Month: April 2019

Merton 6XIv Bank of England5XI

 

The clocks have gone forward and spring has spring, unfortunately they have forgot to tell the weather as arriving at the Hood it looked bleak with one pitch up, heavy cloud cover a cold wind and a hint of rain.

 

The team start to assembly being a combination of 3s, 5s, & 6s all in good sprites with the usually pre-match banter. A few players debating if they will last the full 90 Mins because of injury and/or lack of fitness however this was too much of an issue with 14 players, but wait Tom Johnson messaged in at 1.30 he was going to making it.

 

Out on the pitch we when through a full warm route to test the various aches ad pains with everybody declaring themselves ok to start. Which we did well and in an attacking mode with the usually 4-3-3 formation, with James & Lewis wide & Peter O in the middle. We had the B of E on the back foot and create many chances unfortunately without finishing any of them until Lofty hit a shot from 30 yards with plenty of top side so that hit the cross bouncy down & up a couple of time before crossing the line.

 

At this point B of E finally woke up and start to get through our midfield and they final won a corner, which we initially cleared but didn’t shut down the player 30 yards out who hit cleaned into the top right corner of the net, B of E have a video as proof as even they could believe that there player could hit a shot that well.

 

The rest of the half we created more chance which we turned into half chance with Pete & James being wayward with their shooting whilst the B of E were limited to long range efforts that generally when wide.

 

In the 2^nd things didn’t change much although B of E did come back into the game however their goalkeeper was the busier but we couldn’t score. Eventually the B of E managed to pull our defence out of shape and they deliver an inch prefer cross for the centre forward to volley home from 8 yards. There 3^rd came with 15 minutes left a free kick from 30 yards that deflected off Lewis’s shoulder over Martin.

 

The last 15 minutes was spent in the Bank’s half but we couldn’t score. It was a disappointing result but we did keep trying.

 

Last Week’s MOM Martin Quinlan was back in his regular position for this season Goalie and had a quiet and cold afternoon for his 900^th game for Merton having one shot to save but had no chance with the 3 Goals. In fact, spent a lot of the last 15 mIns on the half way line. In 900 games the B of E have been the most regularly Martin has played against. Onwards to 1000 games.

 

The Central defensive of Neil & Kevin a solid games with Neal being our start player. As for the DOD there were several candidates James & Peter for missing many good chances, Ryan with his powerful throw ins which force Lewis off the pitch and Luke to have a poor first touch when he came on and several players for getting frustrated and need speaking to the by the referee. James offer his performance for DOD but by a split decision it when to Tom for not turning up.

 

The most stupid moment was when the B of E very large Centre handled the ball with 5 mins left. He wasn’t even booked!

 

The Team

 

Martin Q, Kevin L, Matt H., James E., Lewis R., Aaron A., Chris O., Simon W (Lofty), Ryan B., Pete O-A., Neil D., Subs Luke N., Marcus P.

 

MoM – Neil Davison

DoD – Tom Johnson

Match Report

Civil Service 8s v Merton 6s

Spring has sprung, away to Civ 8 in sunny Chiswick, only a 2-hour journey through all the road works, still could be worse… after all the rain at the hood last week and witnessing 3 ducks swimming on pitch one, it’s nice to get out and about

Testing week to get the players out, going from 18 to 9 with in a day, and then a frantic ring round to get cover after one particular player though it would be funny to make themselves available even though they were not even on the same continent !! but more on that later ..

A rare outing for MQ at left back as we get a cameo from Lenners between the sticks, Steve B at left back with Haydn and Tom centre, Midfield of Niall, Phil and Dobby with the usual 3 of DG, Lewis and James up front.. Joe making a late appearance starts on the bench

Game starts with the 6s on the front foot, looking fresh after 3 weeks without a game, the passing is a bit erratic but still ahead of the C8 who seem to slow out the blocks and making a few unforced errors. Steve B after a few moments of madness on the ball (a good to many ‘HAVE IT!’ moments) starts to compose himself and settles the back line and begins to finally play out form the back. A good passage of play between the back 4 and midfield, which could have been more than 15/20 uninterrupted passes, unfortunate breaks down, but it’s a good sign and something that’s been requested all season (and they wait till the final few games to show their stuff!!)

