Month: September 2016
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Merton vs Claygate 10/9/16
11 – 1
Match report by Ben Ind
1st quarter
score at start : 0-0
score at end : 0-0
A frustrating period for Merton in which they dominated but could not turn dominance into chances.
The closest they came were two one on ones that were well blocked by the keeper. Claygate could barely get the ball , let alone mount a serious attack.
2nd quarter
score at start : 0-0
score at end : 5-0
Finally, Merton broke the deadlock with some well taken goals,
something that their high pressing deserved. One of the main talking points was Merton’s 3rd goal, which , had it not gone in, would have aroused a serious case for a Merton penalty. A Claygate defender appeared to block a Merton shot with their hand, but the ball then fell to a Merton forward who then scored the 3rd goal.
3rd quarter
score at start : 5-0
score at end : 8-0
Merton finished off the game with three more goals to put the game beyond Claygate.
Merton struggled for goals in the first few minutes, much like the first quarter , but an own goal set them off.
4th quarter
score at start : 8-0
score at end : 11-1
Claygate finally managed to get on the scoresheet at the end.
A good counter attack ended with a powerful shot past the Merton keeper.
Merton added a few more but the game had been realistically over for a long time.
Summary
A one-sided affair in which the promising Merton side were not truly tested.
Other
The Merton coach said after the game that their weakness was slow starts but he was pleased with the way their high pressing worked.
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Saturday 10 September. The day the season began for the Merton 4s. And a lovely setting it appeared to be for the launch of the 2016/17 campaign. The Hood was abuzz with yellow, with four teams playing at home on the day – albeit that the other three games were friendlies.
As a result, many eyes were on the 4s, who were taking on Old Actonians – a side with whom they had got relegated at the end of last season. Confidence was abound though, given that Merton had done the double over these foes last time around, so under gloomy skies and with a slick surface, it seemed like the perfect platform to launch the new campaign.
The only notable absentee was the manager (how big a miss he would prove to be). Sam in goal, a solid back four of John, Will, Mike and Ryan, with Dan and Joe plugging central midfield. Doddsy and Chris were the two wingers, with Sonny and Dom the two frontmen in a bog standard 4-4-2
Yet Actonians were barely recognisable from last season; littered with youth, and as soon as the game kicked off, it was abundantly clear that they were the side more up for the occasion. Merton were penned in their own half, and the visitors were winning every first and second ball. Frustrations were simmering, Dom and Sonny were receiving the square root of zero in terms of service upfront, and Merton couldn’t seem to find a way to gain a foothold in the match.
Yet for all of Actonians’ superiority, the defence were at least able to contain things, and the opponents couldn’t really lay claim to having any genuine chances. It’s what made the opening goal all the more frustrating. The corner swung in, and their striker nodded in a free header from point blank. It resembled a training ground exercise, and was almost inexplicable for a team who never usually concede from corners.
Nevertheless, it was 1-0, and the grumblings continued. Danny pulled up with an injury and had to be replaced, and the remaining 10 minutes of the half followed much the same pattern. Merton doing nothing, Actonians with all the endeavour, and goalmouth activity minimal.
The sanctuary of half time arrived, and the talk was largely positive. The plan was to go 4-5-1 for the start of the second half, with Sonny sacrificed to make way for a midfield three of Doddsy, Joe and Carl, with Arnold and Chris the two wide men. And for the first 10 minutes of the second stanza, it worked a treat. Merton were contesting balls in the middle, stringing together some passes, and keeping Actonians at bay.
And then came the chance – a glorious one. Joe found Carl’s feet, and he dinked a delightful ball over the defence. Arnold, who had timed his run to perfection, found himself one on one with the keeper. Unfortunately, his finish snuck past the left-hand upright, and the chance was gone.
What followed next set the tone for the rest of a bitter match. Actonians played a through ball, and their striker was almost certainly offside. Yet the defence made the classic mistake of not playing to the whistle. The finish was clinical; Sam with no chance, and 2-0 it was.
But then things turned ugly. The recriminations began, and they were somewhat unfairly targeted at Sam. Yes, he made some errors, and on a few occasions failed to come off his line when he might have done. But in a game in which almost everyone to a man put in a performance ranging from mediocre to poor, it seemed slightly ludicrous to pinpoint Sam’s faults – not to mention the fact that he made an outstanding save to keep it at 2-0.
The third goal arrived amid the sea of negativity, with Actonians completing a deft manoeuvre down the right, and the little winger producing a superb finish to Sam’s left.
Ironically though, it was Sam who turned provider for Merton’s riposte. A high, handsome kick caused mayhem in the visitor’s defence, and Dom couldn’t believe his luck as he found himself one on one with the keeper. A man of his quality was never going to miss: 3-1 it was, and with 20 minutes to go, there was still hope.
But the negative atmosphere made that seem like a distant dream. The bickering continued; again, largely targeted at Sam, and the final quarter was actually thoroughly unenjoyable. The fourth goal came for Actonians towards the end. Another bit of irony in that one too, given that it came via an excellent chip that caught Sam off his line (just as he’d been ordered to be).
By the time the final whistle went, heads were well and truly down, tempers were flaring, and everyone couldn’t wait to get off the park. An attempt at mending fences by the skipper in the changing room afterwards didn’t go according to plan, and it remains to be seen whether the 4s have now lost the services of Sam for the season.
