1st Team

First Team History

MATCH REPORTS 2008- 2009

2nd May
Merton East Barnet Old Grammerians (League) (Away)
Scorers:
Report:

28th April
Merton 2 - 2 Old Parkonians (League) (Away)
Scorers: Spooner, Willgoss
Report: I had forgotten how difficult end of season mid-week games are. Last season it was a Tuesday night at Kew that finished our fading hopes of promotion. This season the problem was to get the team already relegated to go to a distant point in East London, leaving work early and getting home late. We managed to get the bare eleven there and kicked off at 6.30 (albeit with 10). Barry had gone to the wrong changing rooms. Old Parks have excellent facilities with a good pitch changing rooms and bar. It was a good game played in good spirit and very clean bearing in mind Old Parks had to beat us to avoid the drop. Like us Old Parks have had an injury blighted season. Having been promoted as run away Div 3 champs a host of injuries to key players has ruined their season. Old Parks pressed straight away and had a series of corners and crosses all of which seemed to loop on to or just over our cross bar. These were anxious times for Sherbs making his seasonal debut in goal and becoming our sixth keeper this season. (It wasn’t too pleasant for close relatives on the touch line). Pretty much as soon as we got to 11 men and settled into our usual pattern of play we conceded. (Ed - That has been the pattern). A good diagonal pass over the top played their winger through and he scored efficiently. We settled down to a passing game and our back four found their feet. Although we tended to be more deliberate and sloppy with the final pass compared to Old Ps but definitely got into the game. We played much better in the second half and took the game to Old Ps. We had a better movement and tempo. But we conceded a free kick which was quickly flighted in, failed to deal with it and were 2-0 down. Old Ps fell back to defend it and we had a lot of the game from then on. As soon as Willgo volleyed us a goal Old Ps got very nervy and couldn’t get started again and even an old pessimist like me could see an equaliser coming. Ben volleying home a good Cam free kick. Then both sides had chances to win and at the death Sherbs saved well, with a finger tip save to deny them a winning goal and any chance of salvation. It was a very good game to watch as both sides passed the ball and tried to play. Also our team, to a man worked hard and enjoyed the game and the after match hospitality from Old Parks. The game was well controlled by the Ref, but there was no rough stuff. The evening i originally dreaded together with Saturdays defeat to Broomfield has done a lot to restore my belief in football as an enjoyable pass time. Both games were proper football matches in the best tradition of SAL football. Our last fixture is at EBOG on Saturday. Thanks to Old Parks for their post match hospitality and I will look forward to next season’s two fixtures.
Team; Sherbs (GK) Barry H, Browner, Clappers (Capt, Gash, Cam, Tills, Ali G. Paul R. Ben Spooner (1) Willgo (1).

25th April
Merton 2 - 5 Broomfield (League) (Home)
Scorers: Clark, Gladkow A
Report: We lost the first and probably most difficult of our must win games and are relegated to Division 3. It was a lovely day for football and the Hood was at its best. Our visitors were already Division 2 Champions, heading back to Division 1 after a season with us. They were a good footballing side, keeping their shape and passing well. They went ahead after 10 mins with a very good passing movement finished clinically. We got going and put together some good moves of our own and equalised after half an hour with AL G firing home after a good move of our own. They had some other good chances and hit the bar (We did that for them as if they needed any help). In the second half we came out very positively and Cam put us ahead finishing very well from a good move. I feared we scored too early and they pushed us back. Their forwards were always dangerous and came very close. We also had good chances to increase our lead. A chip over their keeper from their captain didn’t quite carry for a Lee Dixon moment. They equalised following a good cross and header. Needing a win we pushed on and they took full advantage scoring on the break very efficiently to put the game and Division 2 survival beyond us. They were a good side and deserved the win. For our part we played some good football but fell short of what was required on the day. A very disappointing season but strangely enough this was by no means our worst day. It was a good game of competitive football played in a good spirit and we all had a drink in the bar with the Ref after in the true SAL spirit. Still feeling very low. Well bottom.
Team. Oaksey (GK), Gash, (Sherbs 75 mins), Tills, Bully, Clappers, (Capt), Cam(1), Jamie B. Al G (1) Willgo,(Rooney 80 mins), Bully, Thommo.

18th April
Merton HSBC (League) (Home)
Scorers:
Report:

11th April
Merton 0 - 0 Crouch End Vampires (League) (Home)
Report: This was the result that did neither team enough good. We needed three points to help avoid the drop and they needed Three points for promotion. So it was a pretty competitive game with the referee having a difficult job but he did pretty well. In the first half real chances were few and far between and mainly came from set pieces. In the second half the game became more stretched and there were real chances that perhaps both sides should have converted. We each had a goal disallowed, theirs for off side and ours for pushing from a corner. I thought Crouch End Played a lot better than in our encounter 3 weeks ago (We lost 1-0) and looked a good side. We now need to win 3 of our last 4 games all against relegation candidates to stay up.
Team: Tricky (GK), Gash, Browner, Jonesy, Clappers, Barry H, (Sherbs 80 mins) Tills, Alex G, Willgo, Bully,(Matt B 60 mins) Thommo (Dan Hall 70mins),

6th April
Merton 1 - 2 Carshalton (League) (Home)
Scorer: Brown
Report: Our first home defeat of the season could not have come at a worse time as it plunges us into real relegation mire. (We were there already of course but as we run out of games to turn it round it seems real and immediate). We came out of the blocks really well and played some great passing football down the left flank in particular with Jonesy passing and moving really well. But on virtually their first attack they broke quickly on the counter and the forward fired home from 16 yards really well into the corner to give Oaksey no chance. We were obviously shaken but stirred ourselves back at them and battled away with plenty of possession. Again we were hit on the very good quick counter and another terrific finish from the other striker made it 2-0. They had missed another chance so at half time 2-0 down. We really gave it everything in the second half and took the game to them. We made some good chances in a very physical encounter. We got one back when their keeper palmed a stinging free kick and Browner following in finished very neatly. The last 20 mins we committed everything forward and had some near misses. As we became increasingly desperate we had to over commit and a 3-1 scoreline became as credible as 2-2. We could/should have had a penalty (??) and their keeper made a couple of good saves. We battled to the very end but another defeat and we really do need a change of fortune. Carshalton were a very strong committed side who when they won possession moved the ball quickly forward to two good forwards, who took their chances very well. This was like alot of our recent games a very physical match. Chris O’Connor reffed the game pretty well, apart from the penalty Chris??) This was Carshalton’s last game of the season; we have 5 left. I expect that they will be up there next season for promotion to Div 1. Not sure where we will be but we showed great spirit tonight and played pretty well. We can still get out of this. The boys battled really well and played some good football.
Oaksey (GK); Gash, Browner,(60mins)   Clappers (capt), Jonesy, Cam, Tills, Al G, Willgo, (Dan Hall 70 mins) Matt B (Rich Stabler 80 mins), Bully. (THommo 80mins)

4th April
Merton 1 - 3 HSBC (League) (Away)
Scorer: Thomas
Report: We got off to the worst of starts conceding from a wicked curving corner in the first minute. We were caught really cold but battled back into the game showing real character and creating some great chances. Their keeper made an outstanding save after a good move from Thommo and Bully. And Oaksey in our goal also managed to keep out an even better shot of theirs. We missed a really good opportunity to level it up just before half time when Bully battled through but placed his shot wide of the post. More of the same in the second half and Thommo equalised for us on the hour when he fired home a Bully flick on. Having established a springboard for success we then threw it away. Sloppy play on the right conceded the second and although we battled for the equaliser it wasn’t there. We became a bit ragged and ill disciplined but a foul on Thommo was not given, we stopped and they went upfield to score 3-1 and take all the points. I don’t the ref had a particularly good game but then neither did we. HSBC were a very strong committed side and deserved the points for that.
Team. Oaksey (GK), Gash, Browner, Clappers, Jonesy, Cam, Al G, Tills, Willgo, Thommo (1 ), (Butler 85 mins)Bully.

28th March
Merton 0 - 1 Crouch End Vampires (League) (Away)
Report: Scoring goals has been a continuing problem this season so with our three strikers all failing to recover from the bruising midweek encounter with BB Eagles it was even more unlikely that we would score a hatful. Crouch End is always a difficult place to go not just because of the journey and the very bumpy pitch. Although the Vampires are close rivals for promotion this was a very different contest to Wednesday night. The pitch was awful and spoilt any attempts at flowing football by either side. We had three excellent chances to score during the game but squandered them all and hit the post once. Crouch End for their part had some good opportunities and some very promising positions but their final ball tended to be very pitch affected and let them down. The winning goal came from a penalty awarded in the 68th minute for a trip. A soft penalty but probably a penalty after which the game fizzled out. Tricky made an outstanding save just before the end to stop the scoreline being a liitle unfair. The game was well refereed by Grant Matthias who had a very good game.The Vampires got their three points and we got nothing, which was a little disappointing. We watched the International football in their club bar, we were subdued but they had a good buzz going round, good to see. Nothing really seemed to go our way and that included the coach driver on the way home who seemed desperate to avoid Wimbledon. We have got a real fight on our hands if we are to avoid relegation.
Team; Tricky (GK), Gash, Chris J, Browner, Clappers (Capt), Cam, Tills, Al G, Lewis C, Willgo, Paul Rooney (Sherbs 75 mins) Sub not used Woody,

25th March
Merton 0 - 0 BB Eagles (League) (Home)
Report: Another point gained last night lifts us off the bottom of the table against a very good B B Eagles side, who look deservedly set for promotion. We were under the cosh for most of the game, none more so than in the first 20 mins when they must have had 10 corners or so it seemed. Tricky did very well. BB Eagles were well organised had pace all over the pitch and a good shape and well organised. We battled but on only a few occasions did we get the ball down and play. There were a couple of short periods in the second half when i thought we might get into the game but they were fleeting. Clappers and Browner were outstanding at the heart of their defence and Willgo had a great game at right back but everyone battled and so we deserved a point for that but perhaps they should have got 2 points. The game was well reffed by John Spoerry and his two assistants Dave Laughton and Sarah Hobbs. Thanks to them and BB Eagles for playing midweek. It is a nice place to go and all the staff at Corinthian Casuals make us very welcome.
Team; Tricky (GK), Barry H, Browner, Clappers (Capt), Willgo, Cam (86mins Rooney) Ali G (80 mins Rich Stabler), Tills, Matt B. Thommo (Gash 74 mins) Bully

21st March
Merton 4 - 1 Kew Association (League) (Home)
Scorers: Clark (pen), Bosher, Thomas 2
Report: This was our first league home win of the season and gives us a chance of avoiding relegation. It was not a very pleasant game played in bad spirit. We went ahead after a few minutes when their centre back chose to punch a cross from Matt Bosher and Cam dispatched the penalty very well. We seemed to be on top but we were very vulnerable to the long ball which Kew were playing and this brought them several very good chances but the ones that weren’t missed were saved bravely by Tricky. But the equaliser came from such a through ball with flick on. So 1-1 at half time. We were a different side in the second half and started really well. Cam set up Tills who hit a stinging drive that the keeper could only parry but Thommo was first to it and blasted home not the easiest of chances. Shortly after a long throw from Thommo was flicked on by Bully( who worked tirelessly) and Matt finished well. Thommo made it 4-1 with a deft lob. We then made a substitution bringing on our new Irish signing for him to get sent off straight away for something he said. Very odd. I had not understood a word he said all afternoon. Then we had a player booked (a close blood relative) who had not even come off the bench (but you don’t have to be in the army to fight in the war) and the game finished in a rather unpleasant fashion. Ray Gangadeen was the referee and this was not an easy game to referee and, in fairness and on reflection, he did pretty well. This was not our best Saturday by any means but it was good to catch up with some of the Kew old guard after the game and reminisce.   So we passed away a pleasant hour or two in the bar in the spirit of the SAL and as Darius pointed out a relegation battle like this was always going to be a bit ugly.
Team, Tricky (GK), Barry H. Clappers (Capt), Browner, Willgo, Cam (1 pen) Tills, Alex G, MattB, (1) Thommo (2) Bully (80 mins Rooney s/o) Sub not used Sherbs (booked)
14th March
Merton 1 - 5 Civil Service (League) (Away)
Scorer: Bull
Report:

7th March
Merton 2 - 5 Broomfield (League) (Away)
Scorers: Clark, Galdkow A
Report:

