Weirside pulled off a robbery right under the noses of the Met Police (FC) to snare all 3 points at Imber Court. This was an emotional day for Merton, sporting black armbands and holding a minute’s silence to mark the tragic passing of fellow boar Nick Papanastasiou last week. Merton started the game in Nick-esque fashion, with high energy and intensity, and might have had their first penalty a couple of minutes in when Dan skinned his man and was clipped on the line as he cut into the box. The game ground to a halt as everyone turned to the referee for his decision. Was it a pen or a free kick….? Neither, apparently, and the game went on. More bemusement followed as Merton’s back 4 stepped up and confidently called offsite. No whistle…. and what seemed like half an hour later the ball was walked into our net with Big Jase setting off in hot pursuit of the ref which may have contributed to him twanging his groin 10 mins into the 2nd half.
Weirside’s next real chance (of 3 in the match) wouldn’t come until the last 5 minutes of the game. In the interin, almost everybody in yellow tried and failed to notch. First, Joe Grew flicked a header against the angle of post and bar. Then Pearcey was clipped in the box and went down quicker than an AC/DC groupie. Free kick awarded for diving. Then a Weirside defender blocked a cross/shot in the box with his hands raised above his head like an umpire signalling a six. No pen, despite a free-kick being awarded for the same thing in midfield 10 minutes later. As a sort of interlude from the succession of missed chances, Stoney put in a good old fashioned chopper on his opposite number, who moaned about it for the next 15 minutes to anyone within earshot. Sadly that didn’t include the perpetrator as Mike had crocked himself and limped off straight after. Gresty followed a couple of classic amateur football moments (treading on the ball in the centre circle and shanking a cross out of play from the corner of the 6-yard box) by somehow managing to kick the ball over the bar whilst laying on the goal line. Then his header in midfield put Dan clear through on goal, but the keeper saved bravely to send Merton into the break a goal down.
Merton pushed forward in the second half, finding joy from Cookie and Alex Goodwin pinging balls in behind the full backs. Pearcey was inches away from connecting with Dan’s cross from the right and then he headed wide from 6 yards on the end of Rayner’s. More good work down the right saw Dan stab a shot agonisingly between the post and Gresty. Lots of chances, but it much work for the keeper. That changed when Jordan rose like his Liverpool idol John Barnes (the player; not the awful pundit/channel 5 football presenter) but his header from the edge of the box was brilliantly tipped onto the bar. Cometh the hour mark, cometh DQ from the bench, making his Merton return after a succession of injuries/sexual harassment claims. And it’s fair to say he looked a little rusty with his first effort, blazing high over the treeline from 10 yards out. He got much closer with his second though, a header nodded down at the back post, bouncing back off the upright and being scrambled away. Next up was Lofty, unleashing a fizzing piledriver which infuriatingly swerved back in towards the keeper and into his midriff. Weirside did have the odd foray into Merton territory, mostly mopped up by Stoney and Cookie at CB and the Alexes at full back. When they did carve out the chance to put the game to bed, Sherbs pulled off a wonder save, leaping at full stretch to palm the ball round the post. Merton’s final chance came when Cookie surged forward and was scythed down on the edge of the box. Up stepped Alex G who bent a sumptuous free kick up and over the wall…. and inches wide of the near post. With that, the final whistle blew and the game was lost. The failure to score continued deep into Saturday night, but that is another story.
So a frustrating result and a game Merton really should have got something from. But to be honest it pales into insignificance in the context of this week.
Team: Sherbs, Alex King, Ben Cook, Big Jase, Alex Goodwin, Mike Stone, Gresty, Joe Grew, Rayner, Pearcey, Dan Kelly. Subs: Lofty, Jordan, DQ
MOM: Alex Goodwin who just pipped Alex King, hitherto unmentioned in this match report because there were so many misses to get through.
Name: Jordan Cox
Team: 2s/3s super squad
Position: Right midfield
Birth Date:8/2/1993
Birth Place: Aintree, Liverpool
Previous Clubs: Other Amateur clubs
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I moved to London last year and work in HR for TfL. I get involved with anything in and around London and play a variety of sports. Hopefully I can say I’m a friendly lad having met some fantastic mates already.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
Gresty. Played with him for the London transport team and got me involved with Merton training.
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
It was only my first league game last Saturday having been injured for the start of the season, so I’d say learning the clubhouse rules as they will come in handy in the future. Also the club polo shirt proved to be a great taking point in the Wandle, even on Halloween.
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Liverpool. It’s a shame not to see a local lad in the current starting line up as the supporters really get behind them no matter what.
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I used to demand the number 4 shirt as it was my first number when starting football but I’ve moved on. None for now.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
At this moment, I need to get my fitness back and hopefully contribute towards a good run of games to get the 2s/3s up the table to make it exciting come the end of the season.
