Month: March 2019

Esher Yellows U10s vs Merton U10s
Sunday 10^th March 2019

This was an early kick off in Thames Ditton with a mild and sunny morning.  The need for winter wrap-up came from strong winds which cut through all who ventured out.  As the parents sheltered next to the boundary fence the boys kicked off.

Today Harry was missing due to his commitments to charity fund raising for the Marsden march and Bobby stepped in.

Merton were kicking into the wind for the first half and struggled to reproduce their best form.  Playing 1 at the back in Olly the wide players needed to drop back when needed and be more mobile than usual.  Olly was working as hard as ever and marshalling the team from the back. 

Somehow they struggled to get going and Esher grabbed 2 quick goals to go 2-0 up.  They were also missing chances with some wild shooting which helped keep Merton in the match.  Suddenly
Merton broke and Percy, Joe and Rio passed the ball forwards right through the middle of the pitch and Rio finished with aplomb to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

This was a short respite as Esher continued to create chances and took their next after 20 minutes to make it 3-1.  The boys didn’t get themselves down and from the next corner the ball was floated
over for Louis to volley home from close range for 3-2.

The ref blew for half time and Neal and Roy got the boys together for their customary coaching talk.

The second half started and Merton were now kicking with the wind behind them and it was Esher who were struggling to clear their lines.  Nonetheless they got the next goal as Merton were caught short at the back and it was now 4-2 to the home side.

Rio was having a good game and he was played through again mid-way through the second half and took his chance again to make it 4-3.  Merton now had some momentum and the next couple of opportunities were missed.  Bobby, Louis, Farris, Rio and Percy all had chances but none found the back of the net.

Then Percy took a pot shot from outside the box and the keeper fell on the ball and much to the consternation of the home team the ref blew for the goal as he adjudged the ball to have crossed the line.  4-4 and it was all to play for in the last few minutes.

Sadly for Merton there was to be a winner and not for them.  Esher broke again 2 minutes from the end and Merton could not get the block in and 5-4 it went.

Merton had another chance to level through Percy but the keeper blocked it and sent the ball out as the final whistle blew.

Another one that got away and some learning for the boys from this narrow loss.

Rio earned a deserved man of the match award for his all-round attitude, directness and goal scoring.

Match Report

Old Sal’s Rev v Merton 6s

 

A month without a game for the 6s and missing a few of the regulars as we welcome OSR back to the hood to host their home game. With a 2oc ko and only 9 players turning up for the oppo, game gets delayed till 2:15. The 6s however, having the likes of Neal D, Dennis Z, Roma B available, for selection, helps the cause against a very good footballing team in Old Sal’s Reserves

Finally getting the game on the way, the 6s start like a team that haven’t played in a while, long balls punted up front, no calling or tracking of runners, no surprise that OSR take the lead early on, with some slick passing, down the wing and into the box, it was like a training game as MQ is exposed to a 1v1 at close quarters, with the ball ending up in the net 1-0

Not learning from the mistakes, OSR almost double the lead on several occasions, only for some last ditch tackling and woeful finishing, the score remains 1-0. The 6s start to get themselves into the game. Some meek and tame attacks result in a few corners, James’s deliveries from the right creates chances, but no one can convert and OSR clear their lines

Although getting on top, its OSR who double the lead against the run of play. Breaking away, and playing the neat short passes, it’s a simple one/two into the box, resulting in a low cross being put into an empty net as MQ tried to close the gap down. 2-0

Merton turn it up a notch, the tackles are going in thick, OSR are now able to slow play down with each foul awarded, the casual approach is there own undoing as the centre backs take to many touches and are robbed by the quick thinking Lewis, whose first shot is saved by the keeper, but the rebound hits him on the shin and rolls into an empty net, a bit of luck, but its welcome 2-1. As the game approaches half time, the 6s are more on top and look to grab the equaliser with only the odd half chance, however its 2-1 at the break

Some changes to be made, Ryan B for Andrew D, Dennis for Steve H and Chapple for Iain, the 6s start the half with a little more zip in the game. Trying to get the ball down and play through the midfield brings a couple of chances, Lewis and DG both being denied by the keeper

OSR still threaten to extend the lead, and one again its more the fact the shots are off target that keeps the score at 2-1. With MQ doing more miles retrieving the ball from each shot, it takes Tom to place the kick and rush the pass while MQ is still behind the goal. With 60 yards of open spaced and 7 white tops to hit… he somehow manages to pass to the only red top on the edge of the area! Surprised is an understatement as he controls the ball and takes a touch or two, looking unsure that play is continuing, and rolls the ball in for 3-1!! The goal is greeted by stunned silence from the 6s, and laughter from OSR, as no one can quite believe what has happened..!