28th February
Merton 2 - 2 East Barnet Old Grammerians (League) (Home)
Scorers: Bosher 2
Report: We need to win a game or two if we are to get out of relegation trouble. But we have drawn all our home league games. This was our fourth. But we did score our first league goals of the year. We had hoped to seal our first win. We went 1-0 ahead early on and played quite well in a rather moderate first half. Matt Bosher scored finishing off a good move. We weren’t at our fluent best but nether were the opposition.Their keeper made a couple of good saves. In the second half EBOG upped their game and equalised. They had two very lively forwards who were always causing us problems. The game opened up quite a bit but we took the lead Matt Bosher scoring again from close range from a corner. In truth this was a little against the run of play. Our lead didn’t last for long as we gave a very sloppy goal away. We seemed to have plenty of opportunities to clear the ball but didn’t. 2-2. Both sides had chances to win it but a draw was probably a fair result with both sides thinking they should have had 3 points. EBOG with slightly more justification. We had Trevor Hall back in goal for us after a few years away and he pulled off a couple of good saves in a very good all round performance. This is a very tough division. We really do need to improve our performances. Our poor start, cup runs and postponed games have all contributed to a backlog of fixtures and few points so putting us under a lot of pressure. We really do need to get stuck in. We have two difficult away fixtures against top sides now, Civil Service and Broomfield and we will need to play a lot better than this if we are to get anything from them. But we can do that. This was a poor performance.
Team: Trevor Hall (Tricky), Alex Morrison (J. Nagen 60mins) Browner, James Craig, Barry H, Cam, Ivan G (Lee PLows 80mins), Al G, Tills (Capt), THommo, (Bully 75mins), Matt B (2)
25th February
Merton 0 - 0 Civil Service (League) (Home)
Report: This was a good performance against the league leaders and a very good side. It was a very competitive game played in a good sprit and well refereed by the Old Salesians’ mafia (Morrisey/Doe/Koscoliek). Their manager summed it up quite shrewdly when he commented that because the players were unused to playing under lights it had a cup tie intensity and openness about it. Civil Service started the better of the sides and had a couple of good chances with one particularly heartstopping moment from an early corner. We settled into the game with Thommo having a few quick pot shots. So at half time it was stalemate and about right. Although we had given a very good show particularly with the Tills and the Gladkows in midfield. We had to make changes. James Craig, who had been outstanding in the first half had to come off and Tills slotted into the back 4 with Dan Hill making his debut coming on up front and doing pretty well. But for the first 15 mins of the second half the visitors got well on top. Gash had to come off with Achilles trouble and Golden came on at right back. We weathered the storm but only just with Jeff saving a penalty and after that somewhat surprisingly we had a very good spell that pretty much lasted to the end of the game. We moved the ball quite well and created some good openings with shots being fired over the bar from a variety of different moves and angles. Their keeper like Jeff made a couple of good saves. So at the end a draw seemed a pretty fair result. The last 20 mins was very open and we had some good opportunities.The experiment of playing midweek under lights worked well. The Casuals ground staff were excellent host and made it a real pleasure with a good chicken curry after the game. Thanks must go to the Civil Service for coming to us midweek to help us out with our fixtures backlog. I hope they enjoyed the event. They looked the best side we have played in our league and very likely to go back to division 1 at the end of the season. Our focus is on survival in this division. We visit them at their ground in two weeks and hopefully our injury crisis will be over. That will be another tough game.
Team; Jeff Hawkins (GK), Gash (Graham 60 mins), Browner, James Craig (Dan Hill 45mins) Barry H, Cam, Tills, Ivan G, Al G, Thommo, (Bully 85 mins) Matt B.
21st February
Merton 0 - 2 West Wickham (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup S.F) (Away)
Report: Our cup run for this year ended on Saturday. It was a beautiful afternoon, nice venue, good crowd, top class opposition and a missed opportunity. We all know that West Wickham are one of the best Amateur sides in London but with a big injury list, just lately, they have not been at their best. And on Saturday they weren’t at their best but sadly neither were we and we came off losing to two second half goals. A scrappy first half was quite even with real scoring chances few and far between. In the second half we had to kick up the slope which made quite a difference and we were under a lot of early pressure, and we conceded a goal Browner flicking it past our keeper, with one of their lads in an offside position. They quickly made it 2-0 with their midfielder latching on to a loose ball and rifling it home from 35 yards. Strangely with the game settled we played our best football and created some good chances which we missed. (We tend to play our best footy when it doesn’t matter- we are particularly good in August). We never gave up and ended the game on the front foot. The officials did their best but continued to test my family’ commitment to the AFA ‘Respect Campaign’. No complaints about the result West Wickham deserved their win and their final.
Team. Steve K, Barry H (Tom Rowe 83 mins), Cookie, Browner, Gash, Cam, Ali G, Ivan, Tills (Capt) Golden (James B 50mins), Matt B. Sub not used Sherbs.
14th February
Merton 0 - 2 Carshalton (League) (Away)
Report: We slipped to an unwanted league defeat but we were the architects of our own misfortune. We had every bit as much of the game as our opponents and created the best chances, at times playing quite well with good passing movements. We lacked a bit of quality in the final third but carved out some good chances. Two aberrations at the back gave the home side two goals midway through the second half and that was the game and the points gone. Clappers had already come off with a worrying recurrence of the ham string injury. The game was played in a pretty good spirit and was always competitive. It was well refereed albeit somewhat eccentrically. This defeat puts us firmly at the bottom of the table with a relegation battle on our hands together with fixture congestion. Its the cup semi final next week at West Wickham and then the League midweek. Carshalton are having to cope with a very damaged pavilion and pretty much no facilities. The pub food was probably the highlight of our somewhat disappointing day.
Team; Steve Keenan, Barry H, Browner, Clappers (Cookie 65 mins), Gash, Chris j (Cam 70mins) Ali G, Ivan, Tills, Graham, Matt B
31st January
Merton 3 -3 (5 - 3 pens) South Bank Cuaco (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup) (Away)
Scorers: Brown, Wilgoss, Tilley
Report: We progressed to the semi final of this cup somewhat fortuitously. The day started somewhat unpromisingly with dreadful traffic and then Parky on his first team debut wrenched his knee in the warm up and was carted off in an ambulance. The team was further unsettled by the sight of Paul Welch, dragooned into being a substitute parading on the touchline in the only pair of extra small shorts we have. Not surprisingly we were a little slow out of the blocks and we did our usual trick of putting ourselves under immediate pressure from the kick off by over playing at the back and losing possession. (we did that four times during the course of the afternoon) But we quickly took the lead when Barry Hughes’s Long throw (He has kept that quiet) was flicked on at the near post and Golden, having been badgered about this all week , selfishly eschewed all passing opportunities and chanced a shot, heading home from a yard, We had a couple of good chances and so did they with Browner making one crucial goal saving clearance. Otherwise there was a lot of mid-feld play where they got the better of us. We never seemed to get into any sort of rhythm. In the second half they equalised with second ball from a corner and a good finish and then went ahead with a looping heard back across goal with some 10 minutes to go. The game had contained some fruity tackles and their midfield dynamo overstepped the mark and was sent off. We equalised with virtually the last kick of normal time. A free kick pushed wide to Ivan who took it down the line crossed and Tills forced it home. So extra time and we went ahead when Chris Jones’s corner was put back to him and he put an excellent deep cross on to Browner’s head for the lead. They did not lie down and with a few minutes to go put together a good passing move and equalised. So to Penalties and we (Gash, Matt , Barry H , Tills and Chris Jones) took five good pens and went through. Jeff saved their second penalty from one of their best players. And so we progress to the semis. They had some very good players with very quick feet and a couple of very good defenders. We were a bit lucky on an off day where we never got our fluent passing going, or weren’t allowed to. This was not an easy game to ref and Pat Morrisey kept it under control. There was a lot of dissent for which players were booked. Still we are through to the semi finals and it is the same four as last season. Parky’s knee may well be ligament damage but they could not assess until swelling goes down
Team. Jeff Hawkins (GK). Barry H, Alex M, Browner (1), Gash, Chris Jones, Alex G, Ivan G. Tills (1), Graham (1), (James B 85 mins) Matt B.
17th January
Merton 1 - 1 (3 - 5 Penalties) Crouch End Vampires (AFA Senior Cup) (Home)
Scorer: Wood
Report: After a really good cup tie CEV went through on penalties into the last eight of this prestigious competition. That was a slightly disappointing outcome as i thought we played pretty well and did enough to have won the game in ordinary time. But, and this is not the first time i have written this we failed to take our chances and did not kill the game off. To their credit, the Vampires hung in there and like a good team kept encouraging and kept going. It started pretty evenly but we scored when Woody curled one in from inside the box. Cross or a shot who knows? Probably a cross as a team we tend not to shoot unless there is absolutely no pass on! We had already lost Barry Hughes (Broken Ribs?) after a collision with our keeper. Alex Morrison came on and filled in very well at Left back. After this we had the better of the game and made and missed our chances. We weathered a bit of Vampires early at the start of the second half but then got back on top but crucially failing to convert two good chances carved open by Cam on the left and Graham on the right. Of course one goal is never enough and the Vampires started to get back into it, particularly after we had lost Clappers to a hamstring injury. With five minutes to go they had an amazing miss straight out of the Merton book of finishing and we scrambled it off the line. Then with only a few minutes left they broke away on the right and although Steve tipped it on to the post Tills in desperately trying to clear the ball smashed it into the roof of the net. Now that’s the way to finish boys. So the referee (Pat Morrisey) who with the linesmen (Dave Littler and Peter Constantine) had had an excellent game elected to go straight to penalties and CEV took 5 excellent penalties and went through. They are due back here in two weeks time in the League where they are currently leading Division 2. We will need to do better then. In the meantime we are having a two pronged attack on our backlog of fixtures with firstly playing games midweek at Corinthian Casuals and also getting knocked out of cups. We are away at South Bank in the quarter finals of the AFA Surrey/Kent Senior cup next Saturday and need a win to get in the semi finals for the second year running. This is the more important of our cup ties. Well it is now.
Team; Steve Keenan (GK) , Barry Hughes (Alex Morrison 20mins) , Pete Brown, Clappers (Thommo 75mins), Gash, Cam, Woody, Al G, Tills, Graham, MattB. Sub not used James Butler.
20th December
Merton 2 - 0 Norseman (League) (Away)
Scorers: Clarkson, Gladkow A
Report: At last, our first league win of the season and a very good performance! Although we have won 7 of our last nine games they have all been good competitive cup games and our only league game was a draw. With some of our regulars missing the day did not start well. I ran over our kit, and although the team were there on time the coach was a good half an hour late. We started off to go to Edmonton and became the victims of an erratic Sat nav on the busiest day of the year. After a tour of the major traffic hold ups in the west end and then a lot of the tourist spots it became obvious we were going to be late. So we changed on the bus and Barry and Ivan treated a somewhat startled bus queue n Dalston High Street to an impromptu striptease. The ref allowed us fifteen minutes to prepare as we had arrived fully kitted at KO time. The first half was pretty even and although we created more opportunities we did not make much of them. Norsemen passed and moved well but were restricted to long range shots. But what shots they were. A great drive from 20 yards looked to be curling into the top corner but Jon got a finger tip to it on to the post and out and then another long range shot clipped the bar and over. The second half was very different and we got on top and played some good passing football and created enough chances to win the game comfortably against a tiring opposition they had collected an injury and did not have a sub. The lad battled on bravely The Gladkow bros with Woody dominated midfield and we were dangerous down the wings where the better ground was on a surprisingly boggy surface. Al scored our first on 55 minutes finishing off a very good move and Cam made it 2 being set up by Graham to slot home. We missed a few other great chances. It was a good day. Norsemen is a very nice place to go. It is a set up for a top Amateur Club and nice to catch up with some old friends. The game was refereed extremely well by Duncan Elder apart from denying us two nailed on penalties (which is about par for the course) and taking surprisingly large steps when measuring out the distance for our wall. We took the scenic route home round the M25 but coming off at the wrong junction delayed us a touch. A very good team performance that lifts us off the bottom. We have 15 league games left and we are still in the AFA senior Cup (last 16) and Surrey/Kent Cup (last 8) So it is all to play for in 2009. Our overall record is P. 12 won 7 Drawn 2 Lost 3 Not too shabby.
Team; Jon Beale, Sherbs, Barry H, Browner, Gash, Cam (capt) Ali G, Ivan G Graham Woody, Matt B. (Paul P 70 mins)
6th December
Merton 3 - 1 (AET)Old Suttonians (AFA Senior Cup) (Away)
Scorers: Thomas 2, Willgoss
Report: This was a very good win against strong AFC opposition. It was a good day for football and both sides played a lot in this two hour epic. We took a while to get into our stride and Old Sutts were on top for the first 20mins and had a few good chances and came close to taking the lead but Gash and Barry managed to clear one off the line when they both looked more likely to put it in. We survived and finished the half quite strongly. We played a lot better and got on top in a very good second half. We had some good chances but took the lead on the hour when Woody accidently clipped the heels of the defender and was left clear to play a good pass to Golden who finished easily. Accidental or not you felt the whistle should have gone. We had some good chances to make the game safe but spurned them and Steve had to make one great save to keep us ahead but four minutes into injury time their equaliser came after a bit of a mix up in our defence the ball came out to the edge of the box where their man buried it. Their goal was a bit dodgy although probably not as dodgy as ours and it was better that such a good game should be decided properly and the game go to extra time. That is easy to write now and wasn’t exactly what i said when they equalised. Despite the disappointment of the late equaliser we rallied really well and played our best football in a very open period of extra time. Cam went very close with a couple of good drives finishing off decent passing moves. We went ahead early in the second half when Woody crossed for Thommo to do a somewhat crab like pirouette so avoiding the attentions of his close marker and flick the ball past the keeper. Although Old Sutts pressed we won the game in the final moments on the counter attack with Matty B playing a great ball for Thommo to finish from 12 yards. Old Sutts were a well organised strong team very well lead by the captain at the heart of their defence. They were lively up front and always dangerous. Clappers was outstanding at the back and lead by example relishing the battle. This was such a good win for us, coming after last weeks disappointing defeat because Old Sutts were such a good side. It was a good hard cup tie played in good spirit. Now we have our first league game in 8 weeks away to HSBC and we go into Christmas still in two AFA cups.
Team ; Steve (GK), Gash, Browner, Clappers (Capt), Barry H, Cam, Al, Woody, Tills, Graham (1) (60 minsTHommo 65 mins Thommo 2 107mins 115mins) Matt B. Sherbs (Not used)
29th November
Merton 0 - 1 Bisley (Surrey Premier Cup) (Home)
Report: Our 6 game unbeaten run (5w 1D) came to a rather dismal and somewhat surprising end at Bisley in the second round of the Surrey Premier Cup. Surprising because we dominated the game with possession and chances and dismal because we didn’t take any of them and conceded a rather sloppy goal to a well worked set piece 10 mins into the second half. The fact is that if you don’t score and miss a hatful of chances then you can’t moan when the opposition put the ball in your net from one of their chances and that’s what they did and then they weathered our storm. Often losing can spoil the weekend but this didn’t, it was a nice trip to Bisley, they had good facilities and a very nice set up. It was a proper game of football and a good game, well refereed and Bisley were hospitable. There were only a few bad tackles and we did half of them. They were a very young side and worked really hard for their win. We played some pretty good football right to the end but couldn’t score. Their keeper made some good saves and we hit a few straight at him from close range. Not our day. We have got some big games coming up with an AFA cup game on Saturday against tough AFC opposition, Old Suttonians, and then two vital SAL games to get our league campaign started. There are a lot of things to work on at training on Wednesday night.
Team, Steve Keenan, Barry Hughes, Clappers, Browner, Gash (Geordie 85 mins), Cam Tills, Ali G, Woody, Graham, (Matt 65 mins) Thommo,
22nd November
Merton 3 - 2 Wandsworth Borough (AFA Senior Surrey Cup) (Away)
Scorers: Thomas 2, Bosher
Report: (AFA Surrey Kent Cup 2^nd Round)
Another good cup win against testing opposition on a rather nice pitch at Richardson Evans Sports ground . Probably our most local derby. After last week at Old Tiffs it was good to have a proper game of football. Boro made this hard for us as they were a well organised side who played as a team and to a plan and were well lead by their captain. Whilst we had the majority of possession and chances we had to come from behind twice and the result was never certain. We started well and pressed but Boro had two good chances from corners when our marking was poor. They went ahead on 25 mins when a long free kick found their forwards head and looped over our keeper. We equalised after 10 mins with a Thommo penalty after a seemingly endless pin ball session in their penalty area ended with a hand ball. We started really well in the second half and created good chances but were caught on the break . Thommo equalised from a good free kick. The winner came in extra time from a good move with Matt heading home from a good Cam cross. The game was well refereed by Gareth Dineen . This win gives us a quarter final against South Bank away on January 24^th 2009. But more Cup action in the next two weeks when next week we travel to Bisley and then Old Suttonians the week after. These will be tough games and we will need to work hard if we are to continue our cup winning ways. Team; Steve Keenan Sherbs Gash Barry H, Clappers (Capt) Geordie, (Golden ) Graham, Tills, Ali G, (Cam)Paul P, (Sub 60 mins Matt B (1)) Thommo (2, 1pen)(sub Woody)

