Month: January 2018

NAME: Tyron Fuller

TEAM: Mighty Merton 6’s

POSITION: Centre Midfield 

BIRTH DATE: 12/02/1983

BIRTH PLACE: Sutton

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Too many to mention!!!

---

 

1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?

I like to think I’m very laid back and take things in my stride (Kev, Rat and Ackers are likely to disagree).

Enjoy watching and playing most sports, a bit of fishing and enjoy going to my Church that is Stamford Bridge.

 

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?

I actually played for Merton many moons ago on a Sunday. I had friends in the youth team and joined for the first season in Men’s Football (We romped to a league victory). During that time played one game for the 2nds on Saturday and somehow bagged 2 goals but the Sunday team left the Merton set up and that was that.

Years later the likes of Ackers, Rat and Kev were joining the club, after not playing for many years I thought I’d give it ago. My attempted comeback was a failure as I was recovering from a DVT and my Fitness was shocking, simply put I couldn’t move without getting injured. I went away, lost 2 stone and came to give it another go.

 

 

3. What do you like most about Merton FC?

It’s a club you come to and feel welcome. We are all in it to win but away from the pitch you have that mates mentality. It’s more than football.

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?

 Chelsea, my only true love.

 

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

I never put my shin pads in my socks until the game is starting, always wear two pairs of socks and the top pair cover my knees!

 

6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.

Simple, we want that league title in the 6’s. If we keep winning it’s in our hands, our danger is missing players and some injuries we have had recently.

 

Cup final could be on the cards! Double on its way??
 

---

RAPID FIRE:

Favourite Player (at Merton, or in professional football):

Merton – Kev (We have a love hate relationship on and off the pitch). Professional – Eden Hazard

Childhood Team: Corinthian Causals

Favourite team in the UK: Chelsea 

Favourite team outside the UK: AC Milan

Childhood Hero: Dennis Wise

Favourite Food: Toad in the Hole

Favourite Drink: Heineken 

Favourite Band: Oasis

NAME: Peter Quainton

TEAM: 2’s

POSITION: RB/RWB

BIRTH DATE: 17/06/1993

BIRTH PLACE: Ascot

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

Chippenham town youth, University of west London Spartans

---

 

1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?

When not playing football am spend a lot of my time in the gym or video gaming, probably more video gaming. Spend a lot of time with friends and family, as well as my fiancé’s family. I’ll be getting married in July of this year.

 

 

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?

Before ever moving to London I came along to help out as the only sub in a 2’s game. DQ brought me along as there were no other available players. The score in that game ended up something like 6-0 to Merton, 3-0 after the first half….. I never got subbed on. Upon moving to London DQ assured me that it would be different if I joined the club.

In my first couple of years at Merton, whilst being a Uni student, I wasn’t the most reliable of players, in terms of turning up to games, understandably it didn’t give me the greatest of reputations in the club. I left London after Uni and moved back in with the Parents before returning to London for work, and rejoining Merton FC. This time, things are different! Im back with a better attitude, a little more grown up and definitely enjoying football more. So in all I would credit DQ with getting me to join Merton FC.

 

 

3. What do you like most about Merton FC?

Throughout the club everyone is pretty close knit and the whastapp groups are always a great source of top quality entertainment.

 

 

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?

 

It’s an obvious pick for me, if I were to choose a professional team to play for it would be Liverpool and only Liverpool. Stuck with them as an avid supporter since a very young age, again credit to DQ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

I wouldn’t say I have any rituals or superstitions although I really dislike playing without undershorts, have to have that secure feeling.

 

 

 

6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.

My personal goal for this year is to get on the score sheet for the 2’s, I feel it won’t be too long.

 

---

RAPID FIRE:

Favourite Player (at Merton, or in professional football): Steven Gerrard, but Firmino is quickly becoming a favourite of mine

