Year: 2014

Six goals and a convincing all round display on our return to the Hood ensured that top spot in division two was retained with all to play for in the promotion stakes with six games to play. With the pitch in fairly good condition after the recent and now cyclical monsoon season it was the men in yellow that settled quickest and once Matty Bosher had finally sprung the offside trap set by a consistently high and square EBOG back four he cooly rounded the keeper to put us one up after 20 minutes. Number two wasn’t far behind after a well delivered ball from captain Clappers again found Bosh in aches of space and again he made no mistake in converting. It was nothing less than we deserved although the game really should have been over as a contest before half time as Bosh squandered two more golden chances and wasteful final deliveries in to the box meant that we couldn’t add to the score line.

Fortunately we didn’t have to wait for long after the break as an Al G volley and Clappers bullet header from respective Whiteman and Van corners put us four to the good. Van then found Tills’s head with a pinpoint cross for the fifth and Woody danced past the keeper to roll home the sixth from the tightest of angles. It was a very encouraging performance with some excellent displays all over the pitch. Six more tough games to go with Broomfield up next.

MOM:

Team:Arthurs, Graves, Clappers (Manton 65), Brown, Al G, Tills, Woody, Snooks, Van, Whiteman, Bosher (Ackers 60)

Written by:James Tilley

This week saw us travel by tube to visit Old Lyonians in Harrow. The last thing we wanted was to return home with anything less than 3 points. Having defeated the opposition 6 – 2 at home a few weeks prior, we went into the game confident that we could increase our lead at the top of the table. With Josh unavailable we recalled Glen Field to cover between the stick. Aaron and Ben were also absent but Lee returned.

It was clear from the start that the hosts had strengthened their squad since the last meeting. This showed after 15 minutes when they took the lead, a smart finish into the bottom left hand corner put the host 1 – 0 up. We wasn’t behind for long however, Patrick turned up the heat and following an assist from Dan down the right, managed to evade two defenders and slot past the keeper with ease. It remained level going into the break.

We seemed to have taken our foot off the gas come the second half and the opposition were able to capitalise on this from a corner. Their tall centre back rose at the near post to send a looping header into the far top hand corner. Not l long after did they double their advantage, with me failing to catch up with a break down the right, a cross was delivered into the box and converted with ease.

With 20 minutes remaining we upped the ante and pilled pressure on the Old Lyonians defence but the last goal of the game ended up a consolation only. Dan Outred caught a corner with a delightful volley at the near post to mirror the opposition’s third, and send it into the far top hand corner, Prior to Dan’s goal Sevan hit the upright with a neat volley that had little reaction time. As well as having to travel back to Merton on the back of a loss, Glen suffered what seemed to be a broken arm, later to find out it was just tissue damage. We still remain 2 points clear at the top of the table but West Wickham has a chance to become level on points if they win their game in hand.

Next week we host EBOG in the 2nd Round of the SAL Cup. A decent cup run on top of our overall league performance can do nothing but boost our confidence of claiming silverware come the end of the season. Keep the good performances coming boys….

Team: Glen Field (GK) (Lawrence Bispham), Dan Outred, Chris Outred (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Lee Lenihan), Sevan Mutafyan, Chris Dodd, Arthur Lewis (Kieran Yansen), Patrick Mhondiwa, Dan Hall

MOM:Patrick Mhondiwa

Written by: Edward Plaistow

This week we travelled to Beckenham to entertain Lloyds at the Kent County Cricket Club. Having possibly our strongest squad to select from we were optimistic of going back to Joseph Hood still top of the table. Chris Outred stepped in to partner Darren at the back due to Lee’s absence and also skippered the side, a position he will retain going into next weekend’s game following this performance.

We started brightly and took advantage of the possession that was gifted to us by the hosts and it wasn’t long until we dished out the punishment that was on the cards. Chris Dodd unleashed a right footed half volley following a decent run of play down the left that seemed to change a number of directions before finding the back of the net. A rare goal from open play by our ex skipper but one that would be hard to match. Not long after the restart did we double our advantage, again from a corner. Dulanie connecting with Aaron’s corner on the volley, beating the keeper via a deflection. The only other highlight to mention from the first period was when Patrick hit the bar with a 30 yard shot. We ended the half with 10 men as Ben’s right boot needed assistance (taping up).

Going into the break there wasn’t much of a team talk, all we needed to do was continue to play the football we was and try to add toour tally. Being the highest scorers in our league, as well as in Merton, we were confident this could be done.

