Month: September 2016

On a beautiful Sunday morning u11s with a full squad including 4 subs for 2nd week in a row….. were ready to take on Claygate.

We started a little slow and went 1 goal down…. boys were reminded of training ….pass and move…..set and take.

We bounced back with a great team goal and Cormac scoring a goal with his left foot curling like a boomerang into goal.

Passing then just continued and it looked like a field of buttercups as we swarmed all over Claygate goal.

Steve smashed in a goal….like a torpedo from a sub… locked onto target and Boom.

Zion got 3rd goal and was on fire throughout the whole game… showed trickery and zap…. smash grab ball flew into net of his finesse finish on his left foot.

We March on and once again great team bond and parents…. we love you guys.

Next week we travel Hampton Rangers.

David Laughton

Merton Res 4 Oldsmiths Res 2

Scorers Willgoss (2) Cibwabwa (2)

Lofty demanded Team Handsome 2.0 make Joseph Hood a fortress. The 2s delivered. But it wasn’t that simple.

It looked like it might be for a while. A cross-field ball bounced up for Wilgo on the edge of the area, 12 yards from the touchline. His half-volley arced from right to left over the goalkeeper and into the side netting. 1-0. Wilgo bagged his second when the Oldsmiths keeper found him in space outside the area minutes later. Merton’s skipper advanced, sat the keeper down and knocked it into an empty net. 2-0. Half-time.

It was more of the same to start the second half, with Merton’s back four an outstanding unit and Sherbs an assured presence in goal. With the tireless, selfless running of Tom Benham up front and James Laughton and Elz menacing on either wing, the 2s looked dangerous every time they broke forward. Tom’s hustle in particular was vital to his team’s superiority. And so it proved, with the best team goal of the day.

Wilgo won the ball from an Oldsmiths break and set James away down the right. His cross made its way via Tom to Elz, who cut in to beat two defenders before firing home with confidence. 3-0.

Then came the nerves: Oldsmiths who had already won their first league game were not going to give up easily and battled all the way. Their determination paid off and at 3-1the away side were back in it. Sherbs made his outstanding save of the day at his near post to counter an Oldsmiths break down the left; he and his defence threw themselves in front of plenty more as the game ticked into the final half hour, but could do little about a powerful header from a corner with 15 minutes to go. 3-2.

More chances came Merton’s way as the game became stretched. Tom was unlucky not to score at least one. Then, with 10 left, the Laughton-Elz combo – who lit up the match whenever they were on the ball – combined again for Merton’s fourth, with Alberto playing the telling ball in for Elz’s second. 4-2. A result all worked hard for. Particularly the manager.

“I ached from about 30 minutes in, but the smile is big now,” said Lofty afterwards. “Great to bounce back from last week.”

Lofty had an outstanding game in midfield and organising and managing the team. Wilgo deserved his ‘Man Most Handsome’ award for his on field leadership alone, never mind the two goals.

First game of the season and it was one of our three trips up north.

Alexandra Palace is a long way from Morden but it isn’t the hardest to get to by public transport. That is until, there’s a passenger on the line at Warren Street, and the Victoria Line is part suspended. If whoever it was, thinks they’ve got problems, they want to try and herd 14 blokes around London every Saturday!

We built in plenty of slack in the meet time, the 3s take note, so even with our detour, arrived at the ground 50 minutes before kick off. The youthful enthusiasm of the team, yes you read correctly, youthful, meant we were changed and warming up in plenty of time to kick start our season at full throttle. And full throttle we did.

With four debutants in the starting XI and two more on the bench the squad had a fresh look. As all six are under 26, two even still in their teens, it also drastically lowered the average age. Despite the new line up we started well, with the old hands organising well and leading by example, and it wasn’t long before we were putting the AP defence under pressure. It was this pressure that meant AP surrendered possession to Tom Rowe out near the right wing. Tom beat his man, ran into the box, and calmly curled the ball round the oncoming keeper. Midway through the half, no real pressure on our goal, and one nil up. This was already much more enjoyable than last season.

It wasn’t long before we were two up. Milo played a good ball into the left channel and Tom was again one on one with an AP defender. This time his strength and power saw off his challenger and after steadying himself he finished well at the near post. Turns out a quiet Friday night in pays off, doesn’t it Tom! We dominated the rest of the half without creating many other opportunities but equally not allowing AP any clear sight of our goal. Woody and Tilley dominated midfield whilst Tom and Milo kept us on the front foot.

