Category: Match Reports 3s

With players unavailable due to various reasons there was once again a slight reshuffle in the pack this week. A new player Ryan Tillman was at our disposal and also the return from a long absence of Dean Porter after a late call up gave us our starting 11 and the two named subs.

Pressure was high on us this week with recent results still painful in the memory and with a rapid slide down the league table this had turned into a relegation battle game and a must win. With the manager serving a touchline ban this added pressure on the players to deliver a performance.

The game kicked off and we started putting a few passages of play together but the ball not falling right for our attacking line. With Richard at right back he was able to bomb up and down the flank superbly beating their left back all day long. Unfortunately the crosses and the passes into the box were just not falling for us.

Our defence was newly formed again this week and it was clear that there were some communication errors here that needed to be fixed quickly. Unfortunatelty these were not fixed quick enough and with esthamians realising that their chance would come by dropping the ball over the top of the defence for their pacey strikers, it was this style of attack which unlocked our back door. A throughball straight through the middle of our defence and the line staggered, playing their number 8 onside, allowed him to slip through unmarked and slide the ball easily past Chris Outred in goal. Heads instantly dropped and our game became sloppy, the ball constantly pinballing from attack to defence. It was all of 10 minutes later before another similar style of attack from esthamians, this time however with Chris scampering out, their player used a clever dink to lift lift the ball into the back of the net, a good finish and now 2-0 down.

Half time came and a defeated looking Merton strolled from the pitch. In honesty it was a poor first half performance with no determination to get a result.

Words were said and it was good to hear constructive criticism and people agreeing as to where the mistakes were made. I think this actually brought the team together to realise we had to work harder as a unit and take more responsibility on the ball and support others. With one change at half time, Nikko off and Ryan Tillman on, the team entered the second half with a little more fire in the bellies.

From the first seconds of the second half we were hussling for the ball and pressing much higher up the pitch. Ryan Tillman making an instant impact taking on players and creating chances for the forward line. With Dan Outred and Richard Egglestone pressing on from the back we really had Esthmanians on the back foot and despite pumping the ball forward our class was starting to show. Thomas Taylor crashed a shot on the turn against the bar, Perry had a shot from distance wide and Mike Reed sent a header just wide of the post from a corner.

Dean Porter then came on for the injured Shaun and Leon left centre back to use his power and pace up top. The pressure was on and it was almost an instant effect as Leon used his strength to hold off their defender before a cross swung into the box found its way across to Ryan Stevens on the back post who easily tapped home for 2-1. Game on.

The defence was comfortable as the game was now being played in our attacking third. It was just a matter of getting another goal and it was duly deserved when Ryan Tillman hit a great finish from the corner of the box which rifled home for 2-2.

Thomas Taylor hit the post and then a long ball from Dean in defence sat up nicely for Taylor to knock home but he scuffed it under pressure past the post. Another cross from the impressive Ryan Tillman wouldnt sit up for Perry or Ryan who were both anxiously trying to poke the ball home and a late cross and attempted diving header from Ryan Stevens that was missed by a matter of inches was the story of the game. If we finished our chances we could have easily had 6 or 7 in the second half.

Full time 2-2.

The return leg away with Old Esthmanians is next on the agenda and is a must win game! Judged on our second half performance if we get out of the box quicker and ensure we finish our chances there is no doubt that we can start putting distance between us and relegation and back to a more respectable league position.

We showed heart in the second half and the man of the match was split this week between Mike Reed and Richard Egglestone.

MOM:Mike Reed, Richard Egglestone

Report by:Dean Porter

A game that started with a lot of promise ended with disappointment due to a number of errors at crucial points in the game. The football played by the 3s was causing Old Salesians a few difficulties and we were getting in behind them a fair bit, with Sayumg Pibulsonggram getting a lot of the ball and having a number of runs at their defence. We had a couple of chances with the score at 0-0, with Perry Byrne’s well struck shot hitting the defender and ricocheting out and a cross of ours was also deflected onto the opposition’s bar. After about 25 minutes in, a lack of decisiveness in dealing with a long ball and then a wayward back-heal put their striker in to score with no mistake. Shortly afterwards, Old Salesians crossed the ball in and their striker scored with a header, where we should definitely have done better dealing with it from a defensive point of view. We started to get ourselves back into the game and the score remained 2-0 until about 15 minutes to go, when a free kick was given for a rash challenge by one of our defenders. The free kick was taken and headed across the box to an unmarked player who had the easy job to slot it in. The season so far has been one of two halves, we know that we can play a whole lot better than we have been. It is important that we start to cut out the sloppy mistakes, which has been characteristic of recent performances, also to start believing in ourselves and bring back the play of our form before Christmas to avoid ourselves moving from being promotion contenders to being in a relegation dogfight.