The second half was pretty much a carbon copy of the first. Lloyds never seemed to be able to get in the game and with Josh being our last line of defence and pulling off a couple of decent saves, a consolation never seemed on the cards. We did however manage to add another 2 goals to our tally. Tee came on for his first appearance in 4 weeks replacing Dan Hall. His appearance didn’t last longhowever due to a recurrence of the injury that side-lined him in the first place. He did manage a goal before leaving the field. A left footed half-volley from 25 yards that dipped over the substitute keeper. Patrick added prior. Those two goals combined with the two we managed in the first 45 minutes gave us a comfortable 4-0 win.

Next up we face a trip to Harrow to take on Old Lyonians. A team that will be looking for revenge following our 6-2 win in October. Let’s hope that the winning run continues……

Team: Josh Brown (GK), Dan Outred, Chris Outred (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Arthur Lewis), Ben Lawrence (Sevan Mutafyan), Chris Dodd, Aaron Ackerman, Dan Hall (Tee Nash Bizayi), Patrick Mhondiwa

MOM:Patrick Mhondiwa

Written by: Edward Plaistow

This week we hosted Old Meadonians in the first round of the AFA Cup. If honest, looking at their recent results, including a 8-0 loss the previous week, we assumed that the game would be a lot easier than it actually was.

We were classily outplayed by a team of a better standard and fully deserved the defeat they inflicted on us. 4 quality goals, 3 thatmaybe could have been prevented, resulted in us losing for only the second time this season. The only positive thing to mention was Chris Dodd’ free kick, which found the back of the net via the post, following the keeper spending too much time on the ball.

Next week we face Lloyds in the league hoping to bounce back from this disappointing display.

Team: Josh Browne (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards, Arthur Lewis (Chris Dodd), Ben Lawrence (Aaron Ackerman), Chris Outred, Patrick Mhondiwa (Stephen Creed), Dan Hall

MOM:Dan Outred

Written by: Edward Plaistow

Not much to report on this game apart from we managed to defeat Old Wilsonians 6s for a second time in the space of 4 weeks…maybe even less.

Goals from Ben Lawrence and Arthur Lewis took us joint top of the table alongside West Wickham, our nemesis a couple of weeks ago; however we sit at the peak on goal difference.

Next week we host Old Lyonians hoping for another win that will take us 3 points clear with West Wickham playing in the cup. Let’s hope our good run of form continues….

Team: Josh Browne (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Chris Outred, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards, Arthur Lewis, Ben Lawrence, Aaron Ackerman, Patrick Mhondiwa, Dean Porter

MOM:Ben Lawrence

Written by: Edward Plaistow

Looking at recent results, we knew that our opponents this week were going to be no walkover with them having defeated a team we lost so convincingly to last week in West Wickham 5 – 1 two weeks prior. We went into the game knowing that we had to play some of our best football in order to get a result we would be happy with.

Having arrived later than planned due to traffic, we were unable to warm up properly as the referee was eager to get the match underway on time. We lined up with our new first choice keeper in Josh Browne, who came in to replace Glen Field after some unconvincing displays of late. Our back four remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive week in the shape on Dan, Lee, Darren and myself. Our midfield consisted of Dulanie, Aaron, Chris Dodd, who came in to replace Ben, who chose to visit Newcastle to watch his uncle’s side spoil Spurs day with a late equaliser, and Chris Outred. We welcomed Patrick and Tee back into the starting line-up following their punishment of being benched last week.

The game was a lively one straight from the off and it took only 5 minutes before we found ourselves behind. A defence splitting pass from midfield found their striker who finished smartly off the inside of the near post. The lead however only lasted a couple of minutes as Dulanie equalised, his right footed effort beat the keeper at the bottom left. Chris Outred then put us 2 – 1 up 5 minutes before the break, converting a rebound after Tee’s effort had hit the post.

Unlike last week, the team talk at the break was a positive one. There was a few things that needed to be improved on and in order to assist in making those improvements we introduced CC7 into the fold. With his services not required by the 3s, we took advantage. Not long after the restart did we double our advantage, a mazy run by Patrick, with an equally impressive finish at the near post from a tight angle put us 3 – 1 up. HSBC were finding it hard to contain us and failed to get a rhythm going in regards to their passing game. They did however, half the deficit with 20 minutes to go, albeit with a strong appeal for offside turned down. Patrick took the weight off our shoulders shortly after the hosts’ second with a carbon copy of his first to regain the two goal advantage at 4 – 2. We were surprised at how easy he made it look considering the keeper should never be beaten at the near post, let alone twice! Not long after his second did Patrick grab his third to claim his hat-trick. A delightful ball from the right by CC7, found the sweet spot of Patrick’s head to end the game at 5 – 2.

