Year: 2016

This weeks edition of the Merton Way is dedicated to Nick Papanastasiou, a true boar who we sadly lost last week in a tragic accident whilst he was on his travels in Vietnam.

Those of us that knew Nick would agree that you will never meet a more happy-go-lucky guy whose big cheeky smile and positivity never failed to lift those around him. The outpouring of love from the 100s of messages and photos posted on his Facebook page are testament to this. “Loyal”, “One of a Kind” “Talented” “Charming” “Energetic” and “Intelligent”, are just a few words that help to paint a picture of the kind of guy he was.

 
For someone of his age, Nick was a fountain of knowledge in a wide range of subjects, but undoubtedly his passion was in fitness and nutrition. He spent many hours explaining to me and anyone who would listen the benefits of eating the diet of a caveman and the best ways to “jack” your testosterone levels through exercise and eating animal fats! He is the only player I have ever known to do a 2 hour Olympic lift and squat session the night before a big game, cycle 7 miles from home to the match at the Hood on a Saturday afternoon and still be the freshest player on the pitch. When most players are struggling to walk after a game he would just hop onto his bike, usually to a friend’s BBQ for some meat (no carbs). I would challenge someone to remember a time off the pitch where he wasn’t holding a protein shake or a packet of pre-cooked chicken from Sainsbury’s.

As far as his football goes, Nick could really play – even when he was turning up after a heavy night at Fabric, running on fumes, with only after half an hour sleep! He had excellent movement, a great pass and could find the back of the net when half a chance presented itself. The 3rd of October 2015 springs to mind, where, away to Merton 3’s rivals Old Parkonians, we were approaching half time, when Merton, against the run of play took the lead with Chris P, Nick’s brother playing his part by nudging the goalkeeper (who had run miles out of goal for some reason) off the ball, which then fell to Nick, who still with a lot to do lifted the ball over the stranded keeper from 35-40 yards for a delightful finish to put the Boars 1-0 up at half time. It’s a shame this exquisite goal from Nick wasn’t emulated by the team in the second half and Merton ended up well beaten at 5-1 when the final whistle went. Nonetheless a memorable goal that is etched into the minds of the Merton 3s dream team of 14/15.

As a friend and a teammate he had a great personality, excellent banter and was completely loyal. I’ve shared so many great memories with Nick, the infamous weekend in Berlin, Copenhagen, Skiing in Les Deux Alps, and Flaine to name just a few. He really knew how to live life to it’s full, seek adventure and find the funny side to everything.

On the Merton 2 and 3s WhatsApp group the heartfelt tributes in response to the premature loss of our friend has been overwhelming and it’s clear that Nick will be sorely missed. His bother Chris has expressed a wish to do something within the club to commemorate Nick at some point in the future but in the meantime we will be holding a minute’s silence before all games on Saturday as a mark of respect.

Last week we lost a brother, a great friend, a teammate and a true boar. Let’s show our respect by going out there this week and making him proud. We will observe a minute’s silence before all games at the weekend as a mark of respect.