Childhood Team: Liverpool

Favourite team in the UK: Liverpool

Favourite team outside the UK: Atlètico Madrid

Childhood Hero: DQ, he is also my Godfather

Favourite Food: Sushi

Favourite Drink: Apple Juice

Favourite Band: Foo fighters

W e were home to Polytechnic in the cup which in fact involved us playing away at their ground because
the Hood was very wet.
We had a strong squad of 14. Everyone was there in plenty of time, which doesn’t mean on time for Jonny
and Chaz, but still in plenty of time. The pitch was in good condition and the sun was out. What could go
wrong?
We started well against a div 1 side who won the treble last year. They had us under pressure but we were
defending well. That quickly ended. Harrison fluffed a clearance against their midfielder which put him
clear behind our back line. Siri looked at him approaching, thought about coming, looked at him again,
thought about coming again, looked for a third time and then came. By now it was a 50/50 which ended
with the midfielder being upended and the ref awarding a penalty. Probably the only time in Siri’s everyday
life that he wished he’d come early.
Our stuttering star redeemed himself with a fantastic double save and we lived to fight another day. But
not for long!
About 15 minutes in Poly had yet another corner which again was brilliantly delivered. They hit the post
and then there was a goalmouth scramble which ended with a very hard shot from about four yards out.
I was stood on the line and instinctively lent towards the ball and then even more instinctively bent my
elbow, which the ball then hit. Penalty number two and a red card for me!
Siri didn’t save this one.
The rest of the half was a fantastic rearguard action. Browner stepped into centre back to superbly cover
both the loss of me and the seeming loss of Harrison’s ability. To be fair this was his first bad game in a
Merton shirt. Van dropped well in to right back, a sign of the future, and everyone ran their socks off. At half
time it was still just the 1-0 and we felt confident of more of the same in second period.
Unfortunately this confidence lasted no more than five minutes. Poly scored their second and the third
came a minute or two later. Not great times to concede and that was effectively our afternoon over.
Jimbo, Crusher, Jordan and Charlie ran themselves into the ground. Sam had a perfectly good goal disal-
lowed. Jonny and Charlie got clear a couple of times but couldn’t allude the Poly keeper . Glenn, Chaz and
Wilgo all came off the bench with the sort of enthusiasm that identifies true Merton men. Three or four
goals down with only 10 men but on they all bounded and made good contributions. Once piece of skill by
Glenn was roundly applauded by the Poly bench.
The game finished 6-0 but weirdly most left the field pleased with their performances and heads held high.
Team: Siri, Browner, Harrison, Clappers, Jordan, Jimbo, Crusher, Sam, Van, Charlie, Jonny. Subs: Glenn, Wilgo,
Chaz.
MOTM: Browner. DOTD: Clappers

14^th January 2018

Merton Under 9s                        5
Moormead                                      4

Goal Scorers                                   David  2
                                                                Louis 2
                                                                Lewis

MOM                                                  David

First home game of the year, the weather was kind in the week, which allowed the pitch to be playable. Goals ready, both teams arriving with plenty of time for a warm up.  Neal gathered the boys in a circle for some stretches.  With plenty of time to spare Lauren and Archie were able to get the tea and coffee ready for the parents. Now I forgot to mention that Paul got the hot beverages at last week’s game, it was only right that his misses got this week’s.  Grand total of 6 hot drinks were needed, Archie and Lauren needn’t have worried about the queues of parents.

Not a full squad this week, Percy falling ill Saturday night and not recovering.  Elz was the ref this week and got the game off promptly. Line up this week was Max between the sticks and captain for the game. Harry the lonesome defender, midfield three of David, Joe and Louis, with Faris and Archie up top.  Ollie and Lewis on the bench. 

Both teams started well creating chances at both ends.  But the opposition had the upper hand in the first half getting us on the break and taking advantage of Harry, on his own at the back.  Max did pull off his usual great saves but Moormead went 2 up in the first half.  We did have a couple of chances but couldn’t find the back of the next, one of them being Ollie’s first touch of the ball and unlucky not to score.  I wouldn’t say we played bad in the first half but definitely need to up the work rate in the 2^nd half.

The boys gathered drinks at half time and listened to Neal and what he required in the 2^nd half.  Whatever was said work because the second half the boys came alive.  The boys had more hunger for the ball, more energy and more belief that they could win this match.  Our first goal came from a ball across the goal mouth, for Louis to slot it into the net.  The boys gathered themselves and went again, continuing to press.  Lewis levelled the game with a free kick which went low, through the wall and beyond the keeper.  The next goal made the game, David not only scoring a fabulous goal, but deservingly getting his long awaited first goal for the team.  I won’t go on how it was scored as we have video evidence how it was created and scored. 