MOM:

Report by:Lee Wilkinson

The 3s got off to a great start with Nicko Taylor-Hutton causing problems with his pace from the off – the same man scored in the second minute, and we seemed to be cruising.

Then two bad mistakes led to us going 2-1 down before Ryan Stevens had to come off just before half-time because he was feeling unwell – a big loss, with Tom Rowe coming on to replace him.

As if that was not bad enough (Ryan going off, not Tom coming on), captain Shaun McCullough, playing so well and skippering the side like a true leader, had to come off injured (fractured foot). His replacement, Leon, and the introduction of Dan for Toby, upped our tempo as both got stuck straight in. We were all over them – basically camping in there half, but the Weirside ‘keeper pulled off some incredible saves, not to mention us hitting the woodwork on several occasions. Just one of those days when we didn’t seem to have any luck. We need to turn things around asap..

MOM:

Report by:Lee Wilkinson

Against higher league opposition another tough match was on the cards for the 3s. After weather disruptions, the pitch was perfect for us to show our stuff. A very sloppy start caused us to go 2-0 down within the first 10 mins, and all looked lost, yet the 3s spirit shone through and we made this a great cup match. Sayumg was terrorising their fullbacks and we created loads of chances which we just could’t take advantage of. Until finally, a corner from Dean Wilkinson was met with a fantastic leap from Perry Byrne, 2-1! Just 5 mins later, another corner from Deano, met again by Perry, resulted in a tap in for Sayumg. 2-2! We went into the break at 2-2 and the belief was there by everyone. A couple of changes at half time and words spoke. 2nd half began very positively with our midfielders running the show. Eventually a long ball over the top created a chance for Thomas Taylor to round the keeper andput the ball in the empty net. 3-2! We looked like we were going to win it now. 10 mins later a great strikefrom AOB number 11 flew into the corner and yet again it was level. 3-3. The merton lads kept digging deepand finally came the winner, Taylor putting a wonderful cross, which was met by Sayumg with a superb diving header, with just 1 minute on the clock. 4-3 to merton and progression into the quarter finals. A great team performance, but man of the match was Sayumg Pibulsonggram, for his endless energy all game and a fantastic winner.

MOM:Sayumg Pibulsonggram

Report by:Glen Porter

After seeing Broomfield win their last game 15-0, we all knew this was going to be a hard match, and it certainly was that. After waiting for all of the opposition to arrive, meaning a delayed kick off, we finally started (or did we?) A usual slow start andsome sloppy defending early on, meant we went 1-0 down inside 5 minutes. A very organised opposition gave us huge problems down the middle of the pitch and at times it seemed as if the opposition had more players than us. Perry Byrne was trying to break up the play,but couldn’t do it on his own. We created a few chances but just couldn’t find that killer ball to break Broomfield down. And losing last year’s top scorer, Thomas Taylor through injury after just 10 minutes did not help matters either.

The half went on and Broomfield managed to break us down again and make it 2-0 just before half time. Tommy Saville yet again making a couple of very good saves to keep it to 2-0 at half time.

Words were said in the break and we still believed in ourselves and came out fighting in the 2nd half. A tactical move by the gaffer,putting Dulanie Richards up front paid off immediately after some great build up play all the way from the back, conducted by Dean Wilkinson, enabled Dulanie to slot in a ‘Walcott’ type finish in the corner. 2-1 to Broomfield. Back in it? 10 Minutes later Broomfield scored to cement their 2 goal lead again and to prove to us why they were top of the league. But did we lay down? The 3s don’t give up!

15 minutes left and we won a free kick on the half way line…Dean Wilkinson sent up the big boys and Perry Byrne bullied the goalie, who spilt the cross, onto Perry’s back for a simple volley for Glen Porter(off the shin) and in the back of the net. 3-2 to Broomfieldand should we dare to get that equalizer? The gaffer pushed Shaun McCullough into the midfield and left 3 at the back. Yet anothertactical change paid off. With just 1 minute left, the ball was lumped over the Broomfield defence and Shaun managed to nod the ball into his path and lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. A massive goal in our season and the team celebrated together.

The goal proved to be the last attack of the match, and the score ended 3-3. What a game!