I’m going to miss ya buddy

Tom Benham

Old Finchleians 3 – 2 Merton 3’s

The day started as usual with a vigorous warm up running side to side on the pitch dominated mainly by the 12 players trying to learn each other’s names (of the 12 only 3 played the week before and there were a couple of debutants). Once the game had kicked off the Boars, starting out with a 442 formation, were straight on the front foot keeping the ball and creating a couple of half chances. After 15 minutes of back and forth the game kicked in to life when a relatively easy one on one save by the Boars keeper (Gubby or Gabby who you will hear about again in due course…) and quick throw out to Alex at left back, led to a counter attack goal smartly finished over an oncoming keeper by DK
After a couple of half chanced by the opposition, a free kick was given away on the edge of the Boars box which was smartly converted over the 4 man wall in to the top corner of the Boars net to draw the game level. The Boars lost their early momentum at this point and when another free kick was given away, a ball deep in to the Boars box found an unmarked opposition player who converted his free header back across the goal to make it 1-2.
After 2 goals in relatively quick succession, the Boars started to find their feet again winning a free kick in a similar position to the last won by the opposition and an equally delicious delivery led to a carbon copy header by Ross to level things up at 2-2. Ross nearly turned provider as he broke down the left and managed to square the ball across the box towards DK for a tap in, only for the keeper to get a hand to it and divert it away. All agreed as we went in to half time that the Boars had had the better of the first half and if not for a 10 minute period of set piece madness or if we had converted some of our numerous half chances, we could have been in front. One chance in particular stands out.
Unfortunately, the Boars didn’t come out in the first half with the same momentum and the opposition were on the front foot from the kick-off, aided by the opposition keepers superhuman kick distance. This guy was reaching the edge of the Boars box or further with kicks off the floor and out of his hands, playing to the height advantage the Boars were giving to the opposition on the day. After about 20 minutes of half chances from the opposition, the Boars keeper (told you that you would hear about him again) spooned a goal-kick to the opposition forward and then followed the mistake up by not winning the following challenge with the striker, giving him an open net to put the opposition up 3-2.
The opposition continued with the pressure for the rest of the half after the Boars reverted to a more familiar (as I am told) 433 formation. Apart from a few half chances, Andy L having a shot blocked on the line by a combination of keeper and defender and a few other half chances that all seemed to get blocked before they could finish their path to the top corner of the oppositions net, the Boars didn’t really threaten the opposition keeper enough. Gubby was given the chance to turn from zero to hero (kind of) by pulling out a Gordon Banksesque save to get down and tip what should have been a tap in from 6 yards around the post. A few more saves towards the end of the game kept the score at 3-2, but in truth the second half performance was the Boars downfall on the day.
Some positives can defiantly be taken from the performance. On a day where the team knew each other better, a couple of half chances had been converted and fitness was maybe at a higher level, the Boars could have walked away with at least a point from a game like this.

MOTM – Keeper Gubby

DOTD – Keeper Gubby – A rare double on debut of keeping a team in it and throwing it away for them

TEAM – Gubby, Gabby, Mustard, Vin, Alex, Neal, Darcy, Andy L, DK, Denys, Iain, Ross

Merton FC 1-2 kingstonians

Excellent performance that ultimately ended in a defeat for a hardworking and battling side today.

The team had to regroup and start again following the result last week and message of the day was to get the enjoyment back in the team, and have fun playing football.

We made a solid start despite kingstonians having a lot of the ball. Holding strong under immense pressure at times, whilst kingstonians knocked the ball around at comefortable ease.

We nicked a goal and took a 1-0 lead, albeit against the run of play, but something that we had worked hard for. Bradley applying the finishing touch after the ball bobbled around in the area. Following the goal we continued to battle and could have had 2 or 3 more goals had we taken our chances.
A free kick was given 5 yards in our half, not much danger for us; or so it seemed! There skipper pulling out a cracking free kick that flew past estaban in goal.

1-1 and it was game on, an even contest that both teams battled for the upper hand in.

2nd half and we continued to play well, battling and showing our quality when we had the ball. Challenge from last weekend was to create more chances than we did last time, and we did. Continuing to create chances, and getting closer to their goal.

Midway through the 2nd half, Jake running in on goal. K’s goalkeeper came rushing out and handled outside his area. Ks were rattled and Merton carried on pushing for the second goal.

We began to run out of ideas and ks began to increase the pressure on our goal.
We continued to battle and hold out until 79th minute. When we lost our player in the box and he fired in the winner. Undeserved winner – couldn’t be prouder of our players for their attitude and battling spirit.

Massive well done to all players, great attitude and spirit. Especially when opposition challenged the respect campaign to its boundaries!! Keeping our heads and continuing to do what we do best.

Well done lads. Up the Merton

Merton FC 2 – 3 West Wickham

Fresh off a much-needed win the previous week in the Cup, it was back to league matters for the Merton 4s against West Wickham at the Hood. The game was delayed owing to a horror injury for Tom Reid (wishes from all of us for a speedy recovery mate), but the game did eventually get going about half an hour late.

