Saturday’s News

Round Robin at the Hood was won by Diasporra (?) Irish lads on GD from OldSmiths. Our boys put up a good show and Thanks to Ryan Gresty and Steve who organised things so well in the absence of a lot of Merton Regulars who were at the other big match. A lot of the lads (see pic) were at Sherbs and Amanda’s wedding (pic).

Merton lads at wedding
Merton lads at wedding
Happy couple
Happy couple

Oldsmiths 3s vs. Merton Select XI Pre-Season Friendly Saturday 29th August 2015

The penultimate pre-season friendly was upon us with still no idea where players will likely be situated for the upcoming season. In all fairness, this performance didn’t change much.

To ensure that the new faces were kept interested, it was essential to ensure that they were given some game time, even if not best suited at this level. All bare one of the new quota arrived at the away ground on time and ready to go. Due to numbers all players were given 45 minutes, fitness and injury permitting.

We fielded our strongest XI to start with albeit with a few changes due to 3 of the original starting XI opting to witness a dull 0 – 0 draw between Spurs and Everton at White Hart Lane instead due to the numbers available for the game.

It was a sloppy start from Merton, gifting the ball to the host whenever we gain possession. They capitalised on this by firing and early goal following a mix up at the back. It wasn’t long before we starting playing the football that we knew we were capable of even if it did only last 5 minutes! A long ball from Chris Outred to Dulanie found the back of the net after the latter fired in off the post to equalise. That is as good as it got in the first half. It was easy to see that the opposition had been playing together for a well and given the time to gel by going into the break 4 – 1.

The second half was a little more positive. 5 minutes in we managed to pull a goal back from an audacious attempt from Josh Bennett from inside his own half. 4 – 2. We played some better football with the communication improving however the quality Oldsmiths was visible. They managed to add a further 2 goals to their tally to finish on top as 6 – 2 winners.

Next week we should have a better understanding of who is likely to play where considering all Merton teams have a fixture, either league or friendly. Hopefully better results are on the horizon to give a little confidence going into the season.

FINAL SCORE: 6 – 2 MOTM: N/A

SQUAD: Kieran Lee, Ryan Burchell, John Gridley, Steve Burchell, Edward Plaistow, Aaron Ackerman, Chris Dodd, Glen Porter, Josh Bennett, Chris Outred, Dulanie Richards, George Hall, Mario Tossio, Malcolm Kandulu, Jack Hamill, Darren Avey.

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The Youth Season starts with a bang with two big Sundays.
Just a reminder that there is a big YOUTH DAY down at them Hood Sunday Sept 6th 2015 As part of our Charter Standard Compliance we have to arrange a meeting with the Parents and players to tell them about the RESPECT programme andwhat is expected of them as players and members of Merton F C We use this as a day to introduce them all to Merton F C
It is a big day and Surrey County F A are bringing their Respect Roadshow and team down to present.
We also give out the kit to each player and there will be a BBQ
Steve believes that there will be 60 to 100 people there and we have hired the hall for the key hours 11am to 2pm for the Respect presentation and kit distribution.
If you get a chance please come along and support the event
I am unfortunately away suffering from Post traumatic wedding stress disorder and will be in Italy.
Steve is arranging for parents to do the BBQ and Dave Laughton will be in charge of the bar but any help we can muster would be much appreciated.
The League programme gets underway just one week later on Sunday 13th September when all our FIVE
teams are at home which makes it a very special day for the club and a great start for the season.

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We were blessed with really good weather for the planned BBQ event but probably a touch hot for football.
And although the weather has not been too kind for the Hood, it’s been a touch dry, The Hood looked pretty
good with our new black and yellow nets setting the pitch off nicely.
It was an early start with Alleyns old Boys kicking the day off against a 3s/4s side at 12.30. It was a good
game but two or three early goals settled the issue. We rallied a bit in the second half but lost 5-0. It was
encouraging to see a good number of new faces in the Merton line up together with some old faithfulls, Pete
Jennings, Lofty and Neil Davidson to name three.
The next two games that were scheduled were down as 1s v Old Ruts 1s and 2s playing their 2s.
Unfortunately we were very light on numbers and we could only muster one squad of 15 or so for both games.
We lost the first game 1-0 to a slightly flukey goal but despite a few reinforcements arriving a very tired
Merton team lost the second game 3-0 to Old Ruts 2s. The scoreline flattered them a little but their three
goals were incredibly good strikes and unstoppable.
Pete and Jasper had the bar well stocked and Sherbs put on a great BBQ but Old Ruts disappeared on us
again. Still there were a few Merton lads that drank in the bar and Steve and Kevin brought some of the 5s/6s
back for a quick beer.
It was a good day with a lot of footy but not too many Memberships paid on the day. So we need to get
these paid by the end of August.
The 5/6 squad of hardy souls lost 6-4 in a great game away to West Wickham on the 3G.

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AFA Cup Draws

Reserves

AFA Inter Surrey/Kent – 16th January 2016
Merton vs Old Strand Academicals (Home)


 

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BBQ and Membership Day

Saturday 22nd August

1pm – 7.30pm

Join us down at Merton FC on Saturday 22nd August for our first BBQ of the season and annual Membership Day!

There will be a BBQ all afternoon from 3pm and the bar will be open from 2pm….

There will also be 2 x games against Old Rutlishians and we aim to screen some live Ashes cricket on TV in the BAR!

Great way to meet new members, bring your membership signing on fee and have a drink with teammates and get ready for the start of the new season ahead!

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