The determination in this match showed how good we can be and that we should be competing for this league title. Still a long way to go….Next time….3 points will be won. Well done lads

Team: Tommy Saville, Daniel Outed, Glen Porter, Toby Palm, Richard Prospere, Shaun McCullough, Perry Byrne, Kieron Tiddy, Dean Wilkinson, Thomas Taylor, Dulanie Richards. Subs: Dan Hall, Chris Outred

MOM:Shaun McCullough

Report by:Glen Porter

After a couple of testing matches in the league, Merton 3s were looking for a positive start to their cup campaign. And that’s howit ended, full of positives.

A challenging 1st half brought the best out of our goalkeeper, Tommy Saville, and a slow start as usual for our outfield players meant we knew we had to raise our game against a very good Old Minchedenians side. Both teams coming close to scoring, with the best chance of the 1st half falling to Glen Porter with a header from a Thomas Taylor corner, which the keeper pulled out a first class save to deny a lead before half time.

Half time came and the team were full of energy, we knew it was a match where the 1st goal will win the game.

So the 2nd half began, with the introduction of David O’Neill from the bench….and so it begins…

Just 10 mins into the 2nd half the Merton football that we all love to see cut open the opposition’s defence. Richard Prospere cutting the midfield and defence open with a wonderful through ball which David O’Neill ran onto, one on one with the keeper and tucked it away very neatly to get his 1st goal for the club. 1-0 Merton.

Just about 5 mins later we won a penalty, which none other than Thomas Taylor, with excellent precision placed the penalty offthe post and in. 2-0 Merton.

Then the fun began, and Merton enjoyed a lot of the ball and created a lot of chances. Dean Wilkinson was then put in on goal and he didn’t fail to improve the score further after yet another tidy finish. 3-0 Merton.

Thomas Taylor then put David O’Neill in on goal for his 2nd of the match and a lovely finish made this game won. The usual solid performances from Perry Byrne, Richard Prospere and Dan Outred meant the defence was able to keep a clean sheet and our goal was no longer at threat.

Game finished 4-0 to Merton and a great start to the cup. It is a long road, but there is no reason why we can’t compete for this cup. Lets keep this up!

Team: Tommy Saville, Glen Porter, Daniel Outred, Richard Prospere, Shaun McCullough, Perry Byrne, Dean Wilkinson, Thomas Taylor, Dulanie Richards, Chris Outred, Dean Porter. Subs: Toby Palm, Dan Hall, David O’Neill

MOM:David O’Neill

Report by:Glen Porter

After a very productive pre season and some very good results, Merton 3rd XI were looking for a positive start to the league campaign. With a couple of late drop-outs it wasn’t the most ideal start to the season, but nevertheless, made 2 late call-ups from the 4th XI and managed to field a team with 2 subs. This meant a reshuffle of the starting line up, but knew we had the quality to fill in where necessary.

The match began very well for us and we threatened the Wierside defence on many occasions but just not being able to test the keeper enough. Some great play from our midfielders enabled the Wierside game to be broken down effectively and managed to resort them tojust 1 shot which Tommy Saville was able to make a very smart save down to his left.

With about 30 mins gone David O’Neill managed to break down the play and play a great ball through the channel and Thomas Taylor worked hard to place the ball around the keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0 Merton. Some excellent tackles and work rate by the Outred brothers kept Wierside’s wingers at bay for the rest of the 1st half.

Half time felt good and lots of water taken on board. Some wise words spoken by our captain Dean Wilkinson, and everyone was readyto go for the 2nd half.

2nd half was a lot of the same, midfielders working hard for eachother and the back 4 being under control for the most part. We were getting the ball down and playing those “simple 5 yard balls” as the skipper would say. This was causing the opposition all sorts of problems and just could not handle the pace of Dulanie Richards down the right wing. Chances were being created, but some excellent goalkeeping denied Thomas Taylor of a flurry of goals. Chris Outred also coming very close. All we really needed now was that 2nd goal, but unfortunately with what I can recall as Wierside’s only real chance in the 2nd half, a wonder strike flew in the top corner. 1-1.

Both teams could have nicked the win late on, but Wierside came the closest with a shot which Daniel Outred headered off the line. The whistle went and the game had finished 1-1.

There was some disappointment at the end of the match, but still lots of positives to be taken from this game for the rest of the season.