A great game of football to be part of and to witness according to those that came to show their support. The only negative to take from the game was losing Tee for a minimum of 4 weeks due to a torn hamstring. Next week we host Old Wilsonians 6s, who will be looking for revenge following our narrow win at their place in September.

Team: Josh Browne (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Chris Callus), Aaron Ackerman, Chris Dodd (Sevan Mutafyan), Chris Outred, Patrick Mhondiwa (3), Tee Nash Bizayi

MOM:Patrick Mhondiwa

Written by: Edward Plaistow

Having made a great start to our 2011/12 campaign in both the League and SAL Cup, we welcomed West Wickham to our satellite ground of Wimbledon Common Extensions. Having arrived with only 2 minutes to kick off there was no option but to punish Tee and Patrick by naming on the bench. Yes it weakened the starting XI however they need to realise that they have to abide by the rules that everyone else does. Meeting times are set for a reason. This resulted in Chris Dodd starting having just returned from injury and Luke Freestone playing alongside Ben up top.

The first half was one that could be forgotten in a flash after going into the break 3-0 down. Sloppy defending on all 3 occasions was to blame, that and a combination of route one football by West Wickham. This may be a little harsh on the visitors for their third actually. A delightful ball from the right was guided in by a diving header which Darren just failed to connect with. Great goal, it was just disappointing to be part of the opposing side.

The team talk at half time was one of many words, it didn’t help that they were coming from all directions at the same time. We knew we were better then what we had shown in the first half and this was justified…..for the first 20 minutes of the second period anyway.

We re-started the second half and seemed to have West Wickham on the back foot. It was clear that they had opted not to come out and play the route one football that worked for them in the opening 45 minutes and this was something we were able to capitalise on. We reduced the deficit on the hour mark when a delivery from Aaron was toe-poked home by Ben. It wasn’t long until we reduced to deficit again when Lee converted Aaron’s corner into the bottom left. West Wickham looked shaky at this point and knew that they had to revert back to route one in order to keep hold of their lead or add to it. This is exactly what happened…..

With 15 minutes to go, a poor attempt to win possession by Lee allowed their number 12 to easily lob Glento make it 4-2. Not long after was it 5-2. A ball hit long by the West Wickham defence made its way into ourbox however with myself shielding the opposing player from getting to it, Glen stalled on coming to claim it. When he did he decided to attempt to kick it rather than go to ground and gather it. His kick came back off yours truly and into the back of the net.

It was a poor performance by all. Next week we visit HSBC where we hope to put Saturdays performance behind us and claim another 3 points to assist in guiding us up the table.

Team: Glen Field (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards, Chris Dodd (Patrick Mhondiwa), Aaron Ackerman , Chris Outred, Luke Freestone (Tee Nash Bizayi), Ben Lawrence (Laurence Bispham)

MOM:

Written by: Edward Plaistow

After a great start to the league last week at Old Wilsonians we were hoping for a decent cup run having faulted over the last couple of seasons. Old Owens were the visitors to Joseph Hood for this 1st round tie.

We were without our skipper Lee Lenihan, who decided it was an ideal time for a holiday for one to Falaraki, meaning Chris Outred deservedly wore the armband in his absence. Shaun McCullough replaced him at the back as the reserves did not have a game. The only other change from last week was Aaron coming in for Sevan in the middle of the park.

Like last week the visitors were on the back foot straight from the off. With the opposing full backs lacking any pace to deal with our wingers they were in for a troublesome afternoon. We took the lead after 10 minutes when a delivery from the left by Chris was handled by an outstretched arm resulting in a penalty. In the absence on Chris Dodd, it was left to Dan to convert at the second attempt after an infringement in the box. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves 2-0 up. Tee managing to find the back of the net with an overhead kick after Old Owens failed to clear the danger. Our third goal came after half hour after great work and commitment from Dulanie. His looping header over the outrushing keeper was seen over the line by Tee for his second. Harsh on Dulanie as the ball seemed to be heading in anyway. Tee completed his hat-trick and bagged Merton’s forth 5 minutes before the break with a neat header into the top left hand corner. It could have been 5 going into the break had Chris’s effort not been ruled out for offside.