Dan Gridley was missing this week, which was a shame, but a similar formation was adopted with Will sitting in as a midfield screen once again. It became apparent within the first few minutes that it would be a game of few chances though, with both teams very evenly matched – almost cancelling each other out. But Merton were giving as good as they got, looking solid in defence, and occasionally threatening with their pacy legs upfront.

But as has become typical, they conceded an awful first goal that came largely against the run of play, effectively undoing their good work. An entirely innocuous cross came in; Mike left it thinking Kieran was coming to claim, the ball bounced awkwardly between the two, and the striker, who couldn’t believe his luck, bundled it over the line.

A clusterfuck really, but it had nothing on the second goal. Once again an awkward ball came in over the defence. Again it bounced awkwardly, and the striker nodded it onto the crossbar – somewhat gently. Kieran did well to get a palm to the rebound, but succeeded only in doing so onto the back of the unsuspecting striker’s head. And, as is the way, this inadvertent ‘header’ somehow found it’s way into the goal.

2-0 down. Unbelievable Jeff. West Wickham had barely had a shot in anger! It was cruel on Merton, but now they simply just had to find a way to get back into it.

And they did just that. The spirits stayed up, the work rate never dropped, and, after a good sustained 10-minute period of plugging away, the reward came. Carl dinked a delightful ball through for Dom, who ran onto it with his usual ease and grace. Even from a tight angle, there was only ever going to be one outcome, and he slotted it past the keeper to pull it back to 2-1.

Merton pushed hard for an equaliser before the half, but, in truth, it was mostly with long balls and crosses, which their keeper had no problems dealing with.

At the break, the talk was positive; rueing the shambolic and unfortunate goals conceded, but with the belief that, with a bit more ball on ground football, a victory lay in wait.

Unfortunately, soon after proceedings resumed, the curse of the cheap goal struck yet again. Wickham won a free kick in a dangerous position, but the delivery was fairly bog standard. However, with a clever dummy run by one of their strikers, Kieran was put off, and the ball went directly into the net.

3-1. So unfortunate again, but also very frustrating. The visitors had barely carved out a single decent opportunity, and yet somehow had three goals to their credit.

Infuriating as it was, Merton just had to keep going. And they did just that, in fairness. No one switched off, solid work at the back provided a good base from which to build and everyone to a man worked their socks off. Ryan Burchell came on and provided a good outlet down the right too, and although much of the game was being played in midfield, Merton used the space out wide well, and got to the bylines on numerous occasions.

Chances were few and far between though. Ryan had one effort which went just over the crossbar, while Dom was well thwarted a few times having latched onto some scraps upfront.

Merton really played some good football in the final 10, and put Wickham under immense pressure. But time was running out, and the second goal arrived a bit too late. Dom got the ball just outside their box, and played a delightful through ball to Will, who’d made a lung-busting run down the left. Will took it on the run, rounded the keeper, and did ever so well to put it away from a tight angle.

3-2, with just a couple of minutes left on the clock. Merton then threw bodies forward, but unfortunately weren’t able to create anything. The whistle eventually went, and a gutting, narrow defeat was the final outcome. Undoubtedly, it was a disappointing one to lose, and things could have been so different.

But there were plenty of positives to take too, and Merton need not be too downbeat. The standard of play has improved dramatically since early season, the team spirit is far better, and you can’t help but feel that a decent run of results isn’t too far away.

Team: Kieran Lee (GK), Ed Plaistow, Mike Todt, Joe Plumridge, Will Harrison, John Gridley, Chris Outred, Joe Underwood, Cameron Brooks, Carl Kewley, Dom Plumridge

Subs: Noor Emad, Chris Dodd, Ryan Burchell

MOTM: Will Harrison

DOTD: Mike Todt, for the cock up in the first goal, and for giving Chris the spoon in the bar afterwards!

Todays Youth Results.