What was notice from the video by the coach was how many commands could be heard from the parents from the sideline.  This didn’t confuse David, as the only voice he probably heard was the sound of his mum saying ‘hit it’, and that was he did left foot, top bins. We definitely had more of the possession, but they levelled to make it 3 – 3.  Louis switched to up top, finished well for his second of the game to make it 4 – 3. David, Archie and Lewis worked well in midfield, closing down the oppo.  Couple of changes made, Faris and Ollie on for Archie and Joe.  Moormead had a couple of chances, including hitting the bar.  They managed again to level the match 4 – 4 with about 5 minutes remaining.  Again making video footage, David who worked his socks off the whole game got his brace and the winning goal to make it 5 – 4. 

This was a very exciting game to watch, all the boys walked off the pitch at the end of the game buzzing.  When it came to naming the man of the match although they all played out of their skins, there was only one player the boys could choose.  On the count of 3, the name David was shouted out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t really make any observations on the side line as the game was too intense to miss any of the action.  Only that if hot drinks are available at next week’s game Paul is excluded from buying them!!

Next week’s game is away to Westside, luckily their home ground is a stone throw away from the Hood on Grand Drive.  If the boys played the way they did in the second half it should be a good contest.

Match Report – 06/01/2018 vs Old Wilsonians 6 AWAY

It was the first game back since he Xmas break and time would tell how we would perform after all the food and drink that had been consumed (well in my case anyway!). On we marched to OLD WILSONIANS and we was hoping to put the pressure on Actonians with a win.  Spirits were high as we had just witnessed the three’s beat their Wilsonians team 2-1.  Availability was again on the low side with Ty entertaining his Mrs, whilst the Sreizder twins seem to only play when the weather is nice :o)

Anyway onto the game and we gave another Merton debut to Ross and with Lewis returning we were still quite a strong side.  Fitz stepped into goal to aid the recovery of Swanny.

In regards to the game it was a fiercely competitive game, as it always against Wilsonians.  A few familiar faces from when we played the fives remained and this meant we had to be on our game.

As anticipated we was a bit rusty but the defence stood strong with some meaty tackles flying in from the back four.

As the game settled down we got into our stride and started to produce chances.  Although Spence thought he played for Wilsonians and gifted a back pass to their striker but this was saved by Fitz!  We should have had a couple of goals before George broke the deadlock and scored after racing through one on one.

Unfortunately we couldn’t hold onto the lead and the skipper made a mistake (which was harshly a reason for DOD)  and from a good switched pass, which was mis-judged let the right winger in and an inch perfect cross resulted in their striker volleying in from close range. Half time came and it was 1-1.

In the second half and Merton started the better team.  Pete should have scored within seconds of the restart but fluffed his lines.  Chances came and went, but Nick managed to slot home from close range to give us a 2-1 lead.  Wilsons heads dropped and almost immediately we scored again as Pete made amends with a cool finish.  As Wilsons tried to get back in the game, they started to put some flying tackles in which were a tad on the late side, but to be fair it got them going again.  Spence should have been penalised for bringing down their striker in the box, but the ref missed it (like a lot of things).

We managed to catch Wilsons on the break numerous time as they chased a way back and George finished off a nice move which rounded the keeper and slotted home from a tight angle.

The game finished 4-1, but not before one for the highlight reel when the skipper couldn’t continue due to cramp and tried to kick the ball out of play to come off but managed to find Callum with a great pass.

Man of the Match: The whole squad played really well and another battling performance!  Nominations were for Fitz, Chappell and George, but the winner was Ackers who controlled the game in the second half.

Dick of the Day:  This was a joint winner myself (skipper) for giving a goal away and for the cramp issue and Spence with his back pass and penalty incident!  We will have to work out a way to share the outfit this week!

This week the 7s were looking to bounce back from a disappointing cup exit last week up and were up against South Bank 6s, who had been having a bit of a mixed season. The 7s came into this game with the usual efficient and well thought out preparation that had been on display many times throughout this season. In the days leading up to the game the news was sounding grim, with the squad being sent out and we were already on the back foot with the bare eleven. This was worrying news especially with the 7s tendencies to have at least one drop out within 24 hours of the game being played. With the gaffer away snowboarding, along with the 7s top goal scorer, it was left to the dream team of Grant and Phil Mitchell aka Martin and Steve (I’ll allow you to decide who’s who). However disaster struck, the fears proved warranted as with less than 24 hours to go we had our first drop out, and it was one of the bald brigade Steve! Steve dropping out with a mysterious injury, which his youngest Alex later revealed to be he was battered and bruised and barely able to walk, how he received these injuries is purely speculation at this time but early reports indicate that a quote from Terry Crews ‘White Chicks’ character may be appropriate – “Once you go black, you’re gonna need a wheelchair!”

