 to prevent further damage. Ally Pally went a goal ahead midway through the second half, but, organised by Browner at the back, Merton looked brighter in patches and Woody nearly equalised from a break after Wilgo put him through. A tackle to match Jonesy's effort in the first half kept the score at 2-1. Jonesy was then the victim of a savage tackle that the Beeb would think twice about broadcasting after the watershed. Incredibly, the guilty party was allowed to get away without so much as a rebuke from the ref, who point-blank refused to even talk to the Ally Pally player. Retribution arrived when Cam equalised with a penalty he whipped into the top corner after Woody made a nuisance of himself in the area and forced the foul. Oakesy then made the save of the day with a finger-tip push round the post from a goal-bound shot, and Simon Head came on and flung himself into two bone-crunching challenges. An outrageously-soft free-kick decision allowed Ally Pally to loop the ball over the wall to regain the lead, however, as Merton were again left exposed. Jonesy almost deservedly made himself a hero and salvaged a point at the death after he and Browner collectively connected with a Wilgo flick on from Sherbs' throw. The Ally Pally boys said afterwards that this was their biggest game of the season. Merton need to evoke more of the same fighting spirit when they come to Jo Hood later in the season. Team (4-4-2) Oakesy, Shaun McC, Dave Warren (15), Pete Brown, Jonesy, Ali Kara (Simon Head, 72 mins), Alex G, Tilley (Sherbs 55 mins), Ali Kara, Woody, Cameron Clark (pen, 74), Wilgo
3rd October Merton 2 - 1 AET Old Pauline (Cup) (Away) Scorers: Kara, Bosher Report: AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup Prelim Round This was a very close affair and the AFC opposition were probably the best side we have played this season. It was a very even game and although we had chances in the first half and the majority of possession Old Paulines passed the ball well and played through midfield well. However their best chances came from the long ball and that is how they took the lead after about 15 mins with a ball over the top of our defence. After that we dominated and they seemed to fall back on defending that lead. We played, sometimes overplayed, some good football and missed some chances. They defended determinedly and it was not till the 70 min we equalised. An inspirational substitution brought Ali on who headed the equaliser with virtually his first touch from a great Woody cross. Extra time was a battle of tired bodies but Matt forced the ball home after a corner and we held on to win. This is a good cup competition and we have a home draw to Carshalton in the next round. But its back to the league next week with a trip to Ally Pally (1st against 2nd in Div 3), an important game for us. Team (4-4-2) Oaksey, Shaun McC, Browner, Clappers, Jonesy, Cam (Ali 70 mins), Tills (Sherbs 100 mins),Woody, Al, Matt, Willgo,
26th September Merton 1 - 0 Old Stationers (League) (Home) Scorer: Wilgoss Report: Another win but this was a very different performance from the week before. Old Stationers finished bottom of Division 3 last year but showed a lot of determination in this match and maintained shape and form throughout. Although we had the upper hand for most of the game it was very tight. We didn’t pass the ball as fluently as last week and a lot of our moves broke down on the edge of the box from flicks and close passes or the extra touch. Still we stuck at it and what was to prove the winning goal came in about the 65th minute when Woody played a great ball to Cam on the left who, in turn played a great cross in and Willgo got on the end of it. There then followed a goalmouth scramble and Willgo forced it over the line. After that Old Stationers had their best spell and a really good move on the break was probably their best chance of the game but their strike r shot across the face of the goal and just wide. We had an excellent chance in the final minutes when Conor Murphy played Dan Hall in but it was cleared off the line. There were some really good performances on our side, Hoppy making his debut put in a solid performance, Clappers showed good leadership, Al covered a lot of ground and worked tirelessly, Cam and Woody showed why we had missed them last season. The game was firmly controlled by Refereee Keith Conder who was pretty fair. I thought we had just the usual two nailed on penalties turned down. It is the cup next week and it will be a difficult game away to Old Paulines (AFC) but at least it is fairly local and we only have to go to Thames Ditton. We have 7pts from our three league games which is an OK start and i hope we can improve on this as we start to get our players back and into our rhythm. Team 4-4-2 - Oaksey (GK), Shaun McC, Hoppy, Clappers (Capt.), Jonesy, Sherbs (Cam 55mins), Al, Ali,(Connor Murphy (80mins) Woody, Willgo (Goal 65mins), Dan Hall.
