26.3.2017 NPL 3 Merton FC 4, on a beautiful sunny Mother’s Day away in Teddington Merton took on under 9’s NPL youth, with 7 player’s Merton played a great game but it was a challenging match, NPL had some great pass techniques but Merton didn’t let that phase them, they kept up the pressure. Great team work all round, Presley and Tommy winning joint man of the match, both scoring 2 goals each with Presley playing on field second half after being in goal for the first half, Jack took the second half in goal making some brilliant saves and powerful long goal kicks.
Great defence work and some brilliant corner’s crossed in giving some goal scoring opportunities.
On a much milder Sunday away in Worcester Park, Merton took on the under 9s from Wandgas, who were known to be a strong side having recently played in the division above.
This week Merton showed some excellent defensive work with Joshua winning man-of-the-match award for his fantastic tackling in defense. Doo Ho also provided another master class in goal repelling multiple shots on target. In attack, Presley scored another wonder goal and we had 2 more fabulous goals disallowed by the referee which was the game changer. Notwithstanding this, Merton are now finding their level, playing against some strong and decent opposition, which in the long run should be positive for the team as they develop.
In the end, it was probably fair to say that the ultimate scoreline did not adequately represent the period of play, with Merton coming back and attacking particularly well in the second half.
Best wishes to the team going forward, and a big thank you to all the parents who came along to support.
In muddy conditions at the end of January, Merton Under 9s took on Mayford in a well-balanced and tense match at the Joseph Hood. A first goal by Mayford in the first half led to a spirited equaliser by Tom, who showed some strong attacking play up front. Callum again proved his strength and power in midfield with some excellent tackles, whilst Jack and Harry played well on the wings.
Another goal in the second half by Tom, and Merton were in the ascendancy. Sam, who had recently taken up the mantle of goal-keeper, did not disappoint and provided a worthy man-of the-match display with his calm and solid game in goal, with some far-reaching goal kicks. Kalyan was as always a reassuring presence in defence, whilst Tommie’s speed and agility put pressure on Mayford in their own half. Presley also made some fantastic runs and showed a lot of composure with time on the ball.
Another excellent and mature game by the young Merton Under 9s that showed that they have the ability to go from strength to strength. Well done!
On a cold and wet Sunday morning, Merton battled not just with the elements but also with a strong Claygate side. Merton showed great determination, as all that hard work in training paid off. Claygate had a good passing game, but our defence remained strong through out, particularly with some excellent goal keeping by Doo Ho.
Merton worked particularly well as a team, with strength and spirit shown by Callum in midfield, skilful footwork by Harry, darting runs by Jack, all round commitment by Danielus and speed by Tom upfront. It was clear that the players were continuing to develop in the right direction, showing maturity both in attack and defence, and some intelligent throw-ins from the touchline.
Man of the Match went to Tommie, who showed excellent attacking play in the second half which rattled Claygate and led to some good opportunities to score.
A well deserved performance all round in challenging conditions. Great start to the New Year. Keep it up Merton!
Another lovely morning at the hood saw the under 9s take on Motspur park in a very exciting match.
Motspur park took the lead with the last kick of the first quarter, 2nd quarter we took control played some great football and came out 3-1 up into halftime and looked to be cruising.
However the squad was promised equal playtime and the wholesale changes undoubtedly assisted in us losing a grip on the game.
4-2 going into the last quarter, Pinned in our own half, shot after shot hitting our make shift goalkeeper josh, they score 1 more and it’s please blow the whistle time ref!!!!
The fight, spirit and determination never to give in from our boys was admirable and the whistle goes with Merton 4-3 winners.
Man of the match this week was tricky, everyone played an important role non less then josh who made saves im not sure he knew much about, fantastic!, but it was given to Danielus who played with great passion and determination.
Under 9s in our first season have now played 10 winning 8 with 2 losses.
Happy Christmas
Gary
Manager u9s
Peteborough Striker Lee Angol supports the Under 9s
A warm welcome awaited us in our first league game in our newly promoted division setting the tone for what was a fantastic match played with great competitive spirit with a tremendous sense of fair play from all involved with lots of strong committed tackles yet not a foul in the entire match. My favourite game of the season so far.
As the match got under way the teams looked even with threats on goal coming at either end with both keepers making important stops. We broke the deadlock with a well worked goal and then started to apply more and more pressure leaving spelthorne unable to get out of there own half for large periods with an inevitable 2nd Merton goal flying in. Against the run of play we conceded a goal from a very well worked corner which we did not react to until the ball was in the back of the net. 2-1. We quickly got back into our stride and looked reasonably dominant enjoying the greater possession. The game ended 4-2 with a Merton penalty from a handball saved along the way. We look forward to the return match at the hood.