RAPId FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Phil coutinho
1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I moved over to the UK from Australia about 18 months ago after graduating from university. I started on the graduate scheme at BT and now find myself working as a Product Manager for BT Sport. Outside of work, I am usually planning my next trip as I love to travel.
2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
I had Mike Stone give Clappers my number after witnessing some magical skills at 5 a-side.
3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Scoring a very scrappy penalty in a shoot-out win over Bank of England in the cup.
4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Tottenham Hotspur – childhood team.
5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I usually like to get to the ground early (I don’t think this has happened once since I started getting a lift with Siri) and try to get my hands on one of the few medium sized jerseys.
6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
PREVIOUS CLUBS: None, recently moved across from Rugby
1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
Hi everyone, I work for BT (like many Merton players) and live in South London, having recently departed my homeland of Essex. My degree is in Sport and Exercise science so completely irrelevant to my current job, but sport has always been something I’ve been passionate about and I’ve played loads over the years. I would describe myself as fairly self-deprecating most of the time, layered with sarcasm and the occasional witty comment.
2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
I was introduced to the club by my good pal Mike Stone, who used to work with me at BT.
3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
I’d say this is to be confirmed, but perhaps our dramatic penalty shoot out win in the cup a few weeks back. I bottled it and didn’t take one but we were all very happy.
4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Probably anywhere in the MLS for the weather and money.
5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Nope, other than lots of stretching these days since tearing my hamstring not that long ago.
6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
On a personal level I’d like to simply know my best position and be comfortable knowing what I’m doing on an 11 a side pitch. As a team we’ve had a tough start but I think we are good enough to push up the table before long.
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football):
3’s Match Report vs Alexandra Park – 29th October 2016
This weekend’s game was led by a minute’s silence to remember to Nick Papanastasiou a top guy and true boar who sadly passed away whilst on his travels in Vietnam. Both teams showed there respects by engaging in a minutes silence prior to kick off.
Merton lined up with a 4-4-2 formation designed to move the ball quickly up the field to utilize the pace and flair of Glenn combining with the strength of Denys to ensure we could create chances to get an early goal against an in form Alexandra Park who have been bothering the top end of the table so far this season. The game kicked off with Merton under pressure in the first 10 minutes with a number of chances falling to Alexandra Park’s right winger and striker with nothing coming to fruition.
Ricardo was forced off early on in the first half with a suspected injury to his ankle with Frankie coming on from the bench to push into left midfield and Andy dropping to left back. The game was fairly end to end with a number of chances for both sides materializing in the first half with most play coming down the wings for both sides yet neither side could convert until late in the first half where Alexandra Park scored the first goal of the game despite goalkeeper Dan doing his best to keep the chance out.
As the second half kicked off Merton were pressing from the midfielder to get an early goal back with a couple of chances flying over the bar or being comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. The second goal of the game came for Alexandra Park from a corner in which in some poor judgement from Frankie coming off the past far to early led to the opposition able to head home with ease at the far post. Merton looked to be struggling to get back into the game at this point with few opportunities a sub was made in which Elz was brought on after playing for the 1’s and taking on a forward role at the expense of Denys. Almost with his first touch from a cleverly worked quick free kick Elz tapped in from the back post and Merton were back in the game. As Merton continued to press the team was switched to a 3-4-3 formation in which seemed to help pile the pressure on to the opposition with chances presenting themselves more frequently than any other point in the game it looked like Merton would be able to get back into the game.
With a few minutes to run a late flurry from Alexandra Park saw their right winger forge a run into the box and an attempted tackle by Tony who had been solid at centre back the entire game saw the Alexandra Park player go down and a dubious penalty awarded. The initial effort was saved well by Dan with the follow up turned in by Alexandra Park which led to the final score of the game at 3-1.
Although not the result that the 3’s had wanted to honor Nick’s memory the game was played in good spirit with the opposition after the game going and paying their respects to Nick’s family and friends who had come down to watch and support the game.
Today Merton FC played Worplesdon Rangers warriors in a action packed match.before the game started there was a minute silence for a Merton adults player who had sadly died in a traffic accident.
The match kicks off .
Lots of runs and plays are happening at both ends of the field. Then worplesdon rangers get a free kick on the half way line and there taker smacks it forward and it bounces over the keeper. 1-0 to Worplesdon rangers. Later on the other team gets a corner it comes curling in and one of the Merton defenders headers it into his own net. 2- 0 to Worplesdon rangers . Although Merton were 2- 0 they still had fight in them but Worplesdon went on the attack again and scored making it 3-0 after only 15mins, not a good start.