Whoever was right or wrong, it mattered not. This was a sorry affair, and a poor start to the season. It’s difficult to believe such fractious scenes would have taken place in the presence of the manager, and his return next week can’t come quickly enough. This is a team in need of some soul searching (and perhaps a goalkeeper), and will need to very quickly consign the day’s events to history, and start again.
Saturday 17 September. The day the season began. Let’s hope so.
Team: Sam Singer Ripley (GK), John Gridley, Mike Todt, Will Harrison, Ryan Burchell, Chris Outred, Joe Plumridge, Dan Gridley, Chris Dodd, Sonny Kennedy, Dom Plumridge
Subs: Arnold Collier, Carl Kewley
Goal: Dom Plumridge
Booked: Dan Gridley
MOTM: Ryan Burchell
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The future’s bright. It’s all yellow.
Today’s results from the youth section:
Our U9s beat Claygate Royals 11-1.
U11s drew 3-3 with Esher Colts. Goals from Comack, Rohan and Kaya
Our U13s lost away at Epsom and Ewell 3-1 but played really well (the opposition ‘keeper was outstanding). Our U14s beat RPV 8-2. Goals including 2 hat tricks from Chris and Bruno and 2 goals from Kieran.
And our U15s beat Halliford Colts 8-4.
A great start to the season. Well done boys. Well done to Steve and his team of dedicated managers/coaches. Great stuff. (pics will follow)
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Todays Results.
A slightly disappointing and wet start to the season. The 1s and 2s SAL games were called off as Lloyds Warren could not fulfil the fixtures. The 2s had a very good friendly with South Bank which they managed to draw 3-3 after being 3-0 up. Good game though! 3s lost their first league game away at Ally Pally 5-1. Tough oppo. And the 4s lost 4-1 to Old Acts in their first league game The 5s won 4-0 against South Bank with goals from Dwayne Bedford, Andy Bitmead, Delman Babaker and Billy on his debut. The 6s beat Old Wilsonians 2-1 but we scored all the goals with Mark Chappell scoring an o.g. for the oppo! That’s was two in two for him.
And throughout a miserable wet afternoon they completed a cricket match. Bless ’em!!
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Merton FC Events 2016
FIRST SOCIAL DRINKS OF THE SEASON – JOSEPH HOOD BAR,
SATURDAY 10th SEPTEMBER FROM 5.30PM – 8PM.
ALL TEAMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MEET IN THE BAR AFTER THE 1st DAY OF THE SEASON FOR A FEW OF THE TEAMS.
SATURDAY 1st OCTOBER
JOSEPH HOOD – FROM 6PM – 10PM
TEAM MERTON vs. THE USA – MERTON RYDER CUP NIGHT
Dress: (Optional for those watching) Golf themed
Specific golf club-house challenges & Live Ryder Cup! Night out in golf fancy dress. All teams to dress in golf attire for club house comp.
SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER
JOSEPH HOOD – FROM 5PM LIVE ITV, ENGLAND V MALTA, GAMES, BETS, FOOD & BEERS IN THE BAR.
PLUS, DON’T MISS MERTON VETS vs OLD WESTMINSTER CITZ VETS at JOSEPH HOOD 1PM K.O (Want to play contact Mark Chappell or Roger
THAT’S THE MERTON QUIZ
Sat 12th November
7pm PROMPT START – FINISH 10PM (drinks in bar after)
Teams of 6 maximum
£10 per person (includes fish and chips / and or sausage & chips)
All the classic rounds – year that was, music, sport, football, general knowledge, picture round, history etc etc…
SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER
JOSEPH HOOD – 6.00PM START
CELEBRATE THE START OF THE FESTIVE PERIOD WITH TEAM MATES & ALL THE CLUB. CHRISTMAS JUMPER THEME.
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Big Sunday at the Hood with all 5 youth teams playing and Induction day BBQ. Thanks to the organisers and helpers. Steve and McKenzie, Daniel Willard, Dave Laughton and Dan, Darren and Daneilius’s mum for helping on BBQ. U11s beat AFC Walcountians 4-1, U13s lost to Met Police whites 3-1 U15s beat Met police Reds 5-2 for a really great performance. U9s lost to a strong Ewell side but U14s won comfortably. So thanks to all the helpers/organisers and supporters!!!
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Today’s Results. A cracking afternoon at the Hood. Our 3s had a great game with Shaun Jones’s vets side. Really good game which we won 6-2. In the inter club friendly the 1s beat the 2s 3-2 again a really good game. Our 5s lost 3-1 to Alleyns. 4s drew 2-2 to a West Wickham 4 team which are a league above them. 6s lost 7-2 to old blues who decided to field 4 1st tam players in the game which took it away from being the close contest it had been. Some good performances from a few new faces and lots of positive to take forward.
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As of Wednesday (21st September) and every Wednesday night, training will be moving to St Marks Academy, CR4 1SF (right near Mitcham Eastfields station).
Training is separated into two sessions
Session One – Under 9s, 11s and 14s will be from 6pm – 7pm
Session Two – Under 13s and 15s will be from 7pm – 8pm
Please aim to get there 15 minutes before session starts so training can begin promptly. Please note that the playing surface is AstroTurf, so no metal studs. More details can be found on the Training Page.
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As of next Wednesday (7 September) and every Wednesday night, training will be moving to St Marks Academy, CR4 1SF (right near Mitcham Eastfields station). Please aim to get there for 7.45pm for an 8pm start. Please note that the playing surface is AstroTurf, so no metal studs. More details can be found on the Training Page.
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Merton FC Stats End of Season