AP started the second half better and we were soon on the back foot. We hadn’t really got going and then Rat suffered a bad ankle injury and had to be substituted. We reshuffled and AP threw more men forward but our defence stood strong with Clowesy and Ben in particular making key clearances. Special mention goes to Siri in goal who made some good saves whilst generally being a commanding presence. The half didn’t go past without us creating more chances and on another day Vanny could’ve come away with his own brace. However, there were no more goals and we saw out the half to record our first victory of the season.

Well done to the debutants; Siri, Ben, Nick, Milo, Sam and Jonny, who all played an important part. Also a well done to our ref on the day, who’s game management and communication was very good. He was particularly good at seeing when a foul wasn’t simply a bad challenge but that the ball was there to be kicked!

MOTM = Tom Rowe

Line up: Siri, Ben, Rat (Sam 59), Clappers, Clowesy, Nick, Woody, Tilley, Vanny (Milo 85), Tom, Milo (Jonny 68)

Merton FC vs Hook Youth Reds 4-1,
The first cup game of the season! Merton FC at home vs Hook. We all met at Joseph Hood at 9:15, everyone got there nice and early, we all were ready for action! We warmed up for 45 minutes before we kicked off.

So at 10:30 the thriller started. We got off to a good start within a couple of minutes we were dominating.  At about 15 minutes in McKenzie scored a wonder goal, top bins! Roughly 2 minutes later the opponent scored with a header from a corner, very unfortunate. After Hook scored they started to apply pressure along our back 4, however they were no match for us. Later on the half time whistle was blown 1-1 at half time.

The next half kicked off, Hook started this half but straight away we were on to them. We gave them no time on the ball, as a result we scored, Keiron was the goal scorer, making it 2-1 to Merton! The ball rolled off the centre spot yet again, straight away we were applying pressure to them. We kept on attacking until we put a ball into the box where their defender got the touch and scored a own goal, unluckily for Marcus our striker as he could’ve slotted it away. The ball was kicked and the game started again. The game died down for a couple of minutes however after a few substitutes we were back into it. The ball was moving around hooks box, we took a couple of shots that were deflected but Evan slotted it home making it 4-1. After the goal Hook started to attack towards the end. About 5 minutes were left as Hook got a couple of corners, we cleared them well, except one that trickled away from our keepers hand and was cleared off the goal line from Freddy, our centre back.

That was it the full time whistle was blown a heroic victory for Merton! What a spectacular performance from our squad.

Great game
Report by Freddy Camilleri (Centre Half)

Merton 4-4 Doverhouse
(Merton win 4-3 on penalties)

After what can only be described as a great game of football, that Merton eventually and deservedly won on penalties.

After the most shocking of starts ( 3-0 down in the first 9 minutes) – changes were made to attempt to rectify the situation. Our team must have made such an impact, the usual start strong; don’t concede quite obviously worked!

9 minutes in, our goalkeeper comes to collect a cross and gets challenged. Caught with the elbow of the striker – and ball ended up in the net.
First change and unfortunately Louis didn’t take any further part in the game.

Changes made 15 minutes in to try and fix the mess we found ourselves in, and boy did the players put a shift in!
We finally pulled one back, with Jake firing in from a well delivered Bradley cross.

After creating a lot of chances it was 3-1 at half time. A slight rollicking at half time to get them going for the second half. Carried on where we ended, lots of the ball and creating chances.

We got a deserved second goal from Jaime Esteban, who done a fine job in goal for the first half. Replaced by Tommy.
3rd goal – penalty by Marcin. Good work in midfield and coolly finished spot kick.

After our hard work we gift them a goal out of nothing, their only attack of the 2nd half. And it was 4-3 to doverhouse.

We kept battling and creating the chances we did in the first half.
Creating an equaliser from another Esteban goal.  It stayed at 4-4 for the remainder of the normal time. We created enough chances to win the game but couldn’t take them.

Penalties – nerve rangling penalties that determined the result. Merton scoring all 3 with – Esteban saving 2 giving us the edge. Unfortunately we missed our 4th but cooly dispatched to win the penalty shoot out.

A deserved result from the game – but a tough test from doverhouse.  Into three bridges in the next round!

Well done to all the boys – great courage.

Thanks to Marcus for running the line and Pippa for taking the photos. Claire for happily taking over pitch Marshall role – which is working well.

Carry on the hard work boys!

