The ones played Old Garchonians away, losing 3 – 0.  The 2s played Bank of England at home drawing 2 – 2.  The 3s had a North London double header away at Old Parkonians, losing both game 1 – 4 and 0 – 3.  The 4s lost 0 – 2 at home to Polytechnic.  The 5s didn’t have a fixture. The 6s played HSBC at home, beating them 4 – 2.

Posted in Uncategorized

This was an important league game and so this was a very bad result. It started badly. Ackers had a nasty calf injury in his warm up and could take no part in the game and is probably out for the rest of the season. We went 1 nil down within 20 secs of the kick off with a bad blunder at the back. I have heard it said that if you are going to concede a goal do it early but I am not sure I saw the merit in that point on Saturday. Shortly after that it got worse as Will Low had to come off with a foot injury. Luckily though Al Gladkow just back from hols and was on the bench, he came on but that only left Sherbs on the bench. We rallied well and held Civil Service at bay for the rest of the half. Whilst we did not produce too much threat ourselves, even with the strong wind in their favour Civil Service did not cause that much trouble and Angus only had to make one good save, saving well at his near post. With only a one goal deficit and a strong wind to help us I was very optimistic about the outcome of the game. We pressed for the first 20 mins but our pressure did not lead to a goal but Civil Service were starting to creek under severe pressure. Sadly after a scre when they did break out they scored a very good second goal on the break. They added a third when we were very untidy and if Angus had not made another good double save it could have been 0-4. But 0-3 is bad enough. We have 5 games left and we are perilously close to relegation and we need some points sooner rather than later. We have some tough games but also play our relegation rivals which may well decide our fate. It is still in our own hands.
TEAM: Angus (GK), Jonesy, Clappers (capt), Browner, Will Low (Al G), Tills, Woody, Snooks, Vanny, Wilgo, Dan W. Sub not used: Sherbs

01 02 03 04

Posted in Match Reports 1s

The penultimate game of the season, away at Esher Wizards, turned out to be the most challenging, so far. A very good side, Esher went close to taking the lead 3 times but the cross bar helped our ever fighting boys to remain in the game.
Under great pressure the boys picked themselves up and took the lead with a great team effort. Esher brought the score to one all with good passing football. Our boys went back in front with a great individual goal in the second quarter. In the last two quarters the game was very balanced and both teams had their chances to score. However, it was in the dying minutes of the game that a penalty was awarded to the home team, who, despite the great effort of Merton FC Goalie, equalised to bring the score to a final 2 all.

Posted in Under 8s Reports

FACT FILE

Nickname: Al
TEAM: U11s
POSITION: Defender/Winger
CLUBS: Wimbledon Little League


RAPID FIRE

Player of the Season: Marouane Chamakh
Childhood Team: Crystal Palace
Favourite team outside the UK: Real Madrid
Favourite Food: Spaghetti Carbonara
Favourite Drink: Super Malt
Favourite Musician: Michael Jackson


INTERVIEW WITH ALEXIS BARRIOS CRUZ

1. How did you end up at Merton FC?
I was scouted last year and asked to come along.

2. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
When I did an amazing shot from well outside the box. I thought it wasn’t going to go in, especially as I did it with my left foot. It just seemed to take ages going through the air, and landed nicely in the back of the net. Everybody was amazed!

3. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it?
Crystal Palace. They are a great team, not money orientated. They play in an exciting style.

4. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I do the sign of the cross and kiss the ground.

 

Posted in Player Profile Under 11s

FACT FILE

TEAM: U12s
POSITION: Goalkeeper
CLUBS: Wimbledon Little League


RAPID FIRE

Player of the season (so far): David de Gea
Childhood Team: Manchester United
Favourite team outside the UK: Real Madrid
Favourite Food: Curry (takeaway, not homemade)
Favourite Drink: Coca Cola
Favourite Musician: Eminem


INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE BERRY – AKA KEEPZ
1. How did you end up at Merton FC?
Scouted by the manager.

2. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Winning the Invitation Cup Semi-Final last season to a team 3 divisions higher than us. We were 1-0 down with about 10mins to go and we scored 2 goals to win 2-1. Unfortunately we lost 2-0 in the final.

