Category: Match Reports 6s

OLD BLUES 4

MERTON FC 2

I’m not sure if you’ve heard the news. It seems that last week some kind of virus swept across the South London area, causing men everywhere to suddenly become under-the-thumb and unavailable to play football on a Saturday. Please send get well cards, flowers and your best wishes to 6s stalwarts Kev, Chappell, Ty, Matt, Ram, Pete, Dave, Paul and Swanny. Get well soon boys!

Luckily, with Merton bursting at the seams with players this season, a massively depleted squad was filled out with some new faces. In came George, Callum and Trey, injecting pace into the squad and bringing the side’s total age down by about 400 years.

With the normal management team away Dan P and Beanz became the new gaffer and captain, and were given the difficult duty of breaking the team selection to the boys. With such holes in the starting eleven to fill, some players were making their Merton debuts and some players had to fill unfamiliar positions (sorry Scott).

Despite being a team of strangers it was surprisingly bright start by Merton, generally dominating 1^st half proceedings. On a massive Old Blues pitch Merton found space to play the ball around. Playing out from the back and finding space on the wings, Merton created chance after chance, but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor conversion meant that the opposition held in there.

On one particular spell of possession a cross managed to miss everyone, except the Old Blues full back who managed to start a quick break up the pitch, and all of a sudden we found ourselves 1-0 down against the run of play. Heartbreaking.

Changes needed to be made at half time to keep legs fresh and the new management team stressed that we had been unlucky, and if we kept playing the same way we’d quickly be back in the match. Cue Old Blues getting a second goal about a minute after the restart. A speculative 30 yard shot found stand in keeper Mike off his line.

Heads began to drop and we lost our way for 30 minutes of the 2nd half, struggling to get hold of the ball and to reproduce the positive football of the first half. Old Blues, on the other hand, grew more and more confident With so many defenders in the match squad, and with the new young lads playing really well up top, substitutions needed to happen at the back. This lead to some confusion, which Old Blues exploited with a long ball game, and soon found themselves up to a 4-0 lead.

At this point, playing only for pride, Merton began to find their feet again. We kept possession better, moved the ball quicker and began to find space behind the Old Blues defence. George, Callum and Trey showed no fear for such young lads and gave an experienced Old Blues defence horrible trouble.

With the game seemingly dead, Merton found themselves with an innocuous looking free kick from 30 yards. George did brilliantly to hit a venomous shot that beat the wall and the keeper. 4-1.

Merton kept playing and we were making incisive breaks into the Old Blues box. Again George found himself in possession, and with a tired looking Old Blues defence in front of him had a go. Cutting in from the left he beat one, he beat two, he beat three, he beat… well I lost count really, I was bloody knackered. 4-2.

The game was nearly over but we were still going for it. If we were only chasing one more we might have had a chance, but 4-2 was surely too big an ask, wasn’t it? Chasing the game, with George on a hattrick and stuck out on the wing, there was really only one decision acting manager Dan P could make… Yep, take George off for the last 5 minutes. Lets got let him get too big for his boots.

The chase was too big of an ask. If how much everyone was knackered at the end is any indication, it was a very good effort. Despite the result there are lots of positives to take. Chris and Adam put in a massive shift in the centre of midfield, Josh was a revelation at left back (sorry Kev), and the youngsters have a very bright future at Merton.

TEAM: Mike, Josh, Beanz, Dan P, Scott, George, Chris, Adam, Callum, Trey, Malcolm.

SUBS: Dan, George, Martin.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Any other day a few names could’ve been here, but for two brilliant debut goals I have to give it to George.

DICK OF THE DAY: All is forgiven Scott. You moody bastard.

This report is not going to be pretty so will keep and short and not so sweet!

This was our first league game of the season and with team slowly starting gel, hopes were high of getting our league campaign off to flier! How wrong we were!!

Things didn’t get off to the best of starts with players turning up late and one player, no names mentioned (JOHN!) not showing at all. This does not help when trying to get a warm up and starting 11 together and it really does put the team on the back foot straight away as concentration levels (by the manager!) was not at its best. To be fair, all involved have sent apologies, so let’s hope this is a one off.

Anyway to the game, we thought we would be in for a battle against a Carshalton team who ruffled a few Merton feathers in the past, however this was a new Carshalton team and from the off we could tell that this team was a team of good footballers and not hooligans. They were spraying passes from all over the place and most of the time found their target.

Anyway long and short of it was that we ended up losing 7-0. The only positive was that team never let their heads go down and did try to the end.

Anyway lets hope we can start afresh next week and put in a performance I know we are capable of.

Special mention to Josh, who gained a few votes and had a good game, but this week there was a clear winner in Dan P, who worked his sock off for 90 minutess and was unlucky not to grab a goal.