15th November
Merton 6 - 2 Old Tiffinians (AFA Senior Cup) (Away)
Scorers: Thomas, 4, Tilley, Pearce
Report: A first half hat trick from Thommo secured an easy win at Old Tiffinians in the second round of the cup. Paul Pearce struck the outside of the post as early as the second minute after agood passing move down the right (Golden/Sherbs). A beautiful pass from THommo put Pearcey through on 15mins and the defender cleaned him out for an obvious penalty. Thommo scored and then added a second with a well placed header from a (Golden) Graham cross. We conceded a sloppy goal but Thommo powered home the third after 35 mins with a powerful drive from 14 yards after Pearcey played him through. In the second half we made it 4-1 when Pearcey headed a home a Thommo cross. 5 -1 was an own goal from a Golden run and cross. They then scored when one of their players dribbled through our defence. Tills added the 6th when played through. Despite the comfortable win and Old Tiffs nice facilities, bar and food it was an unpleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Old Tiffs were a young side with some very talented young players but the team added up to considerably less than its constituent parts as the team effort concentrated on collective bizarre behaviour and synchronised giggling. The referee, Derek Littler did well to get the game played to a conclusion. Its Old Sutts in the next round and a proper game of football.
Team.   Steve , Gash (Hugh 75 mins), Clappers,(Capt) Browner, Sherbs, Tills (1), Ali G, Geodie, Graham (Golden) (Willmott 70 mins)Thommo,(3 1 pen) Pearcey (1)
25th October
Merton 1 - 1 Old Parkonians (League) (Home)
Scorer: Clark (pen)
Report: Although we came off a run of three successive cup wins, we still couldn’t get our first league win of the season and stay bottom of the division with only 2pts from 4 games. We started well and scored first from a penalty when their keeper fouled Gash after he had won a header. Cam scored decisively from the spot kick. We have scored first in all our 4 league game so it is no guarantee of success. We played some good attacking football and carved out some god chances. We had a second goal disallowed when Pete Brown headed powerfully home from a corner and we went in at half time 1-0 up having dominated. The second half was a much more even contest and Old Parks really got into the game. They passed and moved really well and scored the equaliser after about 20 mins of the half. It was a scrappy goal when we failed to deal with a corner. After their goal they continued with their best spell of the game and a couple of really good saves from Steve kept the scores level. In the last 10 minutes we pressed for a winner and got back on top denied by the keeper, the bar and some woeful finishing. We now miss a week and then have 3 cup games so it will be Nov 22^nd before we get another league game. It is an odd division with 11 sides 10 of whom are beating one another and us, turning into cup specialists, but still without a league win. Still we played pretty well , i thought better than the week before when we beat Carshalton in the cup. Again we showed tremendous commitment and could have so nearly won it.

Team; Steve Keenan, Gash, Clappers (Capt) Browner, Sherbs,Cam (1 pen), (Thommo 80mins), Tills, Al Gladkow, Graham, (Woody 75mins), Matt B, Glen Lilley, Sub not used Pearcey

18th October
Merton 2 - 0 Carshalton (AFA Senior Cup) (Home)
Scorers: Bosher 2
Report: This was our third consecutive win but all in cups and Carshalton were the best team we had played this season. They came with a good reputation and looked a good well organised team even before the game. They started very well and dominated from the start. They passed the ball well from mid-field and attacked well down the flanks. They were particularly strong down the left side where James Horton and one of their three Tilleys combined well. Golden and Sherbs did well to keep them at bay. Carshalton produced one good chance when their striker volleyed and Steve Keenan saved well. Steve had another good game and helped organise and underpin a good defensive performance. Even so a goal seemed inevitable and after 28 mins it came but we scored it against the run of play. Cam beat a few of their defenders on the left and slipped Matt in who scored off the post. We held on to half time missing one good chance of our own but Carshalton continuing to hold the upper hand. The second half saw little respite with Carshalton pressing but our two centre backs, Clappers and Browner were outstanding making good tackles and keeping their lively forwards at bay and limiting scoring opportunities. We continued to put ourselves under pressure conceding too many free kicks in dangerous areas. But gradually we started to get into the game and Matt B having scored one was always dangerous and well supported by Pearcey with Golden and Cam having worked hard defensively now getting forward an increasing number of times. We went 2-0 up (65 mins) when Clappers took a free kick quickly and found Matt in space who finished well. Matt did really well to set up Pearcey but his header went narrowly wide. We held on while the Ref played an extra 10 minutes of injury time and time added on for time wasting. The ref, Mike Evans, did well and kept control of what could have been a difficult game. Carshalton didn’t have the run of the ball and got frustrated which led to bookings for dissent. At the end I felt we deserved our win but was also left with the feeling that we had beaten a pretty good side who probably had a bit of an off day. Still it as an excellent win and we displayed the sort of commitment we need for our league campaign.
Team 4-4-2   Keenan (GK), Gash, Clappers, Browner, Sherbs, Cam, Tills, Geordie, Golden Graham (Cookie 85 mins), Matt (2) Pearcey (Woody 80 mins). Sub Bully not used but good to have him back after injury.
4th October
Merton 5 - 2 Kew Association (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup) (Home)
Scorers: Lilley, Clark 2, Bosher, Tilley
Report: This was a good win against historically tricky opposition for Merton and it was never easy. Kew settled much the better and went ahead on 20th minute when we were over committed on the right at a throw in and had no one to deal with the cross. We equalised immediately (and I do mean immediately ) when Matt touched the kick off to Glen who fired home from the half way line. That was obviously a set back for Kew and we really got at them for the rest of the half. They failed to close down Cam from a corner and he scored and then Glen set up Tills for a great goal. We missed some really good opportunities and at our end Jeff made an outstanding save. 3-1 at half time and Kew came back at us with a goal early in the second half when we failed to clear our lines. The first time Jeff saved a point blank header but the second time a deft chip back was finished well.. We then produced a really good move to make it 4-2 when Matt B finished off a five or six man rapid passing movement. Kew didn’t give up (they never do) and came close to getting a third on a couple of occasions. We scored the 5th when Cam converted a penalty right at the end. So 5-2 was a good result for us. In a very open game, both sides looked good going forward but i was concerned that we didn’t seem as tight at the back as we have done. Still some work to do! Phil Cook refereed the game pretty well but i thought was a little lenient on some very late tackles.
Team; ( 4-4-2) Jeff Hawkins, Gash, Clappers, Browner, Sherbs, Cam (2, 1 pen,) , Tills (1), Geordie, Graham, (Al G 78 mins) Matt B. (1) (Pearcey 75 mins) Glenn.
30th September
Merton 2 - 0 Chessington & Hook Reserves (AET) (Surrey Premier Cup) (Away)
Scorers: Lilley, Tilley
Report: Surrey County FA Premier Cup 1srt round.a
This was our first win of the season and a very good team performance. We seemed to have a completely different attitude to last week. A lot of talk and mutual encouragement. The line up was altered with a more defensive mid-field.   C &H had the better of the early exchanges but we got into the game and Tills and Geordie were winning the midfield battle and providing the platform for our attack to create chances. For the first 90 mins we had the greater number of chances and were on top but C&H had two nailed on chances and missed. Their forward firing over from 14 yards in the first half and after a Gasher hand ball missing the penalty with a spectacular strike over the bar in the second half. Our keeper made a couple of excellent saves. As we moved into extra time we got stronger and quickly went into a deserved lead as AL G set up Glen to score. Shortly after Tills lashed a left footed 20 yarder that swerved and dipped past their keeper. We held on for the second half for a memorable win. But in the last quarter we were going down as if there was a sniper in the stands as cramp set in. Sherbs, Glen and then Browner who had the most amazing exit, impossible to describe, but even more bizarre than Monty Python’s silly walks. This is the way we need to play. Tills lead the side admirably by word and deed in Clappers absence while Clappers encouraged constantly from the dugout.There were some outstanding individual performances but it was the team effort that i will remember. Thanks to the barmy army travelling support who supported us and distracted the opposition. The game was very well controlled by the officials and it was great to go to such a nice place and actually win for a change. This is only the third time we have got into round 2 of this competition and that includes a bye two years ago. Kew next Saturday and time to set the record straight. Well done to everyone of you lads.   Max Herbert
Team: Steve Keenan (GK), Sherbs, Browner, Cookie,   Gash,   Cam, Tills (1, 99 mins), Geordie, Glen (1. 95 mins) Thommo 110 mins) Matt B (Graham W 75 mins) Paul Pearce  ( Ali G 70 mins)
27th September
Merton 2 - 4 BB Eagles (League) (Away)
Scorers: Bosher, Lilley
Report: In a tale of two halves, Saturday afternoon can be the best of times and it can be the worst of times all in 90 minutes. It was a beautiful day although the pitch was not at its best as BB Eagles bed in their new facilities which I am sure will provide an excellent new home for them.
We started so well and missed our first good chance after only one minute and Glen hit the bar with a great shot after 4. We created a hatful of really good chances and squandered them before a great cross from Glen was turned in by Matt. We continued to press forward but caught on the break and a desperate foul on their centre forward brought the equaliser from the spot. For the ten minutes before half time and the 15 minutes after Merton gave as poor a performance as I can ever remember in 9 seasons. It was shameful and covered the full spectrum of unacceptable play;. Sloppy football, ill discipline, disunity and bickering which cost us the game. Immediately after half time BB eagles capitalised on some mistakes and with neat football and tidy finishing put us away. They had been down and should have been out but they hung on kept together and saw it out as a team. Lessons are to be learned. We tried to recover and pressed again for the last 20 mins. Glen got the goal he deserved but we couldn’t get back in it. The game was well refereed by Peter Law and the opposition deserved their win. Their centre forward gave an outstanding performance of leading the line and had a great sporting attitude.
It is going to be a long hard struggle to turn this round but it is early days and we have the ability to do it. That alone is never enough.
Team. Jon Beale (GK) , Geordie, Clappers, Gash, (Sherbs 70 mins), Cam, Tills, Pearcey, (Lewis C 70 mins), Graham, Matt B , Glen,
20th September
Merton 2 -2 Norseman (League) (Home)
Scorers: Lilley, Cook
Report: It was a lovely day for football but we continued our indifferent start to the season. This was a very well contested game and in the end a good point for us. We scored first when Glen latched on to a miss placed defensive pass and drove the ball home after 14mins, We however quickly returned the favour conceding possession to their striker who seeing our keeper off the line finished really well from about 40 yards. That gave Norsemen confidence and they had the better of a first half. After half time they went ahead when a header from a corner was adjudged to have crossed the line. Now as I recall it the whole ball has to cross the line, bobbing around in the six yard area isn’t generally considered enough. (I know Respect –Sorry) However this galvanised us and we seemed to play with some urgency and pressed forward for the equaliser which came from a deep corner headed back across goal by Tills and home by Cookie. The game really opened up as we pressed for a winner. On the break Norsemen fashioned the best chances to win the game but didn’t take them. In the end a draw seemed a reasonably fair result.
Team. Jon Beale, Geordie, Gash, Clappers, Cookie (1), Cam, Tills, Woody,(Ivan 70 mins) Graham, Pearcey, Glen (1) Sherbs (80mins)
13th September
Merton 1 - 2 Kew Association (League) (Away)
Scorer: Pearce
Report: It would be easy to make excuses about this defeat but the fact is that we got muscled out of it by a more committed side that had enough talent to cause us a lot of trouble. Even tho we went ahead, Paul Pearce’ debut goal after 15 minutes and looked the better side, Kew battled back equalised and won the game in the second half. Their keeper made a couple of outstanding saves at crucial moments. Kew were a much improved side on last year’s team with some talented new recruits and were as ever well organised, played to a plan and saw it through. We did not play to our plan or our strengths and unless we do this we are going to struggle.
There was a good debut for Jon Beale our new keeper and Paul Pearce getting on the score sheet. Golden and Pearcey worked well together. Tills and Woody worked hard but it didn’t happen. We have a chance to get things going next week but we all need to listen to the plan and execute it. It is not the rest of the team that has to do it but you.
Training on Wednesday is a good start. This was particularly disappointing as we have had some good pre season performances with well earned draws away to Old Wilsonians and West Wickham. But we can pick it up from here. We have the ability and commitment but we need a bit more application on the day.
Team. Jon Beale (GK) Geordie, Clappers, Cookie, Gash, Cam (sherbs 70 mins), Woody, Tills, Ivan G, (Alex G 80 mins) Golden Graham, Pearcey, (1) (5mins) Max Herbert