The U9s who have just beeen promoted four divisions lost 3-1 to Carshalton Athletic (Up against the big boys metaphorically speaking -they are still U9s). U13s drew 2-2 with Old Coulsden Colts and the U15s lost 2-1 against Kingstonian Youth. U14s Result is still awaited. Well done boys a good effort.

Todays Results and A red letter day with Merton fielding seven full teams and subs.

Pride of place goes to the 7s who beat CEV 6s 5-1 on their debut. Well done to Martin and the boys. Great performance and thanks to CEV for coming all this way for the game. Match report

The 6s won 2-1 at Old Wilsons a great win.
Clive’s 5s were brought down to earth by South Bank 3-0 but Tom Reid suffered a nasty injury, taken away in an ambulance.

The 4s (h)and 3s (a) both lost tight games 3-2.

The 2s lost 7-2 in the cup to NUFC oilers Res who looked very sharp.

The 1s fought out a high quality competitive 0-0 draw with EBOG. Bar buzzing afterwards and a really important step forward for the club.

This League game was and is going to probably be our easiest. Rock Lane did have 1 or 2 good players but as a team they were not complete. We took advantage of that in the first half, passing well, using tactics from training and playing as a team. In the 1st half we scored 6 goals, the scorers were Theo with 2, Isaac with 2, Justin and Kieron. The 2nd half we did not play as well (Passing/positioning wise), but we did score another 8 goals, the scorers were Theo, completing his hat-trick with another 3 goals, Marcus coming on and scoring 3, Justin and Nikoy. In the 2nd half Steve took a player off to make it more fair. 10 minutes into the 2nd half and we started losing shape and playing very messy, just aiming for goals. 10 minutes before the final whistle we decided to play possession and to not score anymore, we gathered our shape a bit and started playing nice passes and good football. So the match overall was ok, had some good and bad moments with our performance, yes we did win but I think Steve and I want to see some more thought going into the game and start playing as we train them. The match had only one Injury with number 3 from Rock Lane getting a Nose Bleed. Apart from that both teams were very respectful and sportsmanship was very nice to see, Rock Lane are a very nice bunch of players. I would give the man of the match to Justin as he played outstanding in CM (Central Midfield), which is not where he usually plays as he is a Left/Right Mid but Steve and I loved the way he played there.

Match report from Mario (Assistant Manager)

Civil Servants spoil all the fun

A mixed start to the day was a good forerunner for the game itself.

On the plus side, Milo was on time for his pick up and Chaz and Jonny arrived EARLY. Which suggests Sam might be the cause of their normal lateness! On the other hand Willgo and Clowesy were 25 minutes but again looking for positives they did visit three SAL grounds. Having arrived at Chiswick station in plenty of time they first went to Poly, wrong, then they went to IBIS, wrong, and finally they arrived with us at Civil Service.

On a big pitch we kicked off up a slight slope and into the wind. We settled well but couldn’t maintain possession or get in behind their back four enough. This wasn’t helped by Vanny going off after less than 10 minutes with a pulled hamstring. It’s amazing what missing training can do to your fitness levels.

Civil Service started to get some joy down their right, with Kearnsey being given an uncharacteristicly tough time by their winger, and one strong run led to a penalty as Kearnsey pulled him back in the area. He did go down easily mind. After last week’s heroics a penalty isn’t as bad as it looks these days, and so it proved. An unconvincing penalty was well saved by Siri, low down to his left.

This should have galvanised us but it didn’t and the half continued in much the same vein. We defended solidly but couldn’t make the ball stick up top, whilst the midfield was bypassed. 0-0 at half time and not much for Browner to be happy about.

We were much better at the start of the second half but still got caught up in little battles, that suited their strong combatitive style of play, and the game soon drifted into the scrappy affair it had been in the first. The introduction of Browner and James Laughton, with 20 minutes to go, gave us a bit more energy in midfield and creativity out wide and this combination almost brought us a goal as James crossed but their keeper just got in front of Browner to gather theball.