TEAM: Swanny, Ram, Martin, Kevin, Mark, Josh, Malcolm, Adam, Pete, Scott, Dan P

SUBS: Paul, Miguel

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dan Plaistow

DICK OF THE WEEK: Unanimous decision… John!

Another frustrating score line for Merton 6’s going down 4-1 at home to Old Salesians 3’s with the result not matching the performance. It was a very evenly matched game played in a competitive nature where either team would have been happy to walk away with a draw. It just seems that the team is being punished for every mistake or lapse of concentration so far this season and our attacking play not yielding the goals it deserves. At least the cup games are giving the squad the opportunity to get these issues out of the system before the league fully gets under way.

Old Salesians pinched the league from a corner midway through the first half, a very good delivery came in and after a scramble which included a brave goal line clearance from Ty (well a ball flat in the face and little was known about it!) the ball fell kindly to an unopposed player to slot home. Merton nearly drew level when a delivery from Paul or Chris (Can’t remember who so both have the credit) found Pete who produced a spectacular volley which somehow the goalkeeper managed to save and to be honest it just hit him, again Merton really not getting the rub of the green.

The game continued to go back and forth with little other opportunities in the first half and Merton going in 1-0 down at half time. The second half begin with Merton on top but the side could not quite find the composure in the final 3^rd to convert pressure into goals. Corners, free kicks and long shots came without a serious threat on target. The gaffer was beginning to throw his toys out of his pram as Chris tried his best with a few long range efforts into the children’s playground. Paul got down the flank countless times and delivered from the touch line without the players attacking to box able to convert.

And then it happened out of nothing Merton found themselves 2-0 down. There was no massive danger and the defence was well placed. A through ball blocked by Femi diverted out of the way of the collecting goalkeeper Lee with the ball almost in slow motion dribbling over the line, another massive slice of bad luck. It could of got worse if it wasn’t for another goal line clearance from Ram which this time diverted more kindly for us.

Merton’s heads remained high and the team continued to fight and then finally we were back in the game at 2-1. A deliver from a set-piece found the gaffer in space who leapt like a salmon to nod the ball over the approaching goalkeeper.

As the last 10minutes approached and with Merton chasing the game 2 quick goals came to kill the game. Less said about how these 2 goals came the better, lets just say all 4 goals that did come could have easily been avoided.

The positives are that despite the score lines games have been competitive, good football has been played and the team has always fought until the end. If it wasn’t for mistakes and bad luck all of the results could have been very different. Let’s hope the football gets the results it deserves when the league season begins.

Team: Lee, Ram, Chappell, Kevin, Femi, Ty, Jamie, Chris, Dan P, Paul and Pete.

Subs: George, Josh and Malcolm.

Dog of the Week: Even though he helped us out, Lee is awarded Dog for some flapping mistakes.

Man of the Match: Close this week with Kev, Chris, Jamie, Ty and Ram all having 2 votes each until the last vote came in. The final vote went to Ty somehow!!! Maybe it’s because I’m writing the match report or because I moaned at everyone for not voting but I promise it was no fix. Gaffer voted for me and said it’s because I always tried to do the right thing, not necessary that it always came off……

At last – a positive match report to write!

After the disappointment of the week before it was time to re-group and go again.

Things got off to a good start as almost everyone turned up on time, but there is always one late and this week it was Chris!

Starting line-up was as follows: Merton’s number 1, Swanny in goal, back 4 of Kev, Chappell, Beans and Martin.  The three midfielders were Ty, Paul and Matt and the three strikers were Scott, Pete and Dave. Impact subs were Ram, Malcolm and Chris.

Anyway to the game, after last week’s disaster it was safe to say we started the game much brighter and were at least to trying to move the ball quicker this week.  In the early stages of the game we created some great chances with Scott missing a guilt edge chance when one on one and Dave hitting the post, to which  I have never seen a ball hit the inside of a square post and go off for a throw in!

After making a few subs during the first half the momentum slightly shifted with South Bank coming back into the game but they failed to create any chances.  At half time the game was still 0-0.

After the half time team talk, we again started brightly and the first 15 minutes flew by – so much so that the ref didn’t know how minutes had gone (he was an entertaining chap!).

Mid-way through the half Merton’s breakthrough finally came.  A mix up in the South Bank defence and with a bit of pin ball around the box, Scott swept home for his first of the season.

After we scored South Bank came back into the game and had a couple of half chances.

Then as we entered the latter stages of the game, South Bank equalised.  It was disappointing as we had a throw in near the corner flag, but failed to capitalise and they broke quick.  Some of the squad say it was the left backs fault as he was up the field and failed to get back, the left back says it was a poor throw in and the centre half and keeper should have done better!