Man of match awarded by kalyan’s dad was given to doo Ho in goal.
Most memorable moment this week is renamed managers humbling moment. One of our boys took a knock during a challenge and was subbed off in pain. As the game continued, the spelthorne player involved came off the pitch to comfort our lad with concern and apologise.
Our final festival group match on yet another sunny Sunday morning at the hood. Merton fc v Epsom and Ewell, both unbeaten with the victor taking the honours of winning our group.
Epsom kicked off and started like a rocket scoring the opener within a couple of minutes, we kept our heads and with some great pressure soon equalised. The match turned into a great battle and as the 3rd quarter ended the teams came off 2-2 and a draw at that point looked the likely and fair result. Fantastic game.
However the match was taking its toll on our boys, a number of crunching tackles, a couple of minor injuries and general tiredness forced us to make a number of changes going into the final 12 minutes which proved to big an ask on the day against such a good team.
We have played and beaten some very good teams this season, Epsom and Ewell are amongst the best we have played and in our weakened state they took there chances and smashed 5 goals past us in that last quarter to beat us 7-2.
A tough end to an otherwise fantastic match but plenty of positives to come out of the game including our new signing Tommie in his first start for us scoring both goals with a really determined display and Kalyan once again winning man of the match for a cracking performance in defence.
Next week we are away to spelthorne in the new league we have been placed in, another new experience for us (have to get the map book out!) Onwards and upwards U9s.
A sunday afternoon league match away to esher colts saw the under 9s scrap to an off par 3-1 win.
The match started bright enough with a lightning fast attack straight from the whistle. The first goal came soon enough 1-0 Merton and we looked likely to run away with a big win. But Esher dug in and found an equaliser and this gave them confidence. credit to our boys who saw through the sticky patch and midway through the second half started to dominate the game as we should of done throughout. As we got back into our stride 2 quick goals settled the game. A 4th goal from a throw down the line, the cross came over, bit of a goal mouth scamble and goallll!!!!!! the crowd went crazy and the ref said…..”ermmmm no goal i wasnt ready”. final score 3-1 Merton
Thats 6 wins out of 6 league games.
Table topping match this sunday at the hood, we play Esher and Ewell a very good team who beat us in pre season friendly. The winner wins our mini festival league.
On another lovely sunny morning at the hood the under 9s arrived eager and ready for action after the half term break to face a very good and established Woking cougar colts in our first festival league match.
Woking kicked off, we gave them no time on the ball, gained possession and had the first shot on goal within a minute. The game settled and the teams proved evenly matched. First time for ages we had a full squad of 10 and rotated players regularly keeping up the tempo and pressure until we finally broke the deadlock with a goal from Sam 1-0 merton. Woking pulled back an equaliser with a very well worked goal with virtually the last kick of the half. 1-1 at the break.
2nd half we came out with 3 positional changes and started to control the game, a goal from Darius put us 2-1 up and then the final switch of the game Presley in as centre forward who put away 2 more. Final score 4-1 Merton. A fantastic team performance with every single player shining bright, a really good entertaining match.
Sams dad awarded man of the match to Presley, but again anyone of them deserved it, and his most memorable moment was the whole game.
Mention to Woking who had a 40 minute drive to play us, great team, fantastic coaches, very pleasurable day, look forward to playing them again.
At home on a lovely sunny autumn morning we continued our winning streak with a conclusive 15-0 victory over Corinthian casuals. Full of confidence we started the game like a hurricane which just did not blow out.
This was not a total walkover as the scoreline suggests, Credit to the Corinthians who had some good strong players, fought hard and fair all the way to the final whistle and won individual battles across the pitch In a game played in great spirit and atmosphere with very good parental support from both teams. However as a team our performance was just too strong for the Corinthians to handle.
We shuffled positions during the match using 3 different keepers 5 different strikers, and many other changes and had 7 boys on the scoresheet.
Man of the match was a tough one for kalyan’s dad, in truth we had 10 men of the match but the award went to Tom for a good solid performance in only his 4th ever game and 1st start.
Special mention and thanks to our referee today James Laughton, by far the best referee I have seen in the surrey youth league, cool and calm, spot on with everything, handled the game with ease. 100% rating.
After the match Corinthians coach called the Merton team superstars and said they gave a polished, inspirational performance and are a credit to our club.