Just as it looked like drifting to a fair 0-0 Civil Service’s centre forward twisted well in the box and drilled a good cross onto the head of the advancing right winger. 85 minutes 1-0 and it looked like our hard work would be to no avail. But then, Willgo was played in down the right, the keeper came out, Willgo lifted the ball over him and towards goal only for the Civil Service centre back to punch it off the line. Penalty and a red card.

With a minute to go could our come from behind luck be in again. With Woody on the penalty it certainly felt good but alas this time he changed his mind mid run and put his kick over the bar. This was virtually the last kick of the game and we lost 1-0.

This was a good test for a new look team and one we need to learn from. We got muscled out of it most of the game and were a bit naive with fouls for and against.

MOTM: Charlie Hockless (Siri was solid again and Chaz further enhanced his reputation)

DOTD: Woody (it wasn’t close)

Line up: Siri, Clowsey, Chaz, Clappers, Kearnsey, Will Low, Woody, Willgo, Vanny (Milo 8, James Laughton 71), Charlie, Jonny (Browner 65)

OLD BLUES 4

MERTON FC 2

I’m not sure if you’ve heard the news. It seems that last week some kind of virus swept across the South London area, causing men everywhere to suddenly become under-the-thumb and unavailable to play football on a Saturday. Please send get well cards, flowers and your best wishes to 6s stalwarts Kev, Chappell, Ty, Matt, Ram, Pete, Dave, Paul and Swanny. Get well soon boys!

Luckily, with Merton bursting at the seams with players this season, a massively depleted squad was filled out with some new faces. In came George, Callum and Trey, injecting pace into the squad and bringing the side’s total age down by about 400 years.

With the normal management team away Dan P and Beanz became the new gaffer and captain, and were given the difficult duty of breaking the team selection to the boys. With such holes in the starting eleven to fill, some players were making their Merton debuts and some players had to fill unfamiliar positions (sorry Scott).

Despite being a team of strangers it was surprisingly bright start by Merton, generally dominating 1^st half proceedings. On a massive Old Blues pitch Merton found space to play the ball around. Playing out from the back and finding space on the wings, Merton created chance after chance, but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor conversion meant that the opposition held in there.

On one particular spell of possession a cross managed to miss everyone, except the Old Blues full back who managed to start a quick break up the pitch, and all of a sudden we found ourselves 1-0 down against the run of play. Heartbreaking.

Changes needed to be made at half time to keep legs fresh and the new management team stressed that we had been unlucky, and if we kept playing the same way we’d quickly be back in the match. Cue Old Blues getting a second goal about a minute after the restart. A speculative 30 yard shot found stand in keeper Mike off his line.

Heads began to drop and we lost our way for 30 minutes of the 2nd half, struggling to get hold of the ball and to reproduce the positive football of the first half. Old Blues, on the other hand, grew more and more confident With so many defenders in the match squad, and with the new young lads playing really well up top, substitutions needed to happen at the back. This lead to some confusion, which Old Blues exploited with a long ball game, and soon found themselves up to a 4-0 lead.

At this point, playing only for pride, Merton began to find their feet again. We kept possession better, moved the ball quicker and began to find space behind the Old Blues defence. George, Callum and Trey showed no fear for such young lads and gave an experienced Old Blues defence horrible trouble.

With the game seemingly dead, Merton found themselves with an innocuous looking free kick from 30 yards. George did brilliantly to hit a venomous shot that beat the wall and the keeper. 4-1.

Merton kept playing and we were making incisive breaks into the Old Blues box. Again George found himself in possession, and with a tired looking Old Blues defence in front of him had a go. Cutting in from the left he beat one, he beat two, he beat three, he beat… well I lost count really, I was bloody knackered. 4-2.

The game was nearly over but we were still going for it. If we were only chasing one more we might have had a chance, but 4-2 was surely too big an ask, wasn’t it? Chasing the game, with George on a hattrick and stuck out on the wing, there was really only one decision acting manager Dan P could make… Yep, take George off for the last 5 minutes. Lets got let him get too big for his boots.