Anyway after they equalised with us being on top for most of the game, our heads slightly dropped and then the unthinkable happened.  A long ball over the top and with Chappell thinking he was on rugby pitch, he brought down the striker on then edge of the area.  Luckily he wasn’t last man and to be fair Chappell did slip, so it was only a booking.  From the resulting free kick, the striker bent the ball into the top corner (of the keeper’s side – sorry Swanny!) and they went 2-1 up.  We were all thinking the worse was going to happen and especially after we dominated the vast majority of the game.

With time ticking away, the lads re-focused and after a superb 40 yard pin point pass, the gaffer found Paul who outmuscled the defender to smash the ball high into the net for a deserved equaliser!

The game finished 2-2 and we move onto next week!

Special mention to the South Bank lads who played the game in a good, but competitive sprit and it was great to see them in the bar afterwards to discuss a few talking points.

Man of the Match:

To be fair this was a difficult decision as everyone had a good game.  After counting the votes Beans, Chappell and Paul got nominations but this week it goes to Dave who had the majority of votes and had a great game up top and held the ball up well!

Dog of the Day: Again a difficult decision – votes were received for Gaffer (who apparently went missing for the equaliser and wasn’t happy with the throwing!), Pete (for booting the ball away when upset with a decision, and was lucky not to get booked) and for Scott (for missing a sitter!). Unanimous decision this week though was for a player on competitive debut – step up Chris! (this was for being slightly late, then forgetting shin pads were part of the footballers attire!)

See you next week when we play Old Salesians!

Written by the Gaffer

Merton 6s vs Bank of England 6s 24^th January 2016

The 6s turned up in Roehampton at one of the best clubs in the league, Bank of England.  We got given changing room 2, which was massive.  We played on the converted marked out rugby pitch, this was very wide but short.  If we didn’t hit the back of the net, some of the players would definitely score a conversion. Skipper decided to try a different formation of 5 3 2.  This didn’t go well and found ourselves 2 – 0 down.  Their first goal was a free kick just outside the box and second against run of play.

Time for a change, George came off for Paul and back to 4 4 2.  This was better and we started to play football. We went in at half time 2 nil down.

Second half was a different ball game; we dominated and took the chances well.  First goal came from a Pete free kick, beautifully placed, although it did go though the keepers flapping hands. We continued to press, when Beans cleared from defence, it fell to Matt in the box, controlled well and slotted the ball in the bottom left corner, although some did say it rolled off and down the shin.  Bank did cause a few problems but Mo at the back and Man of the Match was solid, dominating and lead the back four to keep Bank from scoring.  His goal scoring time came when he picked up the ball inside Banks half, and like a charging bull took the ball past the Bank players and thumped the ball into the back of the net.  Merton had brought it back to 3 – 2 and was buzzing.  Subs were made, Dan P came off and Simon came on.  Forth goal came from the penalty spot, Martin done his usual forward run from right back, had a chance for shot on goal, when it struck the Bank players arm.  Ref pointed to the spot, Skipper wanted to take it, but was over ruled by the other Merton players and insisted Pete took it.  I think the Skipper wanted to add to his goal tallied to help improve his crazy bet at the beginning of the season, the rest of the players wanted a goal.  Pete stepped up and made it four.  Martin Made way for George for the last 10 minutes and Dan P came on for the injured Beans.  Merton held on and the final whistle was blown. This result against the others in league put the 6s third.  Back to the massive changing and to the bar for a well earned pint.  Old Wilsonians 9s next week, a must win as they have surprisingly beaten us twice this season.

Starting Eleven:

Swanny GK
Martin LWB
George RWB
Mo CB
Beans CB
Smithy CB (Skipper)
Matt CM
Ty CM
John CM
Dan  S
Pete S

Subs:
Simon
Paul

Merton 6s vs Old Wilsonians 9s
30^th January 2016

Old Wilsonians were a side last season that was bottom of the league and a side you knew you could come away with a win, not this season!! This was the 3rd time both teams have met this season and last two games Old Wilsonians 9s have taken the 6s by surprise and won.  Every player knew that this was the 6s time to win. Strong squad on paper, 3 subs and the choice of 9 pitches to choose from, the one that we were allocated was not a good choice.  A switch of pitch a usual quick usual 6s warm up and the game was under way. We start strong and could of been a few goals up if Matt H had brought his shooting boots, this was highlighted by Chappell in a Whats App message earlier that morning.  Chance came and went hitting the bar, posts and tall trees behind the goal, but not between.  Then it happened, they got us on the break and scored. Soon after the kick off, we got a free kick, Ty stepped up to knock one into the box, in it came and off the centre backs head and into the goal. Half time came; a quick team talk and we had belief that if we continued to play like we have, we could take the lead and points.

