The SAL Representative Team battled back strongly from being a goal down at the break to earn a well-deserved draw in the annual friendly against the Arthurian League, played last Wednesday (4th March) at Dulwich Hamlet FC. Despite not being at their best in the first half, the SAL went close to opening the contest in sensational fashion through Alex Ewin whose 1st minute effort beat the Arthurian League keeper only to bounce agonisingly wide of the far post. The Arthurian League players soon settled though and in the 20th minute, they took the lead whilst the SAL defenders looked for a linesman’s flag that never came; indeed, although the goal scorer finished extremely well, he had nevertheless been a country mile offside when the ball was played to him. After the break an improved display from the SAL looked likely to produce an equaliser but time and time again they were thwarted by the Arthurian League keeper who was having an inspired game between the sticks. However, almost midway through the half, the sheer persistence of Chris Kerr saw him rob the ball from a defender on the touchline, before racing to the bye line and sending an inviting cross to the near post, where the prolific Ewin fired the SAL back on level terms. Having got the all-important leveller, the SAL surged forward in search of a second and winning goal but with the Arthurian League keeper continuing to foil them, they eventually had to settle for the draw.
Merton Football Club was again represented by Ian Lewis and James Fiveash.
Southern Amateur League: Dan Ashley (Nottsborough), Chris Shaw (Old Salesians), Dave Howson (Nottsborough), James Ayres (Old Salesians), Jack Gavin (Old Salesians), Matt Kerr (Nottsborough), Mark Jamieson (Old Parkonians), Sean Gavin (Old Salesians), Rob Tromans (Old Parkonians), Alex Ewin (Nottsborough), Nathan Violet (Nottsborough), Anthony Jeanerette (Southgate Olympic), Chris Kerr (Nottsborough), Paul Checketts (Polytechnic), Luke Allen (Weirside Rangers), James Fiveash (Merton)
Team Manager: Bob Leeds (Old Finchleians) Coaches: Ian Lewis (Merton) & Pat Folan (Broomfield) Cambridge University 1-0 Southern Amateur League
A solitary goal just two minutes from time was enough for the Blues of Cambridge University to defeat the SAL Representative Team in the annual friendly played at Grange Road on Tuesday, 20th February.
On an extremely testing playing surface, the contest, despite at times being very competitive, rarely reached the level of previous meetings between the two teams. However, having enjoyed the better of the possession during the first half, the SAL should have been ahead at the break, after fashioning the best move of the entire match – Neil Currie getting on the end of a ball played across the six-yard box but unfortunately failing to keep his effort down, which flew over the bar.
The SAL continued to press for an opening after the interval but though threatening on numerous occasions, they never really troubled the home keeper. Then, with the game heading for a goalless draw, a dubious decision from the referee saw the Blues awarded a free-kick well within shooting range of the SAL goal. Although the resulting kick didn’t appear to be struck too fiercely, it nevertheless managed to evade defenders and attackers alike, finishing-up in the back of the net to earn the hosts an unlikely victory.
A number of players, among them Merton’s Steve Keenan and Paul Pearce had withdrawn from the original squad, leading to unexpected call-ups for others, including Jon Beale, Cameron Clark and Graham Wilgoss who were added to the revised squad that already included Merton team mate, James Fiveash.
After the game, SAL President, Norman Bunton presented James Fiveash with a representative tie to mark the defender’s five appearances in SAL colours.
Southern Amateur League: Jon Beale (Merton), Chris Shaw (Old Salesians), Andrew Diston (Old Finchleians), Paul Checketts (Polytechnic), Jack Gavin (Old Salesians), Graham Wilgoss (Merton), Luke Allen (Weirside Rangers), Neil Currie (West Wickham), Brenton Amadee (Kew Association), Alex Ewin (Nottsborough), Tolu Popoola (Alexandra Park), James Fiveash (Merton), Graham Smith (Ibis), Shaun Gavin (Old Salesians), Cameron Clark (Merton)
Southgate Olympic FC 75th Anniversary Fixture
Ian Lewis selected four Merton players in his SAL Representative Team squad for the fixture to celebrate Southgate Olympic’s 75th Anniversary, which was played at Barrowell Green on Sunday (12 Oct). And all four, Steve Keenan, James Fiveash, Alex Herbert, and Paul Pearce were in the starting line-up as the SAL ran out comfortable 6-1 winners. In near perfect conditions for football, and despite Chris Davidson (Winchmore Hill) having seen his early spot kick saved, Chris Morgan (Old Parkonians) soon stabbed home to open the scoring for the SAL. Moments later, James Fiveash coolly dispatched a second SAL penalty to double the lead. However, Olympic reduced the deficit when one of their forwards found the back of the net with a powerful strike. But with half-time approaching, the SAL restored the two-goal advantage, courtesy of an Andy Gyves (Crouch End Vampires) effort. After the break, the SAL continued to create chances, eventually leading to skipper, Owen Myles (Civil Service) grabbing his first goal at representative level. With the game effectively ended as a contest, substitutes Josh Toumany and Oraldo Kola (both Old Stationers) were sent on for their first taste of senior representative football. The two youngsters didn't disappoint, as first Toumany, delivered the perfect ball for Myles to score with a powerful header. Then, with just minutes remaining, Kola completed the scoring, finishing well after Toumany, clear and through on goal, had unselfishly squared the ball to him. Congratulation to Fiveash and Pearce who having each now attained five appearances can look forward to receiving their representative ties.