Onto the matchday and there was still an air of uncertainty over who would actually be turning up! George from the 6s was drafted in to help out our depleted defence and Niall’s mate Ewan eventually joined us at half time, Niall clearly sending Ewan the same text Dave sends to Daban with the wrong meet time! We then arrived to learn that there had been another Friday dropout, not one of the 7s players but the referee! A trade deal was struck with the 5s and Kieran was sent to them to play in goal and we received Lenners who would be our ref, apparently the efficiency of this deal has put Martin in prime position to take over the Brexit negotiations. So with a referee secured we had to inform the other team that Lenners would ref if they were okay with it, the initial response was that the oppo didn’t want to play without a proper ref, if only we had accepted that decision and called it a day there… Martin the negotiator Quinlan stepped up to the plate once again and assured them that Lenners had reffed before and if anything it would be more of a detriment to the 7s! With this accepted the 7s changing room was full of the usual lively banter and noisy excitement, which must’ve been creeping through the walls because the 7s were deathly quiet. Apart from Ryan of course who was doing his usual round of insulting everyone in the changing room, the big difference being this week that somebody enjoyed it, with Steve Harvey’s laughter echoing through the changing room! I would like to take this time to apologise to the 7s on Steve’s behalf, his laughter clearly interrupted the necessary silence for us to prepare for the game and impacted the performance on the pitch.

Anyone onto the match! Or so we thought, however as was the theme of the weekend more confusion and poor organisation! The 7s walked over to what they believed to be their pitch, only to discover that the 5s had set up camp, after a short while it was discovered that the 5s were actually playing on a pitch further up so the 7s sent them on their way and claimed the pitch. With such little time remaining nothing else could go wrong before kick-off surely?! It appeared not and the 7s prepared and had an inspiring team talk from Ryan, which only contained 16 swear words this week! We lined up in a bog standard 4-4-2 with Martin lining up between the sticks, a back four who’s pace rivalled that of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team with George on the right, Dan and Joe in the middle and Steve Harvey at left back. Into the midfield we had Dobbo on the right, Adam and Tom in the centre and Noor on the left, up top continuing the theme of pace we had the speedsters Niall and Ryan up top. The game got underway with Lenners setting a new fashion trend for referees by sporting a hi-vis hoodie. The 7s never really started and South Bank were having all the possession early on and eventually made this count, a poor kick from Martin straight to one of their players who had a weak shot from 30 yards, it looked as though Martin had it covered until he decided to do his best impression of a Salmon and dived, palming the ball into the path of their attacker who scored to make it 1-0 South Bank. South Bank built on the momentum they’d built up and won a freekick on the left hand side, the ball was whipped towards the near post and proved too strong for Martin and we were 2-0. The third, fourth and fifth goals epitomised the phrase ‘Déjà vu’ with one straight ball played past the defence and despite the pace of Dan and Joe in the middle and Martin’s quickness off his line every time the attacker got there first and made us pay. The star of the first half for the opposition was the young 17 year old winger who was having a field day against Noor and Steve, with neither of them able to get near him. The winger, who made Ryan look old, then ended the career of Steve Harvey who we regret to inform you will probably never recover. The ball was played to the winger and Steve decided he was going to get in front and stop him getting the ball, the winger saw this and with a smirk on his face dummied the ball through his legs. Steve with a look of shock and shame on his face, and the turning circle of the Titanic, did his best Forest Gump impression and ran straight past the youngster. Our thoughts are with Steve’s family at this difficult time. Ryan and Niall saw the danger the winger posed and changed the formation, Noor went into the middle, with Ryan going on the left as well as Joe going into midfield and Tom going to centre back to help give us some pace at the back. Not long before half time we nicked a goal back with Niall picking the pocket of their defender and unleashing pace he didn’t know he had, and to be honest the rest of us didn’t know as well, before burying the ball in the corner.