Team: Tommy Saville, Richard Prospere, Daniel Outred, Toby Palm, Glen Porter, David O’Neill, Dean Wilkinson(c), Ricardo Iglesias, Dulanie Richards, Chris Outred, Thomas Taylor. Subs: Dean Porter, Dan Smith

MOM:Daniel Outred

Report by:Glen Porter

A great performance against decent opposition on a shocking pitch.

The first thing to mention is the (second) pitch at Finchleans. They have put in a new drainage system, and while that will hopefullyhave long term benefits for the club the immediate result is a soft, slippy, sandy pitch full of holes and poorly filled trenches which is, unsurprisingly, very difficult to play on. It could be argued that a pitch demanding nothing else but strong, no-nonsense football actually suited us down to the ground, but I don’t envy Finchleans having to play on it for the rest of the season.

It was an excellent, committed performance, apart from the first five minutes when I was largely responsible for Finchley taking the lead. Set-piece delivery was a challenge for everyone all afternoon because your standing foot would just go, and a goal kick taken by me, up the hill, was hit hard enough but too low – straight onto the head of Finchleans centre forward who nodded it over our defence for their nippy young left winger to run on to and bear down on me and John in the area at pace. My only defence for being caught very flat footed was not having played for 4 weeks (which is not an insignificant issue when you’re nearly 40), but it’s no excuse really. After going past me with ease his low shot was pushed out by John but the rebound was tucked in by an onrushing attacker. 1-0 down, and a very bad start.

Undaunted, and demonstrating a burgeoning team spirit and confidence, Merton pushed forward seeking an immediate equaliser. A couple of half chances came and went before, on 10 minutes, Darren Pearce won one of many, many headers in their box from a set-piece; the ball broke to Paul Riches who looked to have been pushed too wide but his clever, delicately chipped ball from the bye-line back across goal was nodded in at close range by Dan Smith.

We didn’t have to wait too long before taking the lead. After 18 minutes, a through ball from Ryan at right back released Dan Smith through a Finchley defence caught square, and he clinically poked it under the keeper.

Old Finchleans, who played some decent stuff at times, came back strongly and caused us significant problems for a couple of sustained periods in the first half. Only a stunning one-fisted save by John prevented a great volley from 25 yards dipping under the bar,and kept the scoreline in our favour. As the game edged closer to the break Merton started to get a much stronger grip on the game. The midfield battle was being won and we could have scored one or two more. Dan Smith put a close range header over the bar which should have been taken to complete another hat trick, and we caused them havoc from a series of set-pieces, a theme which was set to continue. 2-1 at half-time.

We came out all guns blazing in the second half and a crucial goal in the first minute, a tidy left foot finish from a tricky angle by Tiddy, after a throw was flicked on by Pearcey at the near post. It was arguably the decisive goal because we went from strength to strength after that. The work rate and determination from everyone was brilliant and Finchleans were not in any way allowed back into the game. They had their chances, notably a great shot which produced an even better save from (MOM) John, and a header froma corner which was brilliantly headed from under the bar by Ricardo, but it was largely one way traffic.

On 58 minutes Ricardo put the game to bed with a cracking volley from 20 yards after Finchleans, yet again, failed to deal with the Essex throw and Pearcey flick on combination. Every time we got in the box, all game, we looked like we were going to score, and were nearly always first to the second ball.

On 75 minutes Luke Freestone who looked lively when he came on, punished Finchleans for their continuing problems from set pieces with a blasted snap-shot from 6 yards after – you guessed it – another throw was won in the air by Pearcey. While it’s true we scored4 out of 5 goals from set-pieces we had many other good openings from open play. Merton played some incisive football going forward, particularly in the second half, and we could have scored a few more on another day. Dan Smith couldn’t quite grab his 3rd hat-trick ofthe season and Dan Kelly, who worked his socks off again, probably should have had a couple himself.

It was one of those games when it was difficult to make substitutions because everyone had played so well. The midfield, to a man,were brilliant but in particular I want to mention Ricardo Iglesias who, for the first time this season, turned up on time. For good measure he scored a stunner, saved a certain goal and hit several tackles that Javier Mascherano would have been proud of. We want more of this.

The Dans up front work exceptionally hard for the team and it feels like we have a genuine cutting edge in the team at present. We were solid and organised across the back and Darren Pearce had one of those games when he won pretty much every header, out of lots of headers. John Himsworth won man of the match because of his brilliant saves but quite a few players were in contention for the award.