Well on top and only some poor finishing keeps the score at 0-0, 6s finally yields a bit of luck, Niall once again a wizard with the left foot, sets James off down the wing and into the box for the shot, beats the keeper but is blocked, DG following up with a 50/50 that sees the ball cleared by the keeper, onto DG and looks to be going out for a throw, MQ chases down the loose ball and has time to roll a yard or two forward and without doubt, sees the keeper still struggling to get back, launches a shot back in the mix from all of 40 yards, the keeper trying his best to reach but is still a good foot or so short as the ball sails over the out stretched arm, even evades the 2 centre backs who also try to make a clearance just as the ball dips under the ball and in the goal for 0-1 lead. MQ is already standing with both arms in the air and is rightly mobbed by everyone of the 6s, to congratulate him on his first goal since his 84^th birthday 10 years or so ago!

Not much more to report first half, think everyone was to ecstatic for Mr Merton himself!!

2^nd half, MQ is replaced for Joe D as we can’t risk the old boy getting a 2^nd, god knows what all the excitement would do to his heart, as well as muted claim to a starting spot up front!! (worried look over shoulder form el’cappo there!!)

Bit slower out the blocks but still on top, however, C8 are more organised and unluckily to go 2 behind. Steve B puts in a corner, straight on the money, which sees a mass scrabble between C8 players to clear (6s I think was quite amused to the thrashing around to clear the ball and stood and watched!) the first clearance hits the back of a C8 player that sees the ball roll towards the line, keeper try’s to claim it, only for the centre back to ‘hoof one clear’, again hitting the back of a c8 player, onto the shin of the left back and then the knee of the right back (ok, might have made some of this up, but its more or less right!!).. and roll over the line for 0-2 and coasting…

Attention now turns to Lenners, after a fantastic first half (forgot to mention the bit about Lee jumping around like a salmon and catching the ball without any pressure around him… BUT on landing belly first, sees the ball slips from his mitts and luckily to Haydn to clear!) .. being slightly off his line by 20 yards or so, for most of the 2^nd half, it was only a matter of time before someone chances the lob and one C8 player does, from inside the centre circle, still… Lee looked to have the ground covered as he back peddled, but was unfortunate not to be the required 6ft 8inches tall to tip the chance over the crossbar… and once again lays on the floor like a fish… out of water! 1-2

With chances still coming thick and fast, its bad luck and good defending that keeps the 6s from going ahead, tiredness creeping in on both teams and some good football on show. The counter attacks are scooped up by Tom and Haydn and it looks like an away win is on the cards.

A counter attack by C8 down the right sees the ball cut in and still 25/30 yards out, C8 take a first time toe punt which goes like a rocket, Lenners, although is the right position this time, cant do much about it as the ball manages to go between the out stretched fingers and the underside of the bar to bring the game level 2-2.

The 6s let a game slip and was cruising, and with the remaining 10 minutes or so, can’t convert any more chances, the whistle blows just as a final attack was getting in the 18-yard box, but in the end, its 2 points dropped as opposed to a point gained

Nice day out, and our final away game of the season sees us with only 2 losses on the road, a far better improvement on last year. We now have a further week off before we welcome B0E to the hood, weather and ducks permitting

MOTM: MQ… who else after that goal

DOTD: Close call on Lenners the fish, but Steve H for dicking around with availability late in the week and causing a headache trying to get cover

Merton Under 10s vs Old Isleworthians Youth Whites

 

31^st March 2019 – Under 10s report

 

It was a cold Sunday morning at Joseph Hood Rec and this was the last game of the season. Spring has officially arrived but the biting wind reminded us that Winter was not finished with us yet. As the boys warmed up with their customary pre-match Rondo, parents on the side-lines simply shivered. Personally, I could have done with a hipflask but I know that is frowned upon at 9.30 in the morning.

 

Today’s opponents, were Old Isleworthians Youth who arrived in ones and twos; at one point it looked as if they would struggle to make up their numbers. They did manage to get a full team out.  

 

The first half commenced with Merton playing left to right on the back up pitch.

 

During the first few minutes, Merton played with good energy levels and work rate. They made the better start and were in the ascendancy. Good pressure from them