19th September Merton 6 - 0 Old Lyonians (League) (Away) Scorers: A Gladkow, McCulloch, Hall, Woods, Bosher, Head Report: The journey was awful 2½ hours to drive to Harrow. With our central defenders missing and our keeper we had a makeshift look to the line up. I have a theory that caging footballers up in a traffic jam is a better preparation that a good team talk. So we started (KO delayed to 3.30 so we will be fined) and immediately got on top. We failed as we so often have to convert that dominance into goals and the opposition got into the game and created a couple of chances but the defence coped. Soon a somewhat fortuitous deflection from a free kick taken By Ali G gave us the lead. Then Shaun McC made a mazy run from the half way line shaking off defenders and all sorts of things like a hangover to fire home to make it 2-0. It was soon 3-0 with MattB firing home after another good move and Dan heading home from a Willgo cross. The fact was that we had played some pretty good stuff, Woody and Willgo were creating a lot and Tills was giving driving support. The defence was solid and Kevin and Clappers won a lot of the aerial stuff. Sherbs press ganged into keeping made a couple of tidy saves. Destabilised by our comfortable lead we managed to have a bit of an internal row. A well deserved lead at half time and the second half was pretty similar. Old Ls battled hard and tried to get into the game and the second half was much more even. We still created a lot of good chances and a good break on the left with a cross that left Woody clear to fire home and then another move put Matty free and Simon Head bravely headed home for a debut goal. This was a very good team performance and we carried on from where we had left off last Saturday with our second half recovery. This was our first win for Six months and it has been a difficult and frustrating time for the players and the supporters who have stuck with it but on Saturday night it all seemed worthwhile. The ref Hallinson did pretty well and Old Ls battled to the end and had some good players out there but it was not their day. Matt and Jonesy were booked. Team 4-4-2: Sherbs (GK), Shaun McC, Kevin Wood, Clappers, Jonesy (Simon Head 70 mins), Tills (Ali 75 mins), Woody, Al G, Willgo Dan Hall, Matt B.
12th September Merton 2 - 2 South Bank Cuaco (League) (Home) Scorers: Wilgoss, Jones (pen) Report: Not a great start to the day or the game with absentees, cry offs and injuries and it felt like we were carrying on as we left off last season. But when the team got out on the pitch we settled down with a new look team and played quite well for about 20 minutes. Then South Bank got into the game and had some quick attacking moves. They hit the post but went ahead after 35 minutes when they broke very quickly on the counter attack and passed the ball well for a good finish. A few minutes later we failed to close down one of their midfielders and he picked his spot from 25 yards giving Oaksey no chance. So 2 nil down at half time and it really was feeling like last season. Clappers gave the lads a good talking to and named and shamed. Merton came out in the second half and really battled. We put together some good moves and created some excellent chances. Unlucky when a powerful Browner header was adjudged not to have crossed the line. Soon the first goal came when Willgo fired home through a crowded box. Then it was ‘The Alamo’ as their keeper foretold. We continued to press hard with well delivered corners and free kicks from Jonesy and Woody, who was having his first full game since January and made a big difference to our mid field. But with some excellent saves and the denial of one or two good penalty claims (they had a shout for one too) our equaliser came well into injury time when the defender handled from a corner and Jonesy, held his nerve and scored from the spot. A share of the points and I expect both teams felt they should have had three. There was in the end quite a lot of encouraging signs. It was a very good rallying team performance in the second half that we need to continue with next week over 90 minutes. Team (4-4-2) Oaksey, Sherbs, Clappers, Browner, Jonesy (92 mins Pen), Willgo (55mins), Ali (Dale 70 mins), Woody, Shaun McC, Dan H,(Simon Murphy 70 mins) Ali G. Sub not used Connor Murphy.