MATCH REPORTS 2007 - 2008

26th April
Merton 2 - 0 Norseman (League) (Home)
Scorers: White, Lilley
Report: This was a very good win against a very good Norsemen team, who like us have been challenging for promotion to Division1, but on the day were very unlucky not to get something from the game. We were without our two leading goal scorers so we had something of a makeshift look up front. Norsemen started the better and dominated the first half moving the ball about as best you could on a pretty tricky surface. They had the best chances most coming from their incredibly dangerous long throw ins. Our goal had a charmed life with Clappers always dangerous as he flicked them on hitting our bar. We survived till half time. In the second half we got much more into a game that could have gone either way. We took the lead when a free kick from Geordie was headed back across goal by Browner for Lofty to sneak in and flick it home. There were then chances at either end before another cross from Geordie was volleyed home brilliantly from 18yds by Glen. And that was it. We showed enormous commitment and rode our luck. Norsemen were a very good side who have had a very good season but it was not their day today. They will obviously be in the hunt for promotion next season. If we can win our last game on Wednesday against Carshalton we will go above Norsemen and finish 3^rd. That would be a good finish in a tough division.

Team. Jeff (GK), Gash, Clappers (Capt), Browner, Cookie, Geordie, Tills, Woody, Lofty (1), Sherbs , Glenn (1) No subs used

19th April
Merton 3 - 3 Old Esthamians (League) (Away)
Scorers: Lilley, Bosher, Own Goal
Report: This was probably one of the most bizarre games we have had for some time. It is a long way to go to Old Es and they were ready and waiting for us and straight out of the blocks. Clappers cleared one off the line and although we got into the game it was Old Es who made all the good chances and failed to capitalise. They went one up on the half hour catching us over committed and that was the score at half time. It could have been a lot worse but for some poor finishing and some close offsides calls. Despite a rallying team talk the second half continued much like the first with Old Es scoring a very good second goal on about 55 mins. It looked a regulation home win for them and would put them in the box seats for promotion (deservedly). Then their No. 10 who had played a blinder got in a strop about a throw in and kicked the ball away for what would be an irritating yellow card for him. But no he had a real go at the Ref walked off and managed to talk it into red. So seeing they were down to 10 men gave us a real lift and we went at them and quite soon we had got back to 2-1. Another stroke of fortune saw one of their defenders manage to get his head on a Woody shot going wide and it looped over their keeper into the net. Soon after, one of our best moves saw Matt B finishing it off for the equaliser. They broke upfield and got a penalty for a bit of a soft hand ball. This was tucked away but we came back at them and Glen struck a great equaliser and we finished the game pressing for the winner which might have been very important. A series of increasingly improbable results means we could still go up but it looks to be between Weiside, Old Es and Norsemen. My Money is on the first two. But we come to the last week and we are still hanging in there.
Team: Jeff, Gash, Cookie, Clappers, Sherbs (Barry Hughes), Cam (Lofty 70 mins), Tills, Woody, Glenn (1), Ackers, Matt B. (1)

12th April
Merton 4 - 2 Old Esthamians (League) (Home)
Scorers: Tilley, Woods, Ackerman, Own Goal
Report: After our rather dismal performance at Kew, we bounced back to beat Old Es who are serious contenders for promotion and the Championship. I suspect that this was a considerably weakened Old Es side but we did pretty well, starting brightly and dominating. Having said that, although we missed a fairly easy chance (sitter), by the time we did take the lead, Jeff had made at least one excellent save and Gash had cleared off the line. Ackers opened the scoring latching on to a good through ball and finishing well. But as soon as we went ahead we gave them an equaliser with some very sloppy play and their forwards were the type who punish mistakes with clinical finishing. We went 2-1 somewhat fortuitously when a free kick from Woody reared up and evaded the diving keeper. We pressed hard in the second half to increase our lead but Old Es were always dangerous on the break. A good move and great finish from Tills made it 3-1 and a bit of a bundle ended in an O.G. for 4-1. Clappers let the ball slip under his foot and their striker latched on to it and unleashed a rocket that crashed in via the cross bar. 4-2 being the final result. I was pretty pleased with our all round performance and our bounce back after the defeat at Kew. Promotion looks out of it now but we have 31pts and 3 games left. Who knows what will happen and we play 3 of the sides above us with a key return fixture with Old Es next week.
Team: Jeff, Geordie, Pete B, Clappers (Capt.) Gash, Cam (Chris Jones 75 mins), Tills (1), Woody(1), Lofty (Glenn 60 mins), Ackers (1), Matt B (Cookie 82 mins).

8th April
Merton 1 - 2 Kew Association (League) Away)
Scorer: Tilley
Report: I don’t like mid week games. It really is stressful trying to get a team of appropriate strength to a ground for a 6pm Kick off. But with a great effort from all we got there and we ready for the off. We sampled Kews new changing rooms and club house and it was very nice too. Sadly no licence for the bar so no after match drinking. For all the work that has been done on the club house the pitch was very sticky and very difficult and the same for both teams but the home team adapted to it much better and we could never really get going and perhaps were never allowed to. We went one down after about half an hour when at several levels we failed to deal with a long ball upfield and it ended up in the net. We equalised from the spot after about an hour. Tilley converting after Cookie was fouled in the box. We pressed but did not carve out anything too dangerous. They scored the winner with about 20 mins to go from their best move of the game. We failed to get an equalise let alone the winner that we would have needed to keep our promotion hopes alive. The life support system has not been turned off yet. Kew worked very hard and played a game better suited to the conditions but the seemed more eager and passed the ball better. We were at times quite poor. The game was well refereed by Pat Morrissey.
Team. Jeff (GK), Gash (Little Jack ???), Browner, Clappers, Cookie (Ivan 65 mins) Lofty, Tills (1), Woody, Glenn , Ackers, MattB,

5th April
Merton 5 - 0 Southbank Cuaco (League) (Away)
Scorers: Tilley, Ackerman, Bosher 3
Report: It was rather an unsatisfactory game even though we got all 3points and kept a clean sheet. South Bank are a big SAL side with a proud record but obviously having a difficult time at the moment. They faced almost certain relegation back to the third division before this game, having been promoted last year as Champions. Having said that they only fielded ten men, but the ten they fielded did their club proud and worked their socks off to make it very hard for us. We made it very hard for ourselves too with some pretty woeful delivery and finishing. And their keeper made some outstanding saves. Ackers scored the first after half an hour of frustration and Matt got our second just before half time. Matt got his second and then his third (3 hat tricks in 4 games) when he touched in a very good Geordie free kick. Tills added the final touch with the fifth. It could have been and should have been more but the South Bank boys didn’t deserve it to be any worse and you had to admire their spirit. The game was played in a pretty good spirit and well refereed by Dominic Stepford who was firm and consistent; he got a couple of calls wrong but then he is only a bishop not the almighty. This defeat relegated South Bank . They have such good facilities and determination and some outstanding players that they should bounce back. As for Merton it keeps alive our outside chances of promotion. Team: Jeff (GK), Cookie, Clappers, Gash, Geordie ( Chris Jones 75mins), Browner, Tills(1), Woody, Glenn, Ackers(1), Matt B (3) (Lofty 80 mins.) Max Herbert

22nd March
Merton 0 - 2 Weirside Rangers (League) (Home)
Report: As you would expect with both teams going for promotion and Wearside with a realistic chance of the Championship it was a keenly contested game with no quarter given. With Joseph Hood unplayable the game was switched to Weirside nice ground in Teddington but you couldn’t change the weather and we had it all but the most important factor was the gale force wind blowing down the pitch. We kicked with it ‘helping‘ us. Weirside settled quicker and were obviously a strong well organised team with a bit of pace and enough skill. When we got into the game Woody had a great shot tipped on to the cross bar by their keeper. Spurred on by this we probably had too many attempts from long range although one good move ended with Matt having a good chance but the ball got stuck under his feet. With half an hour gone a bit of sloppy defending and a good finish saw Weirside take a decisive lead and five minutes later they doubled it when a well flighted free kick was misjudgd by a hesitant defence and their forward side footed it home skilfully. Against the wind and two down in the second half we gave it a real good go. We forced them back for a period at the start of the second half but couldn’t score. We created some good chances but just could not put them away with Cam hitting the bar and Bully too. Their keeper made a couple of good saves. In fairness tho their defence did pretty well to keep us at a distance and we didn’t really get after them. They were dangerous at all times up front but we kept them at bay in the second half. We had a last late flurry but lost Bully with a broken nose. This act of sacrilege spurred us on and Cam had to come off with a hammy, and Woody at the call of his in laws, but Weirside held out. This result probably finishes our promotion hopes but Weirside are serious championship contenders, deservedly so, They are the best we have played this season. I felt we gave it our best shot and played as well as we were allowed to. In our other defeats I have always felt we beat ourselves but not today. And I was proud of our effort, attitude and commitment and we looked a good team with some excellent individual performances. But beaten on the day by a very good side who may well win our dvision. No complaints. The game was well controlled by Pat Morrissey and two linos. Thanks to Weirside for allowing us to swap grounds. Max Herbert.
Team; Jeff (GK), Geordie, Clappers, Browner, Cookie, Tills, Bully (70 mins, Lofty), Woody (5mins Sherbs) Cam, (75mins Gash), Ackers, Matt B.

15th March
Merton 5 - 1 Southbank Cuaco (League) (Away)
Scorers: Bosher 3, Clark 2
Report: Another three points to keep our hopes of promotion alive if a little unrealistic. It is a very nice place to go and play football with an excellent ground and facilities. We started a little nervously and in the first few minutes South Bank’s aerial power with flick ons from corners and throws seemed to unnerve us. I remember thinking they looked a small side but they seemed to win much more than their fair share in attack and defence. We started to get on top and scored on the half hour when Sherbs cross was headed home by Matt. Five minutes later Matt was set up by a lofty Sherbs interchange and his shot was blocked for a penalty. (Harsh??) Cameron dispatched it. After half time we started to play better and carved out some really good chances. None better than our third goal with a great cross from Cam headed back by Tills for Matt to finish. What should have been game over seldom seems to be the case. South Bank pulled one back and went after us. They narrowly headed wide from a corner and a great defensive header from Geordie preserved our lead. We got back on top and a second penalty for a foul on Matt gave Cam the opportunity to score his second and Matt completed his hat trick after that. I thought the score flattered us and I find it hard to believe this side has done so poorly this season. We play them again in a few weeks. From our perspective it was a good workmanlike performance. Clappers and Tills drove us forward from midfield and Matt picked up another hat trick and was involved in both penalties. So we need to keep going as we now face promotion contenders in ur next two games. Max Herbert
Team; Jeff (GK) Geordie, Clappers, Browner, Sherbs, Cam, (2 pens) Tills, Woody, Lofty (75mins Cooky), Bully (70mins Glen), Matt B (3)

8th March
Merton 8 - 2 Old Lyonians (League) (Away)
Scorers: Tilley, Bosher 5, Ackerman, Woods
Report: We put a lot of effort into our preparation for this game and it paid dividends. Jeff’s cunning plan and a 1½ hour training session as to how it should be implemented proved very fruitful. Old Lyonians are fighting relegation and provided determined opposition for a game that was played on a beautiful pitch. The plan was to attack and we did. I cant give a blow by blow account as it is still a bit of a blur as so much happened. We scored after 5 mins as Sherbs put a bouncing through ball into the heart of their defence and Matt B got on the end to score. A great move from Ackers and Cam saw Matt B finish it off, sliding in at the far post. They pulled one back when their forward finished well from a through ball. We went 3 – 1 up (Woody?) but they scored from a good free kick. Matt got our 4th and Ackers made it 5-2 seeing their keeper off his line and scoring from 35 yards. So it was 6-2 at half time. We added two more in the second half and ran out comfortable winners. OLD Ls battled to the end. Their keeper went off with 10 mins to go and their able striker went in goal and made a couple of outstanding saves. It was a very good day and one of our best performances.
Team; Jeff (GK), Geordie, Clappers (Capt) Browner, Sherbs, Cam (Glenn 65mins) Tills (1) Bully, (Cookie 75mins) Woody (1) Ackers (1) Matt (5)

1st March
Merton 0 - 1 BB Eagles (League) (Home)
Report: It was always going to be a difficult game. Resurgent opposition on a roll, a bouncy pitch with a horrible cross wind. With the wind in the first half we dominated possession but never got to grips with the opposition and created only a few chances. Rudi and Tills shot wide and Ackers lobbed over. In the second half BB Eagles helped by the wind got into the game and scored on the hour slightly against the run of play, as we had just enjoyed a few good moves that lead to nothing. The goal came from one of those wickedly curling crosses that are always difficult to defend (but lads you ought try,) touched in by the forward. After that BB Eagles grew in confidence and had a good spell and threatened to go further ahead. They then fell back to defend their lead which they did. We went close for the equaliser when an Ackers header was cleared off the line but otherwise had little to show from a defence lead by Kieron McSweeney and another ageing maestro that stood resolute. If we are not going to slide down the table we need to listen to what Jeff is telling us and do it. This was very similar to our performance at EBOG. Whilst you felt it had been a bit of a smash and grab raid, we would only be fooling ourselves if we thought performances like that are good enough in this division. We need more creativity and guile to defeat well organised opposition with a number of good players like BB Eagles, who came with a plan and saw it thru. After the game the ref said that after we went one down we didn’t have a plan B. I thought that we didn’t implement plan A. The game was played in good spirit and well refereed by Peter Koscoliek. We didn’t have any bookings for a change.
Team. Jeff, Geordie, (82mins Matt B.) Cookie, Clappers (Capt), Sherbs, Cameron, Tills, Rudi, (Lofty 65 mins) Woody, Ackers, Glenn.