Great set of results from the Youth Section today. U9s beat Mitcham Park 9-1, U11s beat Claygate Royals 4-1, U13s beat Hook Youth 4-1.(Cup) U14s drew 3-3 with Croygas Town But Our U15s staged acracking fightback from 3-1 down to get to 4-4 and Beat avery strong Doverhouse 4-3 on Pens in the Cup. Well done to all It was a great sight at the Hood. (Pics of U15s and U13s and U15s GK flying) Merton has had a pretty good weekend on and off the pitch!

Great start to the season with 1s 2s and 3s all winning. 1s won away at Ally Pally 2-0 with Tom Rowe scoring both goals in the first half. 2s beat a determined Oldsmiths 4-2. 3-0 up became 3-2 and it was definitely in the balance. Good game. (Wilgo and Elz with a brace each – Wilgo Man Most Handsome) 3s won 7-1 with a great performance. 4s played Civil Service 6s away losing 4 – 1 and 5s started their league campaign with a win beating Ibis 2 – 1. 6s lost 4-1 in the cup to Old Wilsons. Good in the bar as well with some celebrations.

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Civil Service 6s vs. Merton 4s
SAL Minor Division 2 South
Saturday 17^th September 2016

So after last week’s disappointing result in the opening game of the season, it was time for the 4s to travel to Chiswick to face Civil Service.

Due to a four car pileup at Chiswick Roundabout, there was no option for everyone to park up at Barnes Bridge and walk to the ground. This meant a delayed KO with no chance to warm up.

We were with a few regulars meaning a step up from a few 5s players to help us out, namely Steve, Anam and Dave Golding. Noor Edam was also included in the squad after impressing in training during the week and recommended to us. Chris Outred deputised between the sticks following a ‘no show’ from our keeper. The joys of Saturday football!

We were on the back foot from the off of honest and Civil Service capitalised on this by taking the lead 15 minutes in. Conceding the goal seemed to give us a lift along with a slight change of positions due to Will picking up and injury with Joe converting to centre half. Arnold also picked up an injury forcing a change with Noor coming on in his place.

We were creating chances, some white Dom and Sonny should have easily put away but it was not meant to be. 5 minutes before the break we got a breakthrough. Dom surrounded by a sea of red shirt went to ground with the ref pointing to the spot. Dom picked himself up to slot the ball into the bottom left. 1-1 going into the break in the host were there for the taking.

The team talk at the break was a positive one. Keep doing what we were going before the break and we would get something out of the game. It wasn’t meant to be however.

Civil Service peppered our goals with shots from every opportunity and in the end it paid off. Positional errors and tired legs meant that another three goals were conceded. It could have been a lot worse had Chris had an off day in goal but he didn’t put a foot wrong, likewise either did Ryan putting in a Man of the Match performance for the second week in a row and making it very difficult for somebody to take the shirt off his back.

We realised that key to playing football is consistency and ensuring that you have the same guys week in week out. Let’s hope that going forward players are committed. If not then we can’t push forward.

We have a break from competitive football next weekend before our AFA Cup game away to Old Wokingians. Let’s hope for a better start in the Cup than we have had in the league. Come on boys!!!!!

FINAL SCORE: Civil Service 6s 4 – 1 Merton 4s SCORER: Dom Plumridge MOTM: Ryan Burchell

STARTING LINE-UP: Chris Outred (GK), Ryan Burchell, Will Harrison (Noor Edam), Steve Burchell, Edward Plaistow (Capt.), Arnold Collier (Chris Dodd), David Golding, Joe Plumridge, Anam Hussan, Sonny Kennedy, Dom Plumridge.