Half time came and we were 5-1 down. Heads were down and the boys spirits needed lifting, Ryan attempted to inspire the team as he’d done the last time we were 4 goals down at half time, with Niall giving a more tactical talk we were ready for the second half! Ewan replaced the injured Joe and we had some extra legs in the middle. However it seems in us focusing on keeping our shape and cutting passes, the entire team had forgotten how to put in a tackle with South Bank walking through our defence on multiple occasions and eventually made us pay 6-1. The rest of the game is more of a training match of attack vs defence with us just trying to get over the half way line, South Bank score another 5 goals and the game is long over. Niall scores a second goal off the back of their kick off with a stunning volley lobbing the keeper from 20 yards out. To the relief of the 7s the full time whistle eventually goes and it finishes 11-2 an unfortunate day of football and we were up against it from the off, we pick up next week away to HSBC looking for a much needed win.

It seems hard to choose a MOTM after such a dismal performance however one moment of the game made it an easy decision. One of their players controls the ball and keeps it up in the air doing a number of keepy uppys and then doing a seal impression bouncing the ball on his head, the 4 supporters of South Bank are loving it and up steps Dobbo! With a look of rage in his face Dobbo hit their player like a train and sent him flying to the ground, much to the delight of the rest of the 7s!

Special mention to Niall as well who with very little service kept the pressure up on their defence and never stopped running, as well as grabbing 2 goals.

Dick of the Day was determined by the first minute, Joe who had neglected to warm up had pulled his hamstring after his first attempt to run! Fair play to him he battled on and saw out the half.

Line up: Martin, George, Dan, Joe (Ewan), Steve, Dobbo, Adam, Tom, Noor, Ryan, Niall

 

Having not played for a number of weeks and all carrying round a few extra Xmas pounds the 3s turned up to old wilsonians for the extremely early kick off time of 12, all in good spirits and with a few new gadgets.

The only thing missing was the kit which turned up fashionably late thanks to Vins Lewis Hamilton like skills behind the wheel.

After a brief warm up we were underway, playing some decent football and managing to get in some good areas but never really troubling there keeper. Wilsonians had a few decent attempts but Sam managed to preserve a clean sheet and the game was 0-0 at the break.

Within 10 minutes of the resumption of play Merton manged to find the back of the net, from an excellent ball into the box delivered by Barry, Dan B out jumped his marker and planted a great header into the far corner 1-0.

From there the boars continued to control the game and create a few half chances. With about an hour gone Merton doubled there lead through a close range finish by Tom Benham after a decent free kick into the box dropped kindly around edge of the six yard box and tom obliged with a tidy finish.

From that point tiredness started to creep in allowing Wilsonians a foothold in the game. And with 10 minutes to play following a spell of pressure from the home side they broke their duck with a shot from the edge of the area that beat Sam low to his left 1-2.

It was then all hands to the pump for Merton, with a combination of committed defending and a little luck when a late Wilsonians effort hit the bar and looped into the arms of Sam much to the relief of everyone, Merton secured the win.

Lots of good performances as we recorded our second win of the season but MoM went to birthday boy Gresty for an all action display at the heart of midfield.

A good win, and hopefully the start of a good second half of the season for the 3s.

We go again.

Merton 7XI v Old Wilsonians 7XI AFA Cup

 

After the long Christmas break we finally had a home game, only to be sent to Wimbledon Common’s extension on a cold overcast lunchtime; as being a cup game the kick-off was 1:30. 

 

The pitch looked in reasonable condition but did look as if it was going to cut up.

 

Team on paper appeared strong, although the captain was off snowboarding.  We were rather quiet in the dressing room – it was still early, recovering from Christmas/New Year.  In David’s absence Steve took the team talk trying to enliven the team and reminding how we performed against this team in December, recovering from 4-0 down at half time to win 6-4, and not wanting the same sort of start.

 

Before the game started we had a minute’s silence for the passing of Merton legend Phil Quinlan.

 

We did start reasonably well on a muddy pitch, although it did take some time to truly find our feet and as usual we created chances without finishing them.

 

In attack OW didn’t initially cause our defensive unit too many problems.  After about 20 minutes we finally got the break through with a goal by Ryan.  We started to play with some confidence, knocking the ball around but not finishing.  The 2^nd goal came after about 30 minutes with Luke slotting home from 15 yards into the bottom corner.