AFA Representative Team News
Those supporters lucky enough last Wednesday evening (8th October) to have taken the time out to get along to Tolworth in Surrey, were treated to an absolute goal feast, as the AFA Representative Team defeated Oxford University FA by seven goals to three in what was an enthralling and fabulously entertaining game played at Corinthian Casuals FC. The AFA scorers on the night it seemingly rained goals, were skipper, Matt Rolfe (Nottsborough) who got the equaliser after Oxford had opened the scoring, David Laird (Old Aloysians) with a first half brace, substitute Nick Stavri (Nottsborough), and Jake Berry (Old Minchendenians) who hit a hat trick. In reply, all the Oxford goals came from their outstanding centre-forward, Alex Toogood who gave an impressive individual display and fully deserved his hat trick.
Merton’s Paul Pearce came off the bench to enter the fray after an hour, marking his fifth appearance in AFA colours with an accomplished display on the left side of midfield where he linked well with both defenders and forwards alike, only being denied his second AFA goal when with ten minutes remaining, the Oxford keeper kept out his effort from the edge of the 18-yard box with a smart stop at the far post.
After the game, Pearce was presented with his AFA tie by Team Secretary, John Wilson.
Old Westminster Citizens Centenary. OWCS 1 SAL Rep side 4 It was OWCs centenary game and with Ian Lewis acting manager for the rep side 4 Merton Lads found themselves on duty on Sunday morning. And they did the club proud in a good win for the rep side and helped the festivities for our old friends. The equaliser after OWCs had gone ahead was a trade mark goal out of the Merton scrap book with Thommo striking a deep left footed corner and Lofty at the far post heading it back. Gash was at the right side of a back 3 with Sherbs right wing back. The lads are pictured after the game exhausted with 5hrs football in 5 days. But well done to them and Ian Lewis. Good luck to Old West Citz and Jock Henderson who put on such a good show. From left to right: James Fiveash, Alex Herbert, Simon White, Mark Thomas, Ian Lewis
First trophy of season for Merton FC 19th September was Merton FC night at the dogs. Many thanks to those who turn up for the event (all six of us). Wimbledon dogs laid on a competition between Merton Fc and 5 other football clubs within the stadium. Each team was given a trap over 6 races. Each team collected points for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place dogs. Merton FC came first overall and was presented on the podium with a trophy and photo with the winning dog. This event maybe organised again in the next couple of months, look out for future dates or speak to Emma. Champion Club Fixture (Stuart Hyde Memorial Trophy)
James Fiveash, Paul Pearce and Ian Lewis were again all on SAL Representative Team duty last Sunday (14th September), as the SAL Representative team took on the 2007/08 SAL Champions West Wickham at Corkscrew Hill in the annual Champion Club fixture.
In near perfect conditions, an appreciative crowd were treated to an enthralling contest that saw the SAL fashion as many, if not more goal scoring opportunities than their hosts. However, when it came to converting these chances, the West Wickham forwards were by far the more clinical, with goals from Dan Haines (2), Matt King and Dave Adams taking the spoils. In reply, the SAL scored two very well-taken goals of their own - Rob Tromans of Old Parkonians sliding home the opener in the first half and James Ayres of Old Salesians completing the scoring late on.
In the bar afterwards, and after a serving of the finest West Wickham Spaghetti Bolognese, the presentation of the Stuart Hyde Memorial Trophy was made by League Chairman John Miller to victorious West Wickham skipper Neil Currie.
Crouch End Vampires 125th Anniversary Fixture
Congratulations to James Fiveash and Paul Pearce both of whom were in the SAL Representative team's line-up for the Crouch End Vampires 125th Anniversary fixture that was played at the north London Club's Coppets Road ground on Sunday, 7th September. We were further represented by Senior Squad Coordinator Ian Lewis, who assisted Bob Leeds with the team.
Despite the rain that had fallen in the days leading up to the game having left the pitch in a far from perfect condition, both sets of players acquitted themselves extremely well, even at times managing to play some attractive football on what was a very testing surface. The contest as expected was a tight affair with the hosts' giving a spirited performance. However, with the SAL always looking the more likely, two goals from Nick Haynes of Old Salesians saw them get their season off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory.
After the game, the anniversary celebrations continued with the Vampires and their guests sitting down to a meal, which was followed by a number of speeches and presentations, including the SAL players each receiving a memento of the day, and the Representative team officials being presented with Anniversary ties. The visitors were then treated to a rousing rendition of '' It’s a grand old team I play for'' sung by the Vampires first team squad.
Finally, as the Representative team party set-off for the journey home, it was clear the celebrations were due to be enjoyed long into Sunday evening.