4. If you could play for a professional team,  which would be it?
AFC Wimbledon

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I always get my manager to tie my boot laces, but he thinks I’m just being lazy rather than superstitious.

Posted in Player Profile Under 12s

FACT FILE

TEAM: U8s
POSITION: Right Wing
CLUBS: Morden Little League


RAPID FIRE

Childhood Team: Liverpool
Favourite team outside the UK: Paris St Germain
Favourite Food: Fish
Favourite Drink: Lemonade
Favourite Musician: Maroon 5


INTERVIEW WITH OSCAR TEDDY NEWNHAM
AKA OSC
1. How did you end up at Merton FC?
Because Marcello was my manager at Morden Little League and he invited me for trials.

2. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Playing against Orange Dracular’s, we were losing 4-3 with mins to go. We scored to make it 4-4 and then with seconds to go I crossed the ball to Joseph and it went in so we won 5-4.

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it?
Liverpool FC because they are my favourite team.

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I always get ready super early for games. One night I even secretly put on my Merton kit before bed and slept in it… even my shin pads.

Posted in Player Profile Under 8s

Todays Results.

Not so good today. 1s lost 3-0 at home to Civil Service 3-0 in a disappointing performance. 4s draw 2-2 away at Alleyns for the best result of the day. 5s lost 3-1 to South Bank. 6s put in a good performance but lost 2-1 to table topping Old Wilsonians. But we did better in the bar with 5s and 6s showing well.

6s in the bar
6s in the bar

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Merton 5s vs. South Bank 5s

SAL Minor Division 2 South

Saturday 21st March 2015

South Bank 5s were the visitors to Joseph Hood this time around. With the opposition having lost all ten of their league outings, this was one match we felt we could capture three points and give everybody that much needed confidence boost having only won one in fourteen.

One of our main problems throughout the season has been finding a goalkeeper. We didn’t have that problem this week as we were helped out by Ryan Tomlin who is a regular in the youth set up. Big thanks to him for the effort.

We started brightly, passing the ball around well with everyone working to get onto the ball. This was expected as the starting XI, with the exemption of a couple of positions, was the strongest we have had all season. Unfortunately we fell behind ten minutes for the break. Miscommunication between Glen and Ryan following a through ball resulted in gifted goal meaning we went into half time on the back foot.

We were playing some good football so the team talk was one of a few words, carry on with what we were doing and the chance will come. Two changes were made at the break, Aaron came on in place of Sevan and Dulanie, who started but had to be replaced early on in the game by Rob, took the place of Chris Dodd. We reverted to a more common 4-4-2 formation to tighten things up and it seemed to pay off. Dan Plaistow delivered a ball into the box after receiving the ball from a throw in and Rob stepped in to claim it before the keeper could claim it to draw us level.

We were not playing as well as we did in the first half but felt we were doing enough to push on and grab another goal. Another goal came shortly after our equaliser but it was the visitor that claimed it. Their number eleven received the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal. Unfortunately he was given too much space to turn and fire a shot into the top left hand corner. 2 – 1.

We then found ourselves 3 – 1 down. Glen, under no pressure what so ever, got his ankle stuck and miss-controlled a ball on the half way line. With Glen being the last man back, this allowed their number eleven to easily slot past Ryan on a one-on-one situation. We felt hard done by at this time as we felt we should have been playing against ten men. Dan Plaistow won a fair challenge in our half however the player on the receiving end seemed to differ by running to the ref shouting “Ref! That’s a red card offence, that’s a red card offence!” As expected the ref confirmed that the challenge was fair and waved play on. Not two minutes had passed when Dan Plaistow had the ball on the touchline when the player that was on the receiving end of his challenge thought it was a good time to get his revenge with lunging with fists and feet at Dan. It took the ref some time to decide what a fair punishment would be and we were all shocked, including some of his own players, when it was only a yellow card that was shown. We found out after that the yellow was given for dissent and not the challenge!!!!!

I want to thank those players that are consistent in making themselves available week in week out.