A quick change see Lewis go off with a calf strain and Dennis back on up front

So, the good work at the start of the half is undone, nevertheless, the 6s carry on pressing and soon rewarded for some good play. DG winning the ball and passing out wide to James, who hits the by-line and once again whips in a cross that’s sees Dennis at the back stick rise above the centre backs and hammer a header home from 6 yards, 3-2

Tails up, but still second best to some of the football being played by OSR, the 6s have to dig in deep against the quick counter attack and the fast, damaging passing

A good passage of play by the 6s, Neal putting a shift in, wins the ball, Steve H to DG who puts James out wide to run at the left back, the coming together sees the ball go out for a goal kick. OSR keeper places the ball but passes straight to James. James, bemused by the pass looks back and shrugs.. The Ref waves play on and James rounds the stationary keeper and slots home. OSR protest, saying the keeper thought it was a corner, but the ref, who at one point seemed to agree, couldn’t change the fact that it was still a goal, the protest resulted in a sin bin and a few sulky faces

So, with a comical second half coming to a close, both teams have a chance to nick the winner in the ‘ding-dong’ closing seconds, but it finishes 3-3. A bit harsh on the home team, but the 6s made their own luck and for once, got a reward. Next week, a home game that is in fact a home a game and not an away game played at home!

Bank of England come to the hood, the last outing was a hard fought 2-2 draw, with the 6s coming back from 2-0 down in the last 10 minutes. Hopefully, we can carry some of today’s luck over to next week

 

MOTM: James, made one, bought one and run all day. But some mention to Neal D, had a great game in the middle as well as Lewis, who run himself into the ground for an hour, chasing everything and making his chances.  

DOTD: An easy one this week… Tom J..

 

Team: MQ, Ryan B, Iain E, Tom J, Steve B, Dennis Z, Roma B, Neal D, James E, Lewis R, DG ©

Mark C, Steve H, Andrew D

Merton Under 10s vs Woking Cougar Colts FC

 

3^rd March 2019 – Under 10s report

As kick off approached, it was wet but not raining at the Joseph Hood Rec on Sunday morning. Merton were to play on their alternative pitch close to the paddling pool at the top of the Recreation Ground.  Following an enforced lay off due to Half Term, would Merton be able to maintain their momentum? Merton’s opponents were Woking Cougar Colts who arrived with seating, a Gazebo and vocal support.

The first half commenced with Merton playing left to right.

During the first couple of minutes both sides turned the ball over a few times.

Merton started to take control and seize the initiative. Defensively they were solid because of good work from Harry, Ollie, Joe and Max.

After 3 mins, following good approach work, Rio shot just wide of the Cougars’ goal.

1 minute later, Faris had a shot that was also close.

After 6 minutes, Merton had the first corner of the match.

Merton’s second corner came just one minute later.

8 minutes into the first half, a goalkeeping error was pounced upon by Louis who slotted home from close range.

1 nil to Merton

Merton were now very comfortable and controlling possession. Having said that, Woking did have a goal disallowed in the 10^th minute because the referee had blown for a free kick before the ‘goal’ has been scored.  

After 12 minutes, Faris’ had a shot that went just wide.

Good link up play between Faris and Rio ended with Rio shooting to the bottom left of the Cougars’ goal.

2 nil to Merton

Merton seemed to be able to create goal chances at will; they certainly seemed in control and yet it was Woking who scored next.

Just before half time and against the run of play, Woking scored to keep themselves in the match.

2-1 Merton

The second half was a completely different story. Unfortunately, Merton lost the ball in dangerous areas on many occasions and Woking were able to take advantage.

9 minutes after the restart and the Cougars were level.  

2 minutes later, after a run and shot they were 3-2 up.

Merton needed to fight back to stay in the game and they did briefly. After 13 minutes, Maxwell fired a shot that took a slight deflection before reaching the Woking net.

3 all.

It proved to be only a moment’s respite because the Cougars capitalised on more turnovers and were soon 4-3 up and then 5-3 up. They looked delighted with their morning’s work, as did their supporters.

In truth, it was a game that Merton should have won comfortably but ended up losing. This is development football and there will be ample opportunities for our boys in yellow to dust themselves off and return to winning ways.

Harry and Louis were jointly awarded Man of the Match.

Shout out to Percy, David and Bobby who were all unable to play.