Following a hammering in game week one the 3s turned up seeking to put last weeks torment well and truly behind them. A dressing room full of new and old Merton blood sat eager to get things going. Fantastic timekeeping and mustard like money collecting started proceeding with clear intent to deliver a positive result. A clear dressing room veto on Ryan’s thoughts regarding dick of the day & match reporting was quickly decided with shouts of “who does he think he is? club secretary?” echoing in the air. With cliches ringing in everyone’s ears on how we will approach this game, each and every player contributed massively to what can only be described as an almost perfect day at the hood. Marred slightly by a very dubious sending off from both teams. More about that later.
With the oppo running late it was imperative that the 3s asserted themselves quickly. Captain for the day Vincenzo chose to go with the wind first half and it seemed like a wise call as Merton quickly found theirselves dominating possession with some slick passing on what was a very good pitch following Friday’s tsunami. It soon became apparent that this oppo were there for the taking and that we were a lot more focused this week. So we unleashed the reincarnation of Mr David Donavan (also known as Donno,donny and bloke upfront in mom nominations) Donno caused havoc to the Norseman defence with endless running, chasing down and ultimately a very well deserved hat trick and at least 8 assists, winning a penalty and hitting the post. (So he told me when I subbed him)
The first half went by very quickly and early on an almost fatal passage (which Iain was very unhappy about) of play between centre backs quickly turned into a goal for Merton on the break. Some neat passing in the middle of the pitch sent Andy off down the left who coolly slotted the ball sideways for Donno to get his first. This was followed up by lots of good football throughout the half. Although one pass from Neal in the left back position to Dan at right back caused a brief scare.(which Iain was very unhappy about) Dan at right back looked assured and comfortable playing the ball on the ground but was very happy to mix it up and send the ball up the line when needed. Vincenzo and Walshy dominated their forwards and gave very little away with Ricardo solid and willing to push on at left back. Both holding midfielders Neal and Darren (not Daz he is not a washing detergent) generally marshalled that area of the pitch breaking up any small threat caused and managed to control the game with some very decent passages of play from left to right and vice versa. Iain and Andy on both flanks always available and both happy to do their fair share of tracking back which helped the shape of the team immensely. Another attack saw Merton gain a corner and after a quick one two Iain was open around the back post, Neal knocked a ball just a little too long (which Iain was very unhappy about) and the chance disappeared. The second came with a mixture of pinball and quick feet from Neal, Joe (with beard) and Dan with Joe (with beard) neatly tucking home after a peach of a ball from Dan. There was also a penalty won by Donno who was clean through knocked it past the keeper then ran into him and the shouts and appeals were enough to convince the ref it was a foul. Ricardo offered pre match to take pens in search for his hat trick. He stepped up succeeding successfully in missing 3 pens in a row with shouts of LBW from the cricket match going on in the distance! (Although without a video umpire the batsman was given not out!) His frustration got the better of him picking up a cheeky yellow for a tackle soon after.
At this point in the match report there are certainly some worried men reading … Darcy (or is it Ben? no ones knows really), Dan K, Tony, Ryan, Mike Stone and Denyz all secretly thinking that they had better go training this week and they’d be right to be worried as the new Merton blood wanted to stake their claim on places and on this performance I am glad I am not Lofty. The second half kicked off continuing the same theme of dominance. With Frankie coming on at left mid for Ricardo and Joe (without beard) coming on for Joe(with beard)these hungry boars were ready to charge! Straight from kickoff the pressure was applied with Frankie bursting almost literally down the left and finally squaring it only for the keeper to make a solid save at the back post. Frankie and Iain continued to dominate their full backs and with Joe (without beard) bringing some beautiful footwork to proceedings Merton were coasting. Then the madness came the referee clearly bored he was not in the game enough decided to award a soft free kick against Merton, this resulted in a push in the head, a push back, a bit of squaring up and about 17 handbags. The ref calmed proceedings called both players over who had clearly resigned their selves to a stupid yellow each. only to be shocked the ref went to the dreaded shorts pocket and pulled out the red for both players. In disbelief both players left the pitch hugging, holding hands and vowing to take on the establishment together! Dave Loughton correctly brought me down to earth quickly in the bar telling me that I can appeal if I have video evidence. Unfortunately one player cam was focusing on Paul Walshy’s(Welchie’s) new fake Puma kings he purchased from Sports Direct earlier that day and the other was still searching for Ricardo’s penalty ball in the first half. The game was by no means over though there was still plenty of work to do and this was done professionally. Donno getting his Hat trick then getting subbed, Joe (without beard), Frankie and then Ricardo (with the goal of the day) finishing off a clearly desperate Norseman side. These goals were assisted but to be honest I can’t remember them as I was too busy sulking on the sideline however you can probably bet money at least one of them was called Joe (with or without beard) or Dan. There was still time for some more yellows from the ref and a goal from Norseman which they probably didn’t deserve. All in all a really assured performance from a clearly jubilant bunch of lads. The traditional one step beyond song was introduced to the new blood with Lofty even trying to get in on the act to celebrate a great result and we look forward to a local derby next week with that lot from Carshalton.

Mom; Donno but with some mentions to Joe(with beard) and Andy

A very close run Dick of the week contest between Neal (sending off) and Ricardo( pen miss) was sealed by Joe (without beard) who decided admirably he couldn’t vote for Ricardo for two games in a row hence my efforts in writing this report!
Great effort lads.
Team
Dan
Dan
Vincenzo (captain)
Walshy
Ricardo
Neal
Darren
Iain
Andy
Joe (with beard)
Donno

Joe (without beard) Frankie