23rd February
Merton 1 - 4 Old Salesians (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup Semi Final) (Away)
Scorer: Clark
Report:This was not the one sided affair that the scoreline might suggest. Old Salesians goals came in a ten minute burst straight after half time when we hit that old Merton self destruct button. We didn’t come out for the second half and were one down in micro seconds. Old Sals added 3 more with little resistance from us, a little help from a linesman with a harsh penalty award and a very good header. This ended the game and they took their foot off the gas.
But the first half had been very different. Although Old Sals had the better of the early exchanges when we settled we carved out the best chances and could/should have got our noses in front by half time. Their keeper made an excellent save or two, we hit the post and had a couple of goal line clearances, one from over the line or so we thought. They were dangerous on the break and also hit the post.
The second half was very different and although we rallied to get a goal back. Cameron from the penalty spot. We ended up with 9 men as Bully vented his frustration on the ref (bad call the pros kick advertising hoardings – none about OK) and having used our substitutes Gash was carried off with a twisted knee. We carved out a really good scoring chance but fluffed it. But none of this affected the result which was settled in the 10 minutes after half time. Beaten by a stronger side on the day, and it really wasn’t our day.
Old Sals had an enormous pitch, were a very strong outfit with some very good players. Their two strikers were quick mobile and always dangerous. They had a bit of strength and class at the back. Hospitality was well received and we drifted off to .....? regroup to reignite our promotion campaign for the home game against BB eagles next week.
Team. (4-4-2) Jeff (GK), Geordie (82mins S&H), Clappers, Browner, Gash, Cameron (1pen)(75 mins Matt Bosher, ) James Tilley, Rudi (60mins Glen Lilley) Woody, Ackers , Bully.

26th January
Merton 3 - 2 (AET) Sinjuns Grammarians (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup) (Home)
Scorers: Ackerman 2, Cook
Report: Quarter Final of Surrey/Kent Senior Cup.
Merton edged through to the first AFA senior semi final for a number of years against a very strong Sinjuns side. The pitch was tacky and difficult but eminently playable. We started the better and pressed but did not convert any of our chances. Sinjuns were quick and strong on the break and had the ball in the net twice but were disallowed for offside. Half time came with no goals and again we had the better of play and went one up when Cookie forced home after Tills had won a good far post header from a well delivered free kick. Although we pressed and Sherbs went agonisingly close with a volley from the edge of the box we could not get the decisive second goal and paid the price. Failing to clear a corner the equaliser was fired home from close range. Again we failed to convert our chances and the Sinjuns forwards, excellent on the break and well supported, scored what looked the decisive goal with only a few minutes left. This was not one for the faint hearted and with the last kick of normal time Ackers finished off a good move with a well taken life saver. (Terry’s life that is). So extra time and although we thought we were the fittest Sinjuns dominated the first minutes and Ackers scored our winning goal when played through, if anything, slightly against the run of play. We held on for the last 15 minutes missing chances but having enough narrow shaves to keep the heart pounding. It was a very well contested cup tie and one can see how Sinjuns could have felt a little disappointed. We battled throughout with James Tilley and Rudi Doo leading the mid field onslaught. Cooky and Browner were outstanding at the back and Ackers and Bully ran till they dropped but all 14 players were magnificent. So it is the semi final on March 1st and we are away to Old Salesians. West Wickham play Nottsborough in the other semi. And they are currently the top three sides in SAL Div 1. This was a very good performance and I was very proud of every one of the team. Team (4-4-2) Jeff Hawkins (GK) Gash, Cookie, Browner, Sherbs,(Glenn 84 mins) Cameron, Tills (Capt), Rudi, Woody, (Matt B 85mins) Ackers, Bully (Lofty 115 mins)

19th January
Merton 1 - 0 BB Eagles (League) (Away)
Scorer: Clark
Report: The surprise was that we played at all and that the pitch although soft was perfectly playable if a little sticky and difficult. We started well and dominated scoring after 10 minutes when Cameron hit an unstoppable shot from 25yards. Their defender half blocked it and it looped even more unstoppably over their keeper. We had other chances but did no put them away. Their keeper made a point blank save from a Clappers header from a Cameron corner. At half time we were only one up and had not put the game beyond the opposition. Apparently BB Eagles this season don’t turn up for the first half. They didn’t. But they have a team talk at half time home truths and are a different side in the second half. They were. It was a much more even game and though we had more of the play and the better chances it was a close run thing. They were reduced to 10 men (sent off for swearing). Odd because there were some very fruity tackles from both sides that went unpunished. Their keeper made a superb save in the final minutes from a well struck Gash penalty and we held on for the three points. If you want to read an accurate fair report on the game you should visit BB Eagles web site and I would not disagree with anything said there. I can see that they did enough in the second half to nick a point and their description of us as an ‘ordinary’ second division side was not far off the truth on that showing. It was not good enough yesterday and it was another EBOG type showing. We are or can be better than ordinary but we need to 1) Show more commitment to training 2) Improve our fitness levels 3) Listen to what Jeff is saying. I sometimes think that players think he is talking to the rest of the squad and it does not apply to them. However there are some real positives we got three points our spirit and commitment was good and our attitude good. We have a cup game on Saturday at home to a strong AFC side, Sinjun Grammarians, and will need to be at our best if we are to progress to the semis.

Team; Jeff (GK), Geordie, Browner, Clappers, Gash, Cameron (1), (Chris Jones – 85 mins), Rudi, Lofty (Cooky – 85mins), Matt B (Alex -65 mins), Bully , Ackers.

Congratulations – Simon White (Lofty). In this win at BB Eagles Lofty made his 200th appearance for Merton’s first team. He joined in 1999 and has been at the forefront of the clubs improved performances and our position second place in Division 2 and aspiring to do better. Thanks Lofty for all the work for the club. There will be a small presentation after our game on Saturday 26th.

5th January
Merton 1 -2 East Barnet Old Grammerians (League) (Away)
Scorer: Bull
Report: We started the year with a defeat away from home which was not what was planned. We dominated the game from the start but did not create enough good opportunities and those we did we didn’t take. Denied a clear cut penalty after 15 mins of pressure, the ref played advantage, EBOG took the lead against the run of play with a well taken goal after sloppy defending. A change of plan at half time but EBOG went two up early in the second half when we gave the ball away and did not press the attacker who put in a very good cross and the striker headed a very good goal. With a lead of two goals EBOG fell back on defence. We scrambled one back with 30 mins to go, Bully scoring from close range, and we had chances to equalise but EBOG were determined defenders and held out for a good result for them. It was a difficult pitch and surface to play on, the game was pretty well refereed by John Faithfull and whilst we did not lack commitment we may have been short on quality, particularly with the final ball. It was not our day. Team. Jeff (GK) Geordie, PeteB, Cooky, Gash, Matt B. (Rudi 75mins) Woody, Tills (Capt), Glenn, Ackers, Bully.

15th December
Merton 4 - 0 HSBC (League) (Home)
Scorers: Lilley 4
Report: This was a great result to set us up for the Christmas break and for 2008. The afternoon did not start too promisingly with two of our players lost on route. Frantic phone calls but they had no idea where they were. It looks like they got lost in Sutton en route to New Beckenham. (A tom tom or an A to Z for Christmas). So we kicked off with a bit of a makeshift side and non ideal preparations. The first half was pretty even with Both sides having chances. We probably had more possession and chances but they had the better of the chances and had aerial supremacy. In the second half we brought on Cameron and Tills, the wanderers, and started to take control. However HSBC had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed for a foul on our Keeper. After that we quickly went ahead with a 30 yard rocket strike from Glenn Lilley. After this the game opened up and we put together some pretty good moves and Ackers played Glen in for his second and Gash for his third. Glenn rounded off a pretty good day by getting a fourth and getting all the points. The final scoreline probably flattered us and it could have been quite different. HSBC were a strong well organised side and very strong in the air. They have a great pitch and first class facilities so it was a pretty good day for us. But guys we do moan a lot even when we are winning. It is really not necessary and has to stop. We lose focus and it will cost us. Also it is just poor behaviour. So a few ideas for Christmas presents, an A to Z or two. New years resolutions, No dissent, Pitch up an hour before KO and go to training. Pete Brown elected to travel back with Cam and Tills. Hope he gets home for Christmas. That was a pretty good all round performance from all the squad and glad we took 14. So Happy Christmas everyone.
Team; Jeff Hawkins, Geordie, Gash, Pete Brown, Clappers Sherbs (Cameron), Rudi (Tills), Woody, Matt Bosher (Lofty), Ackers, Glen Lilley (4).

24th November
Merton 2 -1 Old Lyonians (League) (Home)
Scorers: Bull, Tilley
Report:

17th November
Merton 5 - 1 Kings Old Boys (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup) (Home)
Scorers: Bull 2, Tilley, Herbert, Ackerman
Report: Bully’s Special prize…Merton entertained old foes Kings Old Boys in the last 16 of cup and emphatically earned themselves a date in the Quarter Finals against Sinjuns in January. Bully opened the scoring midway through the first half turning in from close range and that’s the way it stayed until the break albeit thanks to what seemed like an impossible clearance from Gash on the goaline.
The tie was effectively over in the first 15 mins of the second half with Merton overpowering the opposition and scoring 4 goals. Ackers added the second with a clever lob after a Bully flick on, before Alex slotted home at the far post following more good approach play by the front 2. Bully added his second and Merton’s forth with a clever near post header before Tilley rapped it up following Lofty’s far post cross.
Merton eased up in the latter stages and conceded a sloppy consolation which on balance kings old boys probably deserved for not letting there heads drop. There was also time for birthday boy Thommo to entertain the crowd with a 15 minute cameo. Merton were finally back to winning ways, happy days… Line up – Hawkins, Fiveash, Cook, Brown, Clapperton, White (Thomas 75 mins), Tilley, Herbert, Jones c, Bull (Bosher 70 mins), Ackerman

10th November
Merton 0 - 1 Old Wilsonians (AFA Senior Cup) (Home)
Report: Another cup defeat less than 48 hours after Ashford. We didn’t have much time to recover and it was insufficient time for Matt and Pete Brown. Still we got on with our task against first division opposition. It was a fairly even first half but they went one up after half an hour. A well flighted corner was headed powerfully home from 6 yards. It did not seem likely to bre the only goal of the game. We suffered a further setback after 40 mins. When Rudi trying to execute some sort of ballet movement, reminiscent of Danny Boy Wells in his hey day landed while still trying to complete the essential ½ twist. This brought Chris Jones into the frame. We dominated the second half and created enough good chances to have got at least one goal. We hit the bar and Lofty, Cameron and Chris Jones went very close. Their keeper made a couple of very good saves in a good all round performance. In fairness also their defence were very good at snuffing us out and getting in the way and generally frustrating us. It was a good competitive game played in a good spirit and well refereed by Derek Horner. We have now lost 3 in a row and not won in five so it is time to buckle down

8th November
Merton 1 - 2 Ashford Town (Middlesex)
Scorer: White
Report: It is always nice to play in this cup which gives us a floodlit mid-week fixture and it would be even nicer to win one one day. Ashford is not the easiest ground to get to, well not from Wimbledon anyway and pretty difficult to assemble the team at 6.45 for the 7.45 KO. But we all got there eventually (Glen). And we kicked off and settled down quickly. We had a spectacular start with Cameron latching on to our diagonal kick off and creating our first chance. Then we perhaps missed our best chance when the ball bobbed round there six yard area. But as is our style we were quickly behind giving away the ball in midfield and we were punished with some sharp passes and a good finish. We then gave as good as we got in a bit of a scrappy half. At half time we could hear their half time talk. We couldnt actually hear what was said but we could get the drift and it was not for the squeamish. We concluded that we might be behind but all was not well with the oppo and we went out to win the game. And that is what we tried to do. We had the best of the early exchanges but we did not take our chances and Ashford started to get on top and had some good chances. Our back four however were magnificent. Glen Lilley’s introduction sparked a revival and we created a very good chance which we missed and soon we were 2-0 down. It was something of a bizarre event with the ball bobbing around in our 6 yard area and I was just wondering how this slow motion drama was going to end when Gash put me out of my misery. He couldn’t get a good head or strike on it but with a touch of athleticism he was able to force it over the line. ( Gash that gives you personal goal difference of -1 even with your 2 pens). Lofty came on and with Cameron hitting a deep corner he scored a trademark backpost header for the goal that we deserved, albeit just a consolation. Still it was a pretty good performance and we created enough chances to have got something from the game. The game was refereed excellently by Adam Wilson and Ashford Town’s hospitality was much appreciated.
Team. Jeff Hawkins (GK), Geordie, Pete Brown, Clappers (Capt), Cookie, Cameron, James Tilley, Rudi,(Lofty 85mins) Sherbs,(Glen Lilley 60mins). Ackers Matt Bosher (Gash 65mins). Sub not used Danny Boy Wells.