It was frustrating to be on the back on another defeat but we need to put this season behind us and plan for next season.

FINAL SCORE: 1 – 3 MOTM: Ryan Tomlin

TEAM: Ryan Tomlin (GK), Clive Corrigon, Glen Porter, John Gridley, Edward Plaistow (Capt.), Chris Dodd, Sevan Mutafyan, Danny Gridley, Chris Outred,  Dulanie Richards, Dan Plaistow. Subs. Rob Greenway, Aaron Ackerman, Martin Quinlen

5s in action
5s in action
5th Team supporting bar revenue.
5th Team supporting bar revenue.
Posted in Match Reports 5s

Match Report

21st March 2015

Merton 6s 1 – 2 Old Wilsonians 8s

The 6s were up against top of the table leaders Old Wilsonians 8s. They knew this was not going to be an easy match having lost to them at their ground earlier in the season, but felt they could be the ones to end their undefeated run. Due to 4 home games at the hood, it was a 1pm kick off, everyone on the What’s App 6s group were told to turn up nice and early, get changed and have a good warm up prior to the game.  A certain person obviously didn’t read the meet time turning up half an hour late.  There was also a no show, which to Steve’s Friday night miscalculation meant he could put on a strip.  With the team out on the pitch having a good warm up, it came to naming the team.  With Alex a regular keeper in goal, confidence was high.  Starting line after deliberation from Rob and Steve was: Alex (GK), Harry (RB), Baz (LB), Spanner and Darren (CB), Ram and Rob (CM), Ryan (RM), Jay (LM), Matt (number 10 roll!!), Nuno (CF).  Frazer, Steve and Simon (Subs).

We started reasonably well for a change, but Old W’s caught us a few times on the break and their first goal came from a corner, which was poorly defended and fell to their midfielder who, just inside the box, curled the ball into the top right top, there was nothing Alex could do to stop it.  We picked ourselves up from the kick off and tried to get the score level.  20 minutes gone and a couple of changes, Frazer for Ram and Baz for Steve.  Then came their next goal, a hesitated pass by Steve saw their midfielder get the ball and from right side of the pitch crossed the ball which caught Alex out and looped over him into the net, 2 – 0 .

We could have brought a goal back when the ref awarded us a penalty after Frazer was pushed by their defender.  Matt Haswell picked the ball up and felt he had the confidence to put it in the back of the net.  How wrong he was, dragging the shot just wide of the post, keeper also diving the right way.  It wasn’t till later in the bar that Rob mentioned he has never missed a penalty, bet Matt wished he had snatched the ball off him and taken it.

Half time came and we knew we needed to play a bit better 2nd half, especially as we had the wind against us.

Second half began and we upped our game and played some better football.  Darren came off for Ram and Rob dropped back into defence.  We continued to attack and wear out the 11 men of Old Wilsonians when we eventually got one back with Nuno putting the ball across the box, pass the keeper and Frazer putting the ball into the net.  Simon came on for Harry, and then came off for Harry after picking up yet another injury.  Not sure if he was on longer than Gerrard and it’s a good job there are no Football Injury Lawyers For You out there as Simon would be a rich man by now!!! As the time wound down we couldn’t get the equaliser, the game ended 2 – 1.  4 more games left, HSBC next week at home, Alexandra Park away on 11th, and Bank of England and Old Blues, both at home, dates TBC, let see if we can end the season with some wins and move a bit further up the table out of the bottom two.

Well done to those who stayed behind after the game for a beer (Coke for the Burchell’s) in the bar.

Pictures of the game below.

Posted in Match Reports 6s, Uncategorized

“We were back at the Hood after a long spell away from home soil!

In a freezing cold morning the U8 displayed brilliant football in the first two quarters but could not capitalise their many chances; still the result was in their favour, as they went 2 nil up.  Esher Colts Yellows fought back with courage and scored a deserved goal.

However, our boys extended the lead with an outstanding team performance and closed the match with an 8 – 1 win.

As always, great support from all parents, was the extra player on the pitch.

MOM Aarya”

Posted in Under 8s Reports