 

This seemed to bring OW to life and they started to create chances with balls down the flanks being crossed in, initially being repelled by a combination of Kieran, Dan and Martin but OW did finally score about 10 minutes before half time.  We managed to steady the ship and Niall scored a third goal just before half time, only for OW to score a second almost on the half time whistle.

 

The half time team talk was given by Ryan to see if he could work the magic from our previous encounter with OW 7XI this season.

 

At the start of the second half both sides made changes: Dan being replaced by Noor which required a re-shuffle of the team, whilst OW 7XI made changes up front.  Kieran’s first comment when getting into the new penalty area was that it was worse than the other end.

 

The changes made a difference, our defence became more stretched on the heavy pitch and tired legs, because of the Christmas break.  We had a few scares with Kieran playing well and made several one-on-one saves which kept us in the game, however they finally broke us down with a long-range effort following an unchallenged run from the midfield.  We continued to battle hard and played some good football on a poor pitch.  However our wastefulness in front of goal cost us again, although at times OW were as bad.

 

OW 7XI won the game from a refereeing mistake; a free kick when their player stepped on the ball.  We should have dealt with the free kick but it when straight through to hit the bar and post and bouncing in the 6 yard box before their players reacted first and had a tap in.

 

The final 10 minutes we tried hard but could not create any clear openings.  In the defence the team was running on empty which didn’t help and by the end OW had control of the game and were able to run the clock down.

 

It was a tough afternoon but an enjoyable game of football.

 

MOTM: Martin Quinlan

DOTD: Noor Emad – A throw by their penalty box with less than 5 minutes to go and ball ends up at their player’s feet.

 

Team: Kieran, Josh, Martin, Dan, Steve, Andrew, Adam, Joe, Ryan, Luke, Niall

 

sub Noor.

 

Thank you to Aaron for turning up but due to a misunderstanding couldn’t play because he was cup tired and Lee being the loan support.

7^th January 2018

Merton Under 9s             1
Walton casuals                  6

Goal Scorer                         Faris
MOM                                    Max

On a cold January morning the team had an away fixture in Walton.  The Xcel Sports Hub was the venue, on one of their 3G pitches. The last game the boys played was on the 3^rd December away near Heathrow, and that what the pitch felt like today. Playing across the full size 3G pitch it felt like it was runway one at Heathrow.

Before the game the coaches handed out their belated Christmas presents to the boys, yellow Merton beanies, which came at the right time as it was cold out there.  Parents were ready, hot beverages available, which were needed. Those who got new boots from Santa had them on, standing out were Max’s salmon and lime colour ones. 

The game got started; Full squad this week, line up this game was Max (GK), Dave and Ollie (defence), Joe, Louis and Lewis (Midfield) and Faris (Striker).  Subs were Archie, Percy and (allowed a lie in by his mum) Harry.  The boys started well, passing the ball about and trying to get up the long pitch to score.  Change made after 10 minutes, Ollie feeling ill or the cold for Harry. Walton used the length of pitch to their advantage, getting the ball over the top of the defenders, when we lost the ball, which created their chances.  Max pulling off some great saves throughout the match keeping the score line from being any higher. Two more subs made, Archie and Percy on for Joe and Louis.  The boys continued to link up well, but just couldn’t find the end product. Walton ended the half the better by 3 goals to nil.

Quick chat at half time from the coaches so the boys didn’t get cold. Faris off for Lewis, Dave off for Louis. The second half saw the boys have more chances at the opposition goalkeeper. A bit more space was made, Archie and Louis making some good passes from the wings.  Our only goal came from Faris, who managed to slot his shot beyond the keeper.  Change of formation, David and Lewis on for Archie and Percy.  Leaving Joe at the back on his own, pushing more players forward to try and get some goals back.  Unfortunately Walton again came back at us and got a few more goals including a fabulous strike from their number 3.  This was a team ranked 1^st in our division, but I think on a grass pitch, slightly shorter in length, the score might have been different. 

The boys gave it a good go, despite the weather and having not played for a while due to cancelled matches and the Christmas break.  Next week’s game is against 2^nd place in the league, hopefully an opportunity to show what we can do on our home pitch, that is if it’s dried out and playable!!!  Let’s hope to a dry January (and that is not aimed at Stuart).

Few moments between the parents chat were observed. Neal’s new fitness tracker gadget and the bra he places it in.  The goal Dan scored on Saturday for the 3s and the one he missed.  James’s description for Max’s new boots, they’re not pink but salmon.