3rd November
Merton 0 - 2 Weirside Rangers (Leage) (Away)
Report: Highlighting the major talking points of this game would suggest that Weirside dominated the match, however the story over 90 minutes illustrated a more even game. The team talk before the game centered around improving our defending, but ultimately the goals we conceded were ones that could have been avoided. The game started in a scrappy fashion with a number of fouls given away in midfield, but there were very few chances conceded. The first main chance fell to Rudi and he connected well with the ball but the Peter Schmeichel-esque maneuver blocked his effort. Our passing at times wasn’t up to standard, as we were either looking for the killer ball too often or playing simple balls in the air. Weirside’s first goal came from a clearance down the line which their striker did very well to hit the ball over the on rushing Jeff from 30 yards and a difficult angle. We went in 1-0 down at half time, and despite them nearly scoring immediately after the kick off, we started the second half well with some good sustained pressure in their half, but much to Mr Dray’s annoyance everyone one of his shots was deflected away from their intended target of the top corner. We weren’t getting the rub of the green, and we were not able to sufficiently test their keeper. Soon after this a nomadic player who no one had ever seen before and we thought was playing on the left wing, turned up on the right wing, did some step overs, beat a few players and smashed a great shot past Jeff’s near post. We continued to have some good possession but a badly played ball in midfield resulted Weirside in gaining a penalty. Cookie’s sledging had the desired effect, as the number 6 missed his first ever penalty due to a good save by Jeff, the rebound was missed by their striker (presumably because his legs had stopped working after a previous combative challenge from Clappers. Soon after this, the nomadic left winger started sprinting towards the touchline (there was a supporter there with a pie), Lofty wasn’t having any of this and used all of his guile and experience to scythe him down – no booking though! Glenn and Andy were bought on to create a more attacking line up, and this resulted in more pressure, but ultimately we were still unable to get the goals we needed. The game finished 2-0, and we’ve now got some work to do in achieving the aims that we set for ourselves at the start of the season.
Team: Jeff Hawkins, James Fiveash, David Cook, Simon Clapperton, Paul Summers, Rudi Dray, Mike Reed (Glenn Lilley (60 mins), Simon White (Andy Ward 65 mins), Cameron Clark, Chris Wood, Lewis Ackerman.

27th October
Merton 3 -3 Kew Association (League) (Home)
Scorers: Clark 2, Lilley
Report: Its never an ordinary afternoon when Kew are the visitors and Saturday was like that. Just as at Carshalton we conceded a very early goal but hit back straight away with a Glen Lilley strike that was deflected past the keeper. Both sides then had opportunities to go ahead before we did so just before half time when Cameron scored with a terrific free kick. The second half started evenly with Kew pressing before we got on top. We missed a couple of chances before Cameron got his second and our third. We spurned opportunities to increase our lead and paid the price when we failed to withstand Kew’s committed late rally eventually equalising in the last moments. It was a touch disappointing but there were some positives. We got a point from Kew which is more than we managed last time. No one in the management team committed suicide. We did not commit any foul throws. Just aswell as I think there would have been a double sending off. I can't see the Gash family taking that with a smile. Specially when you can be booked for saying ‘No way ref’ Particularly if you say it in geordy. S&H was blameless on all goals. And it was nice to see Lee Bolton, Kew’s ‘veteran’ striker come off the bench and score his 200th goal for Kew’s first Team to get the stoppage time equaliser and for it to be celebrated so modestly. (Actually a terrific achievement for Lee – Congratulations). Next week away to Weirside and we need to get back to winning ways.Team; Alex Herbert (GK), Geordie, Clappers, Pete Brown, Gash, Cameron (2), James Tilley, Lofty (Cookie 50mins), Rudi, Ackers, Glen Lilley (1) (Wardy 75 mins).

20th October
Merton 4 - 5 Carshalton (League) (Away)
Scorers: Ackerman 2, Clapperton, White
Report: We went down to our first defeat of the season against Carshalton who maintained their 100% record. It was a disappointing performance with many of our players underperforming and we did not give a good account of ourselves. The scoreline flattered us as we were seldom seen with a chance. Carshalton were quick and competitive and were very effective. They went ahead after only few minutes when their winger took advantage of an offside decision to score. It quickly got worse as a free kick from way out sailed through our defence and was touched home. Ackers got one back after half an hour when he volleyed home from a poor defensive header. They cleared a shot or two off the line when Cameron waltzed through them but just before half time an unchallenged midfielder made it 3-1 when he had time and space to unleash a 35 yard thunderbolt. After half time we got it back to 3-2 when Ackers lobbed their keeper after a poor clearance. We pressed for an equaliser and the game got very stretched, it had been very open. We hit the post and bar but conceded a couple of penalties and 5-2 was too far to come back from. Gash is now 2-2 on penalties this season. Headers from Clappers and Lofty gave us respectability but Carshalton held out for the points. Carshalton shouldbe there or thereabouts forpromotion this season. We have Kew next week who are always difficult so we will need a very good performance and a big improvement.
Team. Paul Cardazzone, (GK) Gash, Clappers (1), Pete B, Cookie, (Alex H 75 mins) Cameron, James T. Rudi, (Lofty 75 mins (1)) Woody, Matt B.(Glenn Lilley 70 mins) Ackers (2)

13th October
Merton 2 - 1 Norseman (League) (Away)
Scorers: Fiveash (pen), Ackerman
Report: We continued our good start to the season with a win at Norsemen. It is a pleasure to go to such a nice ground and well organised club. And of course it is even better to win a good competitive game. Most of the team travelled by team bus but a few were making their own way by car. Seldom a good idea and very worrying but miraculously all turned up in good time. We started very well and immediately got on top. We probably played as well as we have done for the first 35 minutes. We failed to make enough good chances from s lot of pressure and we did not do well enough wikth the openings we created and when we did the keeper made some good saves (he did that throughout the game) and we had a couple cleared off the line. Just before half time they broke away quickly when one of our free kicks clattered into their wall and nearly scored against the run of play, their striker arriving fast on the break headed over from close range. It was more difficult than it looked. They continued to be more dangerous from our free kicks than we were. We took the lead just before half time when Ackers broke clear and was brought down for the penalty that Gash put away really well. We perhaps should have been more ahead. In the second half Norsemen got into the game and were lively on the break. We still created and missed some good chances before on about 70 mins they equalised. It looked likely as they got more and more dangerous. The game could have gone either way at that point but we took all the points with a late goal. Following a defensive slip their keeper saved well with the ball going against the post we then fired it against the bar before Ackers nosed it over the line. All this was done in ultra slow motion. There was still a few moments left and some dangers to survive generated from a very good long throw. I think we just about deserved the win but Norsemen showed what they are capable of in the second half. Clappers and Pete Brown were outstanding again and all the team worked hard for the win. It was a really good effort. The game was well refereed and it was a good day out.
Team: Jeff Hakins (GK), Geordie, Clappers, Pete B, Gash, Cameron, Lofty, (Mustard 85 mins), Rudi, Alex H. (Glenn Lilley 75 mins) Ackers, Matt B.

6th October
Merton 2 - 1 East Barnet Old Grammarians (League) (Away)
Scorers: Bosier, Clapperton
Report: Another good result at home against a very good side. We chased and harried and , in fairness probably stopped them playing the way they wanted to . They looked likea team that wanted to play football aswell. They were a big strong well organised side as you can expect from a side that has just come down from Division 1. We probably shaded the first half and had a couple of good chances and deserved to be one up. We went ahead just after the half hour when a quickly taken free kick set S&H away who crossed for Matt B to flick on and Clappers to net from close range. Right from the off in the second half EBOG came out in very determined fashion and bossed it spreading the ball well and quickly equalised with a rocket when the ball ran loose from a cross. For the next ten minutes EBOG continued to dominate but we went ahead slightly against the run of play when Ackers played Matt B in who flicked it past the oncoming keeper. We held on for a hard won victory. It was never comfortable. This was our best performance for a long time because the opposition looked very good and probably a little off colour. After their comfortable win they may have expected an easier ride. This division is not easy. The game was very well refereed by Pat Morrissey. This was a very good performance and we need to build on this good start next week away to Norsemen. Team: Jeff Hawkins (GK), Gash, Clappers, Pete B, Cookie, Geordie, James Tilley, Rudi, Alex H. (Chris Jones 85mins) Matt B, Ackers (Sub not used Lofty)
Max Herbert

29th September
Merton 2 - 0 HSBC (League) (Home)
Scorers: Fiveash (pen), Bosier
Report: This was a great start to the league campaign with a hard fought win over a very strong and competitive HSBC team. We never achieved the fluency of last week’s performance but this was a different calibre of opposition who beat us twice last season. This is a very tough division and there was always a danger that we might just get out muscled by a very determined side. We went ahead after 20 mins with a Gash penalty after Cameron was upended in the box. The decisive second goal came after 60 mins with a Cameron corner, delivered low and hard, flicked home by Matt Bosher. We missed a few good chances hitting the post twice, and their keeper made some very good saves. Our central defenders and midfield were outstanding but every player made a contribution. Clappers stood in ably as a driving captain while Lofty was away on Father duty. (Congrats to Lofty and Clare on their first born Jessica Rose.) It was not the easiest game to referee but John Hall, on his travels from North London was up to the task. It was a very good start to a long nights drinking, with sightings of Elvis Reported everywhere in the Village, (Even in Tescos buying Hula Hoops – Weird!!). Next week Home to EBOG who won 5-0 away at South Bank. Team; Jeff ‘Elvis’ Hawkins(GK), Gash (pen) Pete Brown, Clappers (Capt), Cookie, Cameron, James Tilley, Rudi ‘Elvis’ Dray (Geordie 65mins) Woody (S&H 75 mins) Matt Bosher (1), Ackers (The King).

22nd September
Merton 9 - 1 Shene old Grammerians (AFA Surrey/Kent Senior Cup) (Away)
Scorers: Ackerman 3, Clark, Cook, Tilley 2, Wood 2
Report: This was an excellent start to our competitive season. We have had an odd pre season with defeats to top sides where we have played well in patches but even when we have won we have looked unconvincing. But today we raced out of the blocks and never let Shene settle, we were quickly 2 ahead. The home defence found Matt Bosher too hot to handle and Ackers was deadly when Matt set him up. It was a comfortable 6-0 at half time as we dominated all over the park. We faded a bit in last quarter and gave a sloppy goal away. There were two headed goals from James Tilley and one from Cookie, a debut goal from Cameron and 2 from Woody. Ackers marked his return to Merton with a first half hat trick. Shene obviously had an off day but the facilities and hospitality were excellent. So it was a pretty good day out for us. The league starts next week when we are at home to HSBC and can expect a tough game. Jeff Hawkins (GK), Gash, Pete Brown, Clappers, Cookie (1), Cameron Clark (Geordie 65mins), James Tilley(2), Woody (2), Simon White (Rudi Dray 60 mins), Ackers (3), (Alex Herbert 70mins), Matt Bosher
MATCH REPORTS 2006 - 2007

16th September
Merton 3 - 5 Old Esthamians (Away) (League)
Scorers: Brown, Lilley, Wood
Report: Not the start we wanted to the season but an interesting introduction to the second division against a side relegated from the first division last season. We took a coach and it took just a bit over two hours to get to Walthamstow. At half one we found our that one of our number the leftwing back would not be meeting us there because of a work problem and we had to do a reshuffle. We started well but a strong OEs soon got into their stride and on top. Jeff made a fine save and took some nasty crosses to keep them at bay. A dipping cross shot from their right wing put them one up and soon after a well taken free kick put them 2 up for half time. The half time talk did a lot of good and as was so often the case we conceded immediately after the break. Still pondering on the meaning of the well-chosen words delivered. Being 3-0 down and out brought the best out in us and the penalty awarded for a foul on Mike Reed was put away by Glenn Lilley and Chris Woods Volleyed home to make it 3-2. I then thought we were on for at least a point as we attacked energetically down the right. But a breakaway cost us the fourth goal and another individual error the 5th. Pete Brown came up and scored our third to cap an excellent performance from him. Chris Woods was also outstanding as an attacking midfielder. The opposition were a well organised strong side with some very good players and it would not surprise me to see them up there for promotion. The Referee was excellent and handled the game well but also some tricky situations firmly but with understanding. He was the best we have had for a long time and approachable. I gave him the best mark I have ever given a ref i.e. 9 only to find out that it is now out of a hundred not 10. Hope he understands that one. We all ended up down the pub having a drink in the sunshine, which eased the pain of defeat, a liitle. We lost our first away game last season and still did OK so all is not lost but it will take a lot of hard work and commitment to hold our own in this division. (Max Herbert)