The chase was too big of an ask. If how much everyone was knackered at the end is any indication, it was a very good effort. Despite the result there are lots of positives to take. Chris and Adam put in a massive shift in the centre of midfield, Josh was a revelation at left back (sorry Kev), and the youngsters have a very bright future at Merton.

TEAM: Mike, Josh, Beanz, Dan P, Scott, George, Chris, Adam, Callum, Trey, Malcolm.

SUBS: Dan, George, Martin.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Any other day a few names could’ve been here, but for two brilliant debut goals I have to give it to George.

DICK OF THE DAY: All is forgiven Scott. You moody bastard.

Merton reserves 2 – 3 (aet) South Bank reserves

A late (handball-assisted) goal deep in extra time handed Merton their second cruel cup defeat in 3 weeks.

Lining up in a 433, Merton were determined to try and play high up the pitch and press the opposition. This approach yielded some early dividends as Merton won the ball in the opposition half and Darcy set Dan running into the box. A last ditch tackle from a covering defender relieved the danger at the cost of a corner, although the South Bank keeper ended up being clattered by Dan and needed some treatment.

However, on a big pitch and against an opposition side showing plenty of commitment to passing their way out from the back to a pair of tricky wingers, the pressing game proved more easily said than done as the half progressed as South Bank consistently fed the ball wide and tried to overload the Merton fullbacks Connor and Gabs.

This approach brought the reward of the opening goal – albeit with the aid of a somewhat controversial decision. South Bank worked the ball down the right wing, bypassing first Rayner and Connor by taking the ball off the pitch and then beating the covering Pearcey. Ignoring the appeals for a throw in the winger picked out his player in a mostly empty box (with half the defence bypassed on the touchline) and their striker provided a classy finish, angling a header into the far corner from 7 or 8 yards. 1-0.

Rather than spur Merton into action, the goal instead served to bring the visitors more confidence and it was South Bank that began to dominate territory and force Merton back. It was almost two from another cross, but keeper Dan did brilliantly to palm a header on to the frame of the goal. Lofty then made a change to bring on Elz for Gabs, with the ever versatile Joe Grew moving to rb from a wide forward position.

As South Bank tried to force a second, Merton responded with a brilliantly worked goal of their own on the counter. A South Bank cross was cleared and fed into Dan just inside his own half. Dan laid it back to Joe, before taking the return pass and bamboozling (think 60% skill/40% spawn) his marker with some quick reactions and playing the ball inside to Andy. The ball was quickly worked across the pitch and Rayner arrived on the overlap from the opposite wing, striding into the box to slot inside the keeper. A lovely calm finish to cap a great team goal. 1-1.

Merton had a couple of half chances to take the lead as the game became more even – most notably a brilliant improvised volley from Darcy on the edge of the box that clipped the bar. However, it was the visitors who restored their lead just before half time. Another counter and cross saw cookie manage only to head clear to the edge of the box, and the attacking midfielder had time and space to pass cooly into the corner. 2-1.

The second half was a less open affair as Merton tightened up and the visitors perhaps sat a little on their lead. Despite some great trickery from elz on occasion down the left, in truth not much happened until the closing quarter of the game as Merton slowly but surely upped the intensity and forced south bank deeper and deeper. A series of free kicks and corners saw a few scrambled clearances and some potshots from distance. Lofty made the call to go to 442 with Pearcey joining Dan up top as Merton piled on the pressure.

Then, with just 5 minutes remaining, the breakthrough came. Elz and Dan chased a clearance down and pressurised the nervy oppo defence. Elz blocked the initial attempt at a clearance and Dan the next, and a calamitous collision saw Elz emerge with the ball on the edge of the box and feed in Rayner. Once again he slipped the ball near post on the angle, megging the keeper to boot. 2-2, and with 5 minutes to go Merton believed they could go on and win it.

With only one team now in the game, South Bank fended off a string of attacks, most notably gabs having a long distance and goal bound strike blocked. Extra time ensued and the next 15 minutes were more of the same as Merton camped in the opposition half.