Essex is reading this now and is just about to realise that I haven’t forgotten to mention that he nearly scored the goal of the season from near the half way line, late on in the game. He couldn’t have hit his (slightly speculative) shot any better and it lookedto be heading, bullet-like, for the top corner while the keeper could only watch helplessly, but it went wide by a gnat’s whisker. Maybe it’s a good thing that it didn’t go in, because we would NEVER, EVER have heard the last of that one.

This was an excellent performance all round, but it won’t mean that much unless we go out next week and do it again at Kew. We will be missing a few players for various reasons but we now have the squad to cope with this and get a result. Let’s keep this momentumgoing.

Team: John Himsworth, Shaun Jones, Darren Pearce, Ryan Perry, Paul Riches (Simon Murphy 65), Kieran Tiddy, MarcCottrell(c), Ricardo Iglesias, Mark Wrigley (Luke Freestone, 60), Dan Smith, Dan Kelly.

MOM:John Himsworth

by:Shaun Jones

Following last week’s disappointing result at Norsemen we arrived in Carshalton with a full squad, although still without Shaun Jones and a host of others. This meant three players making their Merton 3rd team debut for the season from the bench, Mark Wrigley, Luke Freestone and Tony Postleweight.

We were quietly confident heading into the match with what we thought was an improving Carshalton side with three wins on the trot. From the warm up though it was clear they were missing a few players. With this is mind, we set out in a 3-5-2 formation with Simon Murphy and Chris Callus given the tough wing back duties.

From the kick off we were in the ascendancy, although were nearly caught out once or twice early on from Carshalton breaks. After 15 minutes we took the lead, with good built up play leading to Dan Smith being brought down in the box. He stepped up and clinically put the penalty away.

Our second followed shortly after, with some great play down the right hand flank. A series of passes left Dan S near the corner flag, after holding off a challenge, a simple pass inside found Chris who had run from deep unmarked. His well-placed cross found Kieran Tiddy who’s shot was blocked, but as he often is, Dan Kelly was on hand to smash home the rebound from a few yards out.

We continued to press and should have made it three with some guilt edge chances being missed. We were made to pay for this after 40 minutes, when some soft defending from a Carshalton quick free kick, allowed their centre forward to dribble 10 yards before scoring with a shot from 25 yards, that John Himsworth was not quite able to get a hand too. A quality finish, but slack on our behalf.

Whilst conceding just before half time, we remained confident at the break. We remained unchanged for the second half and while under a few brief moments of pressure at the start of the half, our back three of Paul Riches, Darren Pearce and Ryan Perry continued to look relatively comfortable with Carshalton’s forward line.

After 55 minutes we regained our two goal margin. Another piece of good build up left Dan K bearing down on goal from 8 yards out, when he was clumsily brought down from behind. Whilst no card was given, Dan S stepped up to casually put away his second penalty of the day.

A series of substitutions followed, with Tony coming on for Ricardo Iglesias, Luke on for Dan K and Mark for Chris.

15 minutes later we killed off the game, a long throw from Mark was flicked on by a Carshalton player, with the ball finding its way to Kieran Tiddy on the edge of the box, who hit a beautiful side foot volley into the far post top corner. (Clearly the goal of the day!)

With the Carshalton heads now down we continued to push forward in search a fifth. The goal came with 10 minutes to go, more positive play down the right left Marc Cottrell in space outside the box. After a touch inside, he slotted home from 20(ish) yards… and the ‘crowd went wild’… In truth, it was a quality strike, only marginally bettered by Tiddy’s volley.

With the game now waning, a Carshalton corner resulted in our 6th goal of the day. After dealing with the corner, the well played clearance down the park left Dan S one on one with the keeper, which was placed calmly into the corner of the net to complete Dan’s second hat trick in the last month.

With the game now all but over, we conceded a silly free kick in the last minute, 25 yards out. Their best player stepped up and slotted direct from the free kick, a quality strike to end a disappointing day for Carshalton.

It was a well-deserved three points, and proved valuable in ensuring we kept up with the leading pack (The top 5 sides all winning this week, including a Norsemen 10-0 win – making our loss last week all the more respectable). We will need to ensure we approach next week’s game away against Old Finchleians with the same positive approach, seeking an improved performance following the 2-2 draw with them in October.

Team – John Himsworth, Ryan Perry, Darren Pearce, Paul Riches, Simon Murphy, Ricardo Iglesias (Tony Postleweight 55), Kieran Tiddy, Marc Cottrell, Chris Callus (Mark Wrigley 70), Dan Smith, Dan Kelly (Luke Freestone 65).

MOM:Paul Riches

by:Ryan Perry