30th September
Merton 1 - 0 BB Eagles (Home) (League)
Scorer: Lilley
Report: We got our season started on Saturday at home to the side we were promoted with from Div 3 last season. This was a very good performance from a very committed side. Last season BB Eagles pretty much outplayed us in both games so it was very good to turn the tables on a very strong well organised side who probably had a bit of an off day. But we were straight at them and played some very good passing football. With Woody picking the ball up in mid field and playing Glen in, we were always a threat and created some good chances. It was a worry at half time that we were not ahead but after half time we carried on as we had left off. We had a goal disallowed and their keeper made an excellent double save from Glen and again gathered very bravely from a cross under pressure. Scotty hit the post with a screamer. The Keeper also parried Glen’s 74th minute penalty, awarded when Woody was brought down in the area after a thrusting run. Glen put the rebound away for what turned out to be the winner. They had a player sent off for arguing too much about the penalty which was a pity but it was a well contested competitive game. Our defence held out for the clean sheet and every one of them did an excellent job but special mention must go to Mustard who filled in at left wing back so effectively. BB eagles will be disappointed with this and I still think that my warning to Old Easthamians last week that BB Eagles will be up there challenging will come to fruition. We can build on this we showed a lot of character and won lots of personal battles over the pitch. The lads were really up for it and set up a great night when I managed to captain a losing European Ryder Cup team. I had a great night and thanks to all those who organised it. Another memorable day down at the little old football club that continues to amaze me. Max Herbert

5th October
Merton 0 - 3 Chessington & Hook (Away) (SCFA Prem Cup)
Report: We bowed out of The Surrey premier Cup on Thursday evening under floodlights at Chessington’s rather nice little ground. The scoreline might suggest that Chessington walked all over us but that would be far from the truth.Chessington were much more efficient in front of goal and put away their chances (17 mins and 23 mins) which came from our failure to deal with long balls. We played some very good football and carved out some great opportunities and were punished for not taking them. In the 88th minute a defensive error made it 3-0 but we must have had at least 16 shots at goal several scrambled off the line and their keeper made some excellent saves and with his two assists must have been their man of the match. The match was refereed excellently. It was a good night. Thanks to our supporters who braved the elements and saw a good performance from the Boys. Max Herbert

7th October
Merton1 -1 Norseman (Home) (League)
Scorers: Gould
Report: We got a hard won point in this home league game. We were very sluggish, suffering the effects of our hard game on Thursday evening. They started much the better and we struggled to string passes together. We fell behind after 25 mins when they scored from a well struck free kick. Neither side created much. In the second half we played much better and they sat back on their lead. That policy almost paid off. |their Keeper made some excellent saves tipping over from Glenn Lilley and then from Alex Herbert. There were some late interceptions as well. Well into injury time the equaliser came from a corner that was pushed home from close range by Gouldy. Neither side played well and it was a scrappy game. I felt a draw was a fair result. They were a well organised side particularly at the back. We will look forward to the return. Max Herbert

14th October
Merton 0 - 2 Old Actonians (Away) (League)
Report: We arrived in West London with plenty of time to fully prepare to play a team that were in Division 1 last year, and the pitch was in very good condition – everything was set up for us to put on a good performance and gain the right result. However, this game showed us that in this division, any mistake can be punished and we must capitalise on our chances if we want to come away with the points.
Old Actonians are a strong, well organised side and took the lead after 15 minutes with their unmarked player giving Jeff no chance from 8 yards. In the first half, we created only a few chances on goal – Woody put Mike through, but his shot was blocked by the onrushing keeper, and Woody also hit the top of the crossbar direct from a corner. The opposition were positionally very sound and this made it difficult for us to win a lot of second balls, this resulted in us not being able to use our wing backs as far up the field as we’d have liked as we couldn’t keep hold of the ball. The defence stood firm and we’re able to limit them to only a few half chances. In the second half, we created more chances, and with a bit of luck and / or composure could have scored 4 goals, but as our goals tally in our last 4 games reads as 2 scored, this is something we do need to work on. We fought until the end, but one of their team found himself spare and was able to finish from just inside the box to finish the game in the 90th minute. Afterwards, Jeff illustrated the need for all to attend training so that we all become comfortable with the system we are using, and this is something that needs to be followed if we aim to be successful in this division.

21st October
Merton 4 - 0 Southgate (Home) (League)
Scorers: Bull, Herbert, Lilley, Reed
Report: In the end a convincing win against the leaders of Division 3 but a performance that was, in all honesty, not of the standard that we have been producing. We started well and created some very good chances and went ahead after half an hour when Glenn Lilley chases and won the ball and squared it back for Mike Reed to finish from 10 yards. After this the game opened up but Southgate rallied well and Jeff had to spread himself bravely and well to make a very good save. After half time Soutgate had a very good 15 mins when they created far too many chances for our comfort. Jeff made some great interceptions and some fine handling. Pete Brown was very effective at the back and needed to be. We then scored a very good second goal, against the run of play but a fine passing movement involving Rudi Dray gave Gash good possession for a fine cross that Bully headed powerfully home, (powerfully compared with a previous attempt that is) for the goal that his performance deserved. We had some more chances as Southgate lost their discipline and took on the referee. Finally after being instrumental in winning a corner. Alex H (S &H) was set up by Woody and fired home from 15 yards. Glenn Lilley got a well deserved goal to make it 4-0. So we were good enough on the day but we now go into some important league games where we will need to pick up points. Any win is a good win and this was deserved and something to build on at training on Wednesday. Max Herbert

28th October
Merton 3 - 1Ibis (Away) (League)
Scorers: Bull (3)
Report: This was a much better performance from Merton than our cup win last week. We started well but went behind after 10 minutes when Ibis scored opportunistically direct from a quickly taken free kick that caught us out. Showing great commitment and togetherness we buckled down and came back at them. But it could have got worse when on one of their breaks a spectacular overhead strike hit the bar. Two quick goals on the half hour put us in control. The first was made by Woody who took the ball down the right wing and fizzed in an early cross for Bully to strike home. A minute later Pete Marney picked the ball up inside our half and as it opened up in front of him he kept going before playing a great ball in for Bully to score. We then played pretty well till half time creating chances and having a rather good shout for a penalty turned down. In the second half we made it three when Woody beat a couple of defenders and fed the ball to Bully to complete his hat trick. After that Ibis put us under pressure but we held out and created and missed some chances, holding out for a good win. The game was played in a good spirit and well refereed. It ended up with some good hospitality in the Plough. Our opposition are bottom of the table but have some good individual players and have been scoring pretty well in their games so far. Again I was very pleased with the team performance and the attitude of all 14 players. Training is an important part of our preparation. See you on Wednesday. Max Herbert

4th November
Merton 4 -1 Weirside Rangers (Away) (League)
Scorers: Bull 2, White, Gregg
Report: Our second away win on the trot moved us up to fourth in the division. This fixture demonstrated the benefits of being in the second division, a local game (Teddington), a nice ground (Lensbury), good quality opposition (A footballing side), good hospitality (Nice bar service and food) and a competitive game played in a good spirit.
Weirside passed the ball really well and with our sluggish start got on top. They hit the post and Jeff made a really good save all in the first ten minutes. Then a good through ball from Glenn put Bully in and he fired into the corner of their net. It was a good goal albeit against the run of play. We started to get into the game more and Woody then played a good wide ball to Bully who though challenged saw the keeper off his line and hit a long range shot (40 yards)over him into the net. That seemed to settle us down and perhaps dispirit the opposition and we had chances to increase the score. In the second half they came out and put us under the cosh but our back four were playing really well supported by an aggressive midfield. We broke upfield and from a conceded free kick Woody hit a fierce free kick that their keeper did well to turn round for a corner. The corner was cleared by ballooning the ball back to Woody who half volleyed the ball fiercely back across goal for Lofty to turn in. Nick Gregg came off the bench and fired in the fourth,. We conceded a sloppy goal near the end but the opposition deserved it. Weirside played some really good passing football but at times, particularly in the second half were let down by the final ball. The game was played in a good spirit and it was an enjoyable afternoon in Teddington. It was a very good win for us. Jeff’s defensive training seems to be paying dividends and we looked like a well drilled team.

11th November
Merton 4 - 3 (AET) Old Cholmeleims (Home) ( AFA Senior Cup)
Scorers: Gregg 3, Tilley
Report: After beating Southgate Olympic in the Qualifying round we moved on to much tougher opposition in this round. Old Chums play in the Arthurian First division and are the old boys from Highgate School. They were not the archetypal old boys side i.e. big and aggressive. Old Chums came with a young smallish side who were quick and skilfull. With Bully failing a fitness test Nick Gregg got his first start for the 1s. We started very well and carved some good openings before Lofty set up Nick who finished really well from close range. We were very much on top but on one of their few attacks a defensive error let Old Chums in and Pete Brown brought down their striker for a penalty. Pete ‘I have seen them not given’ Well I saw this one definitely given. They scored well. We rallied round and Nick was played thru and lobbed their keeper as he came out. 2 -1 seemed scant reward for our dominance but we had missed some really good chances. In the second half there were signs that Old Chums were getting into the game but with Jeff’s coaching we have become a better side when we have not got the ball. Pressure on their defenders from Glen Lilley who had an outstanding game and Nick caused an error and Nick finished with a crashing drive in off the underside of the bar to complete his hat trick on his debut. (3–1) Well that really changed things. Old Chums really came at us. We probably sat back a bit too deep but a through ball was finished well by Adam (?) to make it 3-2 and then with tremendous spirit Old Chums threw everything at us and had shots cleared off the line and saved before the inevitable (and deserved) equaliser came. Both sides had chances in the dying moments to win the game but it went to extra time. We had the better of extra time and with only 3 mins left, and penalties looming, a well fighted Gash free kick was headed powerfully home by James Tilley who treated the crowd (?) to a shirt off celebration the like of which we have not seen at Jo Hood’s before (What would Arsene say about that then). We played out a nervy last three minutes to gain our fourth consecutive win. The game was played in a very good spirit and at tremendous pace. Max Herbert

18th November
Merton 0 - 2 West Wickham (Home) (AFA Cup)
Report: This was a poor performance from the 1s against superior opposition from the first division. The score line flatters us as it was never really close and if Jeff had not made a string of excellent saves it would have been a lot worse. West Wickham were a well organised strong team. They had several chances to go ahead but eventually took the lead after about 20mins when we failed to clear after a couple of good blocks from Jeff. We held out till half time but I don’t think we had a meaningful shot on target. In the second half we did try and get at them and had some pressure and a couple of shots but after a short period of pressure we got hit on the break by West Wickham’s two quick strikers who worked well together to make it 2-0. Jeff saved a penalty to keep the score closer than it was. We will need to do better than this next week. We also whinged far too much about refereeing decisions. This was poor behaviour in front of the president of the AFA and Chairman of the SAL. Max Herbert

25th November
Merton 6 - 2 Bank of England (Away) (League)
Scorers: White 2, Lilley, Brown, Fivash, Dray
Report: There were only about 4 of the original Merton team that had played at Roehampton before in the bad old days when we were both in the bottom division. So the new boys were talking about the wonderful facilities and the hike in interest rates that were paying for them and we should take it out on their team. But the opposition did not quite look like the guys who sat on that committee and we aren’t the boys with mortgages. No but we’ve got overdrafts. So despite the heavy rain the game was on but only just. The game was closer than the scoreline suggests. BOE started better than us and passed the ball and kept possession quite well to begin with. We went ahead against the run of play when Bully who lead the line again really well, chased down a through ball and squared it back and Lofty drilled it home. Very soon the scores were level when although we had opportunities to do so we failed to clear the ball and it ended up in our net. We got into the game after that and Gash fired us home with a well struck shot from the edge of the area. We missed a good chance to make it 3-1and then failed to clear a needlessly conceded corner and it was 2-2. The BOE are a big side who always threatened from set pieces. A wonder goal just before half time restored our lead. A good passing move released Glenn Lilley who crossed the ball for Rudi to fire home and then celebrate like he had never scored before. (Has he – Ed not intentionally No). In the second half we played as well as we have done this season but to begin with we had to battle to keep the bank at bay and we did so with a bit of luck and some great saves from Jeff, especially from a deflected shot. The all important 4th goal came from a well flighted Pete Marney ( or was it Gash I cant tell them apart) free kick which they failed to clear and Pete Brown fired home. Glen who was running them ragged at the back set up Lofty for the 5th (his second) and scored the 6th himself. The game was firmly refereed and was all the better for that and played in a good spirit. It was our third consecutive league win, all away, and we have won 6 of our last 7. It was another enjoyable afternoon with great hospitality from the Bank. Again with Jeff’s coaching we are starting to look like a football team. We put the disappointment of our cup exit last week behind us. It is the 3rd round of the AFA Senior Cup next Saturday. Max Herbert

16th December
Merton 4 - 3 Old Salopians (Home) (AFA Senior Cup)
Scorers: Bull, Lilley, Clapperton, Dray
Report: It was getting to feel like ‘Ground Hog Day’. Waking up every Saturday to be playing Old Salopians and then have it called off after heavy overnight rain. Well we had the heavy overnight rain again but the pitch was playable, just, because of the dry preceding week. So at last the game was on. We started well and pressed hard but gave away a goal when our two central defenders did a gentlemen’s excuse me in defending a long ball came into our box and their centre forward nipped in to score. Back we came and made chances and equalised when a Woody cross found Lofty whose shot struck the bar and Rudi headed ‘powerfully’ home from 12 yards. Soon the Old Boys got back in front. This time our two centre backs both went for the cross and the ball fell to their forward who slotted home. Back we came. More good work from Glenn who flicked the ball on for Bully who finished well. After half time we really pressed them and made and missed a lot of chances and then Clappers intercepted a cross brought it under control and fired it into the roof of the net. Sadly wrong net 3-2 to them. Back we came. This time Clappers intercepted a cross in their box, never seemed to have it under control but fired it in anyway. 3-3. Clappers was having some debut. And back we came at them and after a good passing movement Glenn scored what turned out to be the winner. This was a pretty good performance because we made so many chances. The game was played in very good spirit and well refereed. Old Saps were a good strong side who passed the ball well and were very dangerous when attacking with good movement. They punished every mistake we made very efficiently. Both Keepers made good saves at crucial times in a well contested game. This puts us into Round 4 of the Senior Cup where we are at home to Old Carthusians on Jan 14th. We have had a really good start to our season League and Cup Played 11 Won 7 Drawn1 Lost 3 and won 6 of our last 7. Unfortunately the weather and cups means that we have only played 7 league games. We have won our last three. An interesting springboard for 2007. We need to continue the good work. Thanks to Lofty and all the squad their commitment and effort and special thanks to Jeff for great coaching sessions. Happy Christmas.