In the second half a combination of the visitors picking up their game and us taking our foot off the gas resulted in the score remaining the same at the final whistle. One notable period of the second half was a penalty appeal from Old Owens that went against them due to the theatrical dive that followed the challenge by Shaun.

Another good performance by all that has earned us a home tie against East Barnet Old Grammarians in Round 2. Next up is Old Salesians in the league who visit Joseph Hood next weekend.

MOM: Tee Nash Bizayi

Report by: Edward Plaistow

Team: Glen Field (GK), Dan Outred (pen), Shaun McCullough, Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Adam Cairns), Aaron Ackerman, Ben Lawrence (Sevan Mutafyan), Chris Outred, Arthur Lewis (Patrick Mhondiwa), Tee Nash Bizayi (3)

After a disappointing pre-season in which we lost every game to opposition of a higher standard than us we went into the first game of the season with little confidence. We know more than anyone that teams changes personnel during the close season but with the hosts taking 4 points from our two meeting last season; this was going to be a difficult game.

The majority of the 5th team from last season remains but there were a couple of new players making their debuts in a Merton shirt, those being Arthur Lewis, who started just behind Tee up top and Adam Cairns who came on to replace Dulanie Richards on the right of midfield mid-way through the second half.

The game stated well with us playing the ball around well and using the minimal amount we learnt during pre-season to keep OW’s on the back foot. We found ourselves 1-0 up after 15 minutes after Dulanie slotted home following a mazy run down the right. The right back he was running at knew that he was in for a torrid afternoon! With a few chances for both sides which came to nothing we then managed to double our advantage when Arthur managed to turn in Tee’s scuffed corner to make it 2-0 going into the break. The closest that OW’s came to halving the deficit was a lobbed attempt at goals which was out by about 2 yards.

The team talk at the break was a positive one. Our aim in the second half was to go out and play exactly like we did in the first keeping up the good communication and constructive criticism when required. There was a limited amount of chances in the second period however the hosts did manage to find the back of the net but not without controversy, twice over! Tee seemed to take his time on the ball and lose it in what seemed that be an unfair challenge. The opposition played on an a looped ball over the top of the defensive line found there striker in an offside position who calmly slotted the ball over the outrushing Glen. 2-1. The only other incident worth noting is when OW’s should have been awarded a penalty when Lee clearly took their number 5 out. Maybe it wasn’t given as a result of the dodgy decision made previously, who knows?

A great performance by all with a Man of the Match performance from Chris Outred. That performance, along with his ones during pre-season and the back end of last season has earned him the captaincy in Lee’s absence for our next game at home to Old Owens 7s in the 1st Round of the SAL Intermediate Novets Cup next weekend.

MOM: Chris Outred

Report by: Edward Plaistow

Team: Glen Field (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Adam Cairns), Sevan Mutafyan, Ben Lawrence (Aaron Ackerman), Chris Outred, Arthur Lewis, Tee Nash Bizayi

Having been knocked out each of the cups in successive weeks, the 4s bounced back with an impressive win against a title rival. With a host of regular players unavailable or injured we picked up a number of players from the 5s and welcomed a new recruit in Carl Bartley.

We started brightly against a team with skill and pace up top, but very little to worry us in defence. Werode our luck at times as the first good chances went to. Aob but they couldn’t finish them. The. At the other end Giz took up the ball 35 yards out and fired an unstoppable shot beyond the desparing dive of their keeper – soon after we broke quickly with a glorious ball from Mickey found Giz – 4 defenders rushed to him and forgot all about Dan… Giz found him easily to tap into an empty net.

Alleyns on the ropes and close to collapse they got a lucky lifeline just before halftime. The ref missed a clear handball in the build up and the resulting shot clipped off Mickey and beyond my reach… 2-1 and gameon.

The second half was a very close affair, but our defence held firm – and Jess and Shaun were providing anexcellent shield in midfield. We had a close shave when the Aob attacker broke clear despite being clearly offsid and I just managed to get back to clear the ball off the line – we never managed to get the 3rd goal to kill them off, Denyz and Giz both going close, fortunately we didn’t need it and remain unbeaten in the league.

MOM:close between Giz and Mickey, but the latter gets it for so e quality last ditch tackles. Special mention to Daryl Flattery who played excellently at left back

Team:

Attendence:

Report by:Mark Chappell