Later on Marcus got the ball and ran Through the defender and made it 3-1.
Straight after Marcus received the ball and ran with it and he couldn’t be stopped then he shot and it went in 3-2 to the opposition, the come back was on. After attacks at both ends of the pitch and saves from both keepers . Merton did a few passes then got the ball out to Marcus and then he put the ball in the box to Theo who then smaked a left footed volley straight into the bottom right hand corner. Everyone cheered and was impressed of what a good goal it was. 3-3
Half time Steve gives the boys a talk and tells them what they need to do.
2nd half Kicks off .
Lots of chances happen at both ends both defences had there work cut out for them.
The Thier keeper takes a goal kick and it falls to Evan who smacks it straight over the keeper it was a excellent goal. Later on the opposition looked like they were going to equalise but then the linesman said offside as the striker put the ball into the net.
The final whistle blows.
4-3 to Merton the teams shake hands and say well played to each other.
Everyone worked hard in that match but the man of the match was Marcus.
Match report by Jack Harrington (left back/centre back)
After the disappointment of the cup run which means we can no longer qualify for the next round, focused was switched back to the league where a good season is anticipated! The regulars had returned from wooing there lady friends last week and the team had a look of familiarity to the squad. The gaffer had just about recovered from a traumatic week as he managed to get everyone a game of football and assisted in creating the new seventh team!
Anyway on to the game, Old Wilsonians 8’s is a problematic fixture for us in the past and we had already lost heavily to them in the cup, so a tough game was expected. With a good attacking team on paper it was time to put these youngsters through there paces and hopefully give them a good platform to start there adult football adventure with Merton.
Merton with pace on both flanks and up top started brightly. Every player was enjoying early touches on the ball and looking to play out from the back which was a breath of fresh air!
It wasn’t long before chances were being created with Callum and Pete both going close. The midfield pair of Ty and Chris dominated and made it difficult for Wilsons to create many chances. Midway through the first half Merton got the breakthrough. A superb, long and accurate throw in from Skipper (and report writer!) found Paul in the area who superbly turned and shot (or crossed) and the ball looped over the keeper into the net, 1-0 Merton.
After we scored Wilson’s began to up there game and Merton were on the back foot. Dangerous free kicks were given away and there wingers were starting to stretch the play. Inevitably disaster struck and Wilsonians scored. Good play from their winger who managed to slip past Ram and set up their striker one on one with Swanny who managed to dink it over him and with the skipper anticipating this, tried to clear off the line but got the faintest of touches to no avail. Some of the squad are saying this was an own goal, but I’m not having it!
After dominating the play we were left wondering if this was going to be one of them days! Our heads slightly dropped and our crisp play was starting to desert us. Then the moment of controversy in the game. If this was the premier league this would have been on all the back pages and still be talked about in years to come!!
Wilsons broke and with Smithy not sure whether to go ball or runner left them both! Wilsons were in behind (calm down John!) and after a squared ball we were all waiting for the net to bulge and be 2-1 down! However instead of simply kicking the ball in the net, the striker fell over the ball, and decided to use a hand in knocking the ball in instead – a goal was given and there was outrage (Ty should have been booked as was out of order to the ref!). This is where the spirit of the SAL comes into play and with the oppo skipper noticing the handball and striker also partially admitting it, the goal was chalked off. My hat goes off to the skipper and will make sure an email is sent to the club praising his efforts!
This seemed to finally spark Merton back into life and maybe gave us the kick up the arse we needed! After winning tackles and starting to get the ball down chances were being created again and it wasn’t long before we re-took the lead, great play from Paul led to him finding Callum who cut inside and took a shot which was pushed in the net by the keeper making it 2-1 and it wasn’t even half-time yet.
Half-time came and went and to be honest the second half flew by without much incident! Changes were made by Merton and all who came on had blinders! We even introduced one of the youngest player in Merton’s history with Dylan making his debut!
Chances again came and went for Merton and we should have added to our scoreline and we were still wondering if we would rue these chances. Wilsonians did have a couple of half chances but the defence stood strong and with them tiring due to no subs Merton held on for the win.
One sour note was Swanny putting his back out which could see him sidelined for a while, but up stepped the skipper to stand in goal for the final moments (when they found a proper adults shirt that fitted him!!!)
Anyway let’s hope we can carry this form onto next weeks game and as I write this report numbers are high so bare with the manager!
MAN OF THE MATCH: The whole squad played really well and this was our best game this season! But a clear winner this week was Paul – well played that man!!
DICK OF THE DAY: I am not happy about this but apparently after scoring an own goal (it wasn’t) and at fault for the controversy (I didn’t see the runner!) and the shirt debacle. Yes its me (Kev!) – as the saying goes “every dog has its day!”