13th January
Merton 2 - 4 Old Cathusians (Home) (AFA Senior Cup)
Scorers: Dray, Tilley
Report: This defeat signals the end of our cup hopes for this season. The Council ground staff had worked really hard to get the pitch playable but it was still a difficult surface. The opposition are the only other club apart from Wimbledon to win both the FA Cup and the Amateur Cup. They did that before 1900. They were resplendent in their magenta, pink and blue striped shirts and this cancelled out our usual advantage bestowed by the all yellow kit. We created a really good early chance when Woody fizzed across their goal but Bully just failed to direct it into their net. We went one behind to a spawny goal from sloppy defending. It is the nature of my view of the game that we always concede awful goals like that whilst ours are a thing of beauty created by wonderful flowing football. And so it was with our equaliser on the half hour, when Rudi bursting through from midfield latched on to Bully’s flick and drove it home from 10 yards. Rudi (3 in 3 games) is our man in form.
We then probably had our best period of the game and created some good chances but failed to put them away. Jeff also made a couple of outstanding saves. The second half team talk did not work the magic that theirs did and Old Cs took the initiative and pegged us back. They took the lead somewhat controversially when the ball struck their forwards arm and it fell nicely for him to score with two other forwards in offside positions near our keeper. Despite a lot of Merton created debate the ref failed to disallow it. Falling behind did bring some urgency into our play and we had the old triple substitution up our sleeve. Thommo came on won a corner and took a nasty curling in swinger which James Tilley headed powerfully in for the equaliser. (82mins). Thommo and Geordie got booked in their comeback games to show that they still had the old flair for getting up the ref’s nose. With 5 mins to go a well worked long throw routine with a near post flick on and far post finish won the old Cs the game which they rounded off with another goal as we threw men forward. It was a good game played in a good spirit and a fair result on the day. We did not do enough. Although we played some surprisingly good passing football so did they and they did it for more of the game than we did. Now back to the league. Max Herbert.

27th January
Merton 0 -1 Carshalton (Home) (League)
Report: Our first league game since November 26th brought our first home league defeat of the season, but it was only our third home game. The council had put 15 tons of sand on the pitches in the week but they were only just playable. The game was really a battle and did not look as if there would be much in it. Although we got two good strikes away early on from Thommo and Glen, both going narrowly wide they were slightly against the run of play and Carshalton settled better and played the better football. They had easily the best chance of the first half when some good passing led to a great cross to the far post and powerful header but Jeff made an equally good save. The only goal of the game came after about 15 minutes of the second half when a well flighted free kick curled across our defence and their forward came round the back to head powerfully home. In fact we responded well and probably had our best period of the game and made and missed a couple of chances and their very competent keeper made one really good interception from a fizzing cross. Carshalton have won a good few games lately and it was easy to see why. They were well organised with a strong defence and some pace. They are serious candidates for promotion. We paly them again in two weeks and we will need to be at our sharpest if we are to get anything from it. Max Herbert

3rd February
Merton 2 -1 Norseman (Away) (League)
Scorers: Lilley, Thomas
Report: This might be as good as it gets. We visited Norsemen, who have a lovely ground, a pitch with grass all over, state of the art changing rooms, friendly bar and hospitable people and we were able to enjoy it all to its maximum, winning a very competitive but honest encounter. There was also the usual amount of drama that we usually inject into memorable days. This time it started with Jeff (GK) being delayed in traffic and only turning up just as we were about to kick off with son and heir in goal. Norsemen started better and pressed. We got into the game after about twenty minutes but both teams seemed to cancel each other out. In the second half we seemed much more committed and got on top. We went ahead after an hour. Thommo was fouled on the edge of the box and he blasted the free kick into the top corner. He had to come off shortly after. It might have been from the kick he received or from the exertions of exuberant celebrating. (The only downside to having Thommo in the side is he gets his shorts very dirty with his trade mark sliding tackles. The socks have not reacted well to the hot wash that this necessitates. The team may need to come early for next week’s game to get some stretching done). Rado came on for Thommo and as Norsemen pushed up for the equaliser, he flicked a header on that played Glenn through. He took the ball on and tucked it into the corner. Of course we conceded in the last few minutes so we could enjoy a bit more drama before the vital three points were secured. I thought the forward was offside for their goal but our back four owned up after the game and the ref got that right as well. The game was played in pretty good spirit and well refereed by John Hall, who always seemed to be in the right place to make his decisions with a firm common sense approach. This was one of our best performances against a very solid side who are currently topping our division. We had four regulars missing but the players who came in did more than we could have asked. Although neither keeper had many saves to make Jeff must have felt pretty good at the way we followed through so well on what he has been coaching us to do. It was also good to see some of our injured players making the trip to support the team. It is the return game against Carshalton next Saturday and one we need to win. All round this was a pretty good day. (And went a long way to making up for our Match day programme only being awarded two stars by the non league digest in the issue they sent me that morning). Max Herbert

17th February
Merton1 -1 Ibis (Home) (League)
Scorer: Lilley
Report: This was a slightly disappointing home performance against a side that were a lot better than their lowly league position suggested. Paul Cardazzone, in goal for our hard working coach, made a great save early on and ibis probably had the better of a goalless first half. We probably did enough to win the game in the second half but did not convert our chances. We scored early in the second half when their defender was wrong footed by an awkward bounce and Glenn volleyed home. We had chances to increase the lead but poor finishing prevented us. A good defensive performance was undone by a single lapse and the points were shared. Ibis have got a hard job to avoid the drop this season but they have the ability and spirit to do it. But draws are no good to anyone these days. This week we are back on the road with a visit to HSBC.

24th February
Merton1 - 3 HSBC (Away) (League)
Scorer: Bull
Report: Another club with great facilities but we were unable to do ourselves justice. The score line suggests a pretty one sided game but it was a bit closer than that. We failed to take our chances early on and HSBC punished us for our defensive lapses and if it had not been for some fine saves from Jeff it might have looked a lot worse. We started pretty well spraying the ball about and making use of a big playing surface. We created and missed three good chances before HSBC scored from their first real chance. We came back at them but soon conceded a second. It stayed 2-0 to half time but HSBC had got on top. Their two centre backs were dominating and stifling us. We started the second half well but conceded from a set piece. We then pressed hard and created a good goal (Bully) but it turned out to be a mere consolation in a better second half performance. It was some consolation that the 4s had won their top of the table battle on an adjoining pitch. Facilities and hospitality were excellent and we will have a chance next week to show them we are better than that back at the Hood. Max Herbert

3rd March
Merton 0 - 2 Carshalton (Away) (League)
Report: We slipped to our third consecutive defeat at the hands of a strong Carshalton side who currently lead our division. Again it was a failure to convert our good chances into goals that was a major contributing factor to our downfall. After an even goal less first half where we wasted the slightly better chances Carshalton started to get on top in the second half and their pressure lead to a penalty (?) and the lead. After fighting back and putting them under pressure and missing a couple of chances we finally did convert a chance but it was one of theirs and an own goal made the points safe for Carshalton. The pitch was in surprisingly good condition and they have a very nice set up at Carshalton and we enjoyed their hospitality. We need to work hard at training to rediscover our form and confidence for the run in. Training at 7.45 on Wednesday with a big game against a tough HSBC side.

10th March
Merton 0 -1 HSBC (Home) (League)
Report: This was a pretty poor performance by any standards. This was the worst we have played for some time. We gave away a goal after about 20 mins and missed a penalty. Although we dominated the second half it was more in hope than anything else. We made fewer chances but we re still able to miss them all. To finish off a dismal day Alan Clowes came off the bench in his comeback game after long absence through injury from the 1s and in an aerial challenge cut his cheek (4 stitches) and fractured his cheekbone.. We need to buckle down and get back to winning ways.

17th March
Merton 3 -1 BB Eagles (Away) (League)
Scorers: Cook, White
Report: With our recent poor run of results this was a key win for us in almost a 6 pointer at the wrong end of the table. It was a big bobbly pitch with a strong wind which assisted BB Eagles in the first half. Although we had the majority of the play we did not make many clear cut chances and fell behind to an unstoppable 30 yard pile driver after about 20 minutes. In the second half we rallied really well and won the game with goals from 3 set pieces. That is not like us. Cooky heading home a Lofty corner, then Lofty scoring from a free kick which was rather needlessly conceded and finally Lofty heading home from a Thommo corner. We had chances to increase our advantage but spurned them. In the closing stages BB Eagles got understandably frustrated and lost their discipline and picked up some bookings. We showed excellent discipline and did not get involved. We held out quite comfortably as you say after the game is over. The game was excellently controlled by Mr. Addison who was happy to explain all his decisions which suited some of our team who always like to engage the ref in discussion about the finer points. BB Eagles were nothing like the side who drew with us a year ago when we were both securing promotion. This is a tough division when confidence and luck desert you. They have three games that they will need to win if they are to stay up. We have our three regulars back next week so with 17 to choose from there will be some disappointments. We have 6 games to play and five of them are at home. Max Herbert

24th March
Merton 3 - 4 Old Actonians (Home) (League)
Scorers: Clapperton, Lilley 2
Report: Again a sub standard performance from our boys. Playing into a strong wind in the first half I thought we played quite well and had the majority of the play and the better chances. They took the lead surprisingly from a speculative cross that was forced home. Clappers equalised forcing home after the keeper had saved his header. They took a half time lead when a poor defensive clearance ricocheted back into our danger area for them to score. In the second half, with the wind we were able to force the game and take a 3-2 lead without really playing much proper football. Glenn got the two goals finishing off a good thru ball and then robbing their centre back to give us the lead. While this had been going on Old As had been getting more involved in the game getting the ball down and passing it and playing football into a strong wind. While we fell into the trap of hit and hope with the wind. They equalised when we conceded a cheap penalty. They took the lead when they were given time and space to deliver a deep cross from the right and head home well for their best goal. We missed the chance to equalise right at the end which might have been a fairer result. But I was left with the feeling that they wanted it more than us and had the nous to get it. This is part of a learning experience in a tough division. We suffered serious injuries to two of our player with Cooky and Thommo having to go off and being out for some time. Max Herbert

14th April
Merton 0 - 2 Weirside Rangers (Home) (League)
Report: Another home defeat to add to a succession of poor recent performances. We were outplayed for much of the first half and could have been 3-0 down at half time but for some wayward finishing and good goalkeeping. After a half time team talk we came out and played much better in the second half creating a few good chances which we were unable to convert. But we gave away a sloppy goal and then lost our discipline. We dealt less well with adverse refereeing decisions than Weirside who had just as much to complain about. This did not help us and it is not the first time but ought to be the last. Weiside added a second and deservedly wrapped up the points. They are now pushing for promotion we are just avoiding relegation. Since we beat them 4-1 at their place early in the season, somewhat fortuitously they have they have become a very good side with good team spirit. We need to regroup and work hard otherwise next season could be difficult for the wrong reasons. (Max Herbert)

17th April
Merton 3 - 3 Bank of England (Home) (League)
Scorers: Clapperton, Bull, Geordie
Report: Well we managed a point at home. This was an important game for the Bank who needed to win to avoid relegation. We dominated the first half and went two up from well orchestrated set pieces. Thommo crossing first for Bully to head back for Geordie to head home and then for Bully to score. A Third goal was disallowed that might have made life easier but injuries to Bully and Clappers both out till the end of the season weakened us. In the second half the Bank really got down to it and pressed hard scoring three goals and taking the lead. We scored the all important equaliser with only a couple of minutes to go. A desperate blow to the Bank after their spirited fight back. Clappers limping headed home a Thommo corner. The game was played in a commendable spirit, particularly commendable for the Bank to whom it meant so much, and was well reffed by Chris O’Connor. And like all good amateur Sport it ended with a few drinks in the bar. As their manager said it wasn’t the last two minutes that relegated them but their performance in early season. Similarly we have survived because of pre Christmas form not for what we have done since. We have a very talented team and we need to work hard together for one another as a team. We have earnt another year in a very good second division. We need to make sure we enjoy it. Also apologies to The BB Eagles boys who came to watch. It must have been even worse for you than for us. (Max Herbert)

Site Map