Again Matt had the chances but not the luck or clinical finishing skills.  Old Wilsons did cause a few problems, but the defence strayed strong and Swanny was picking out the loose balls.  Merton’s break and 2^nd goal came from Ty, who picked the ball up just outside the area and lobbed the keeper.  John was getting bruised and battered in the middle of the pitch, including his sore toe,will it ever heal? He was looking for sympathy, but not getting any from his team mates.  A Few subs made, Martin off, George on, Steve B off, Beans on. Then Beans off (had a heavy night), Steve B back on.  Dan on for Ty, whose legs could take no more. Skipper also felt the need to try changing from 442 to 433, which baffled some of the players as to why??  Time ticked on when Pete and Matt found themselves through on goal, from an assist from Dan, looking up Pete saw it was Matt thought of passing but knew another goal would seal it so went alone and made it 3 – 1.  The ref who had a good game blew for full time, 2 wins in a row and next fixture away to bottom of table Old Blues, the 6s need to continue to stay within a chance of promotion or even the title.

Starting eleven:

Swanny GK
Martin RB
Mo CB
Chappell CB
Smithy LB (Skipper)
Daddy Burchell LM
Baby Burchell RB
John ‘sore toe’ CM
Ty CM (1)
Pete S(1)
Matt S (where’s my boots?)

Subs: Dan George Beans

Match Report –07/11/2015 vs Bank of England HOME

A rare home game for the Mighty Merton Sixes on a soggy Hood outfield for a game against top of the league Bank of England.

The players arrived and got changed in the dark as the lights wasn’t working in the lovely Hood changing rooms, although electricity wasn’t issue in the first team dressing judging from the noise of the crap music being pumped out – although I think it was to rub it in!

Once the team was changed, it was down to the now infamous 5 minute quick stretch and warm up routine, this time led by Matty.

Starting line-up was as follows: Merton’s new number 1, Dazza in goal, centre half pairing of Kev (Gaffer) and Chappell, full backs of George and Quinlan. Holding midfielder was John and Ty with Matty at the top of the diamond.  Ram and Mario were on the wings with Pete up top.  Impact subs were Kyle, Dan and new boy Mo (no not Simon!).

Smithy gave the team talk and outlined the well thought out pre-match plans to the troops and off we went.

So now to the game, the first ten minutes was a cagey affair, with both teams trying to suss out the opposition (although to be fair, we were under the cosh!).  Merton defended well without causing too much attacking threat, although we looked dangerous for set pieces (more to come later!).

Unfortunately, John made a clumsy tackle on the edge of the area and the ref gave a penalty, it was tight but I think it was the right call. Up stepped Banks player to score and we were 1-0 down.

Merton struggled to get anything going, and Bank was causing problems with their midfield runners, although they were limited to half chances the Merton defence stood tall!

Eventually the pressure told and Bank scored a powerful 30 yard screamer through a crowd of players, which Darren let through his hands (sorry Darren), although no blame was attached to the stand in keeper Merton pulled there socks up and got on with it!

Then a small miracle occurred, as I said Merton looked dangerous from set pieces, a corner was floated in and John failed to connect to a header, the ball was powerfully poked home from Smithy from a yard out.  The ball just crept over the line and with goal line technology and a beep of the refs watch the goal was awarded.  It was a worldy of a goal and only left Smithy with another 9 to get to overturn a drunken bet made with Steve.

Half time came and went and the second half started, with a few changes. On came Mo and Kyle for Mario and Ram.

Merton started well with a few tough challenges being made and started to pass the ball well, we felt the tide was turning in the game.  Unfortunately with roughly 20 mins to go Bank scored again with another long range effort from the right back and we were staring defeat in the face.

With the minutes ticking by, however the new Merton sixes kept their heads up and kept on going, which is becoming a great regular occurrence!  With 10 mins left and after sustained pressure from great deliveries in the box, Chappell pocked home from a scramble and made it 3-2 – GAME ON!!

Merton looked the better team and kept pushing and every player giving 100%, which was great to see!  With a couple of minutes left Merton had another corner and a great delivery found the head/body of Quinlan at the near post and the ball crept in! 3-3 amazing scenes and Merton fans went wild!

With the opposition now shell shocked, Merton even had time to create another couple of chances which went so close from Kyle and could have won the game.

Full time blew and the final score was 3-3, a great come back! It was nice to see the heads not dropping and everyone put a shift in!

Special mention to the ref, Razor Ruddock who was very good, I thought.

MVP:

George had a great game and played his best game in a Merton shirt and grew in confidence.

The three defenders getting on the score sheet and showing the strikers how its done was pleasing!

This week, though I am going to give it to Mr Merton – Martin Quinlan.  He had a great game and was on the scoresheet for the equaliser and left everything on the pitch! Well played!

Next week, away to our bogey side Old Wilsonians 8 let’s hope we can keep the undefeated league run going!

Written by SMITHY