Our Under 14s held their 7th league game at ‘THE HOOD’ against Bedfont Eagles again after meeting them in 2nd Round of the Invitation Cup Away from Home knocking them out 4-1. Immediately from the start you could see the confidence flowing, with the U14s dominating possession straight away creating a host of chances in & around the opposition area. 10 minutes in Dwayne Clarke opened the scoreline with a tidy finish! great assist by Mattia Salardi cutting inside from the left & rolling it across the 6 yard box. Christopher Sindika Top goalscorer for the 14s was quick to score the second with a long range effort! The first half was a solid despite the opposition trying their best to retain possession but the 14s seemed to be superior displaying great passing ranges across the pitch and players quick to regain the ball when losing it. This followed right through the second half with the match ending 11-0. Probably 14s strongest display as a TEAM! The scorers were Mattia Salardi with (2), Dwayne Clarke (3), Alfie Waters (1), Boris Mijalcev (1), Chris Sindika (2), Jamal Semambo (1) & Marcus Scotland (1). Congratulations to Jamie Berry 2 clean sheets in a row, Merton U14s still sit top of the league with 19 points with 7 games played! A Great confidence boost for the next fixture in the 3rd round of the Invitation cup against AFC Ewell! (Away)
Chiswick is fast becoming a home from home for us this year, and we made the long, arduous and at times torturous journey down for the third time this season having taken maximum points from the first 2. We arrived early [apart from this weary match reporter travelling down from Manchester] and were suitably warmed up before the game – slightly worrying was the tired faces after the mildest of exercises but we started quickly nonetheless.
In the early stages of this game we seemed to be set on writing the wrongs of last week and were pressing and defending as a collective. It took around 10 – 15 minutes for us to create our first real chance, with the ball breaking to Andy Bitmead who turned and ran at the defence. As he approached the 18 yard box, he carefully stroked the ball towards goal with his left foot. The ball beat the keeper, but agonisingly for the 5s struck the foot of the post and rebounded perfectly for their defence to clear.
The 5s were immediately on the offensive again though, and the ball was played over the top for Dulanjie to chase. It seemed a lost cause with the defender having such a head-start, and in truth the defender should have had total control of the situation. It seemed he was put off by the whole of their team demanded he put the ball out for a corner; either that or he was in deep contemplation over what to have for dinner later. The houndish Dulanjie sniffing an opportunity managed to catch the defender and swing a long limb around the defender and prod the ball past the keeper. He claims it was a leg, however without video evidence it remains uncertain which limb did make contact – all we know is that the 5s were 1 up and Dulanjie maintains his rich goal scoring form.
Speaking of Rich, he was the next to come close. As a result of some excellent interchange between Rich, Dulanjie and Andy, the ball was laid back to Rich 20 yards from goal. His ferocious effort dipped and swerved but unfortunately, marginally too late to ripple the back of the net. A fine effort though – surely a matter of time!
In fairness to the opposition, they reacted pretty well to going a goal down and got themselves into the game. We defended resolutely in spite of the pressure, limiting them to long range chances that were effortlessly caught by Sam in goal. The one time he was worked meaningfully was when their forward latched on to a through ball, however was met by Sam who was quick off his line and narrowed the angle to make it impossible for the striker to slot it past him. That save was to be the only good save of note that he was forced to make, but he made it comfortably.
Apart from a difficult header for Dulanjie that he narrowly mistimed, the first half ended without much more excitement. The second half saw the 5s defence dominate, leaving Sam in goal redundant – he may as well have brought one of the new “ipad” devices and watched final score whilst chilling with a can of Carlsberg. At the other end, we were continuing to create chances, however they were mostly half chances and we struggled to score the elusive second goal. That is until the final couple of minutes, when Dulanjie picked the ball up just outside the box, turned and rifled a shot that deflected off the defender and beat the hapless keeper to end the game at 2 – 0. Own goal, perhaps? We will give Dulanjie the benefit of the doubt on this one.
And thus the flying 5s soared to a heroic victory off the back of a terribly disappointing result last week. We performed well as a team and most players came off notably exhausted, with Gibbo in particular moving as limply as a cat that had been run over by a double decker bus. Everyone performed well & deserves a pat on the back. The man of the match award though was given to Delman, who was unbelievably solid throughout, outpacing all of their forwards to literally run rings around them. Other performances of note were the remarkably solid Steve and Clive at the back who did not put a step wrong, Dwayne and Aaron whose pace caused Poly’s back line no end of problems, Gibbo who was combative in the centre of midfield with Ackers and Andy getting on the ball and dominating possession, and the impressive Dulanjie who added another 2 to his impressive tally for this season. Well played lads, let’s do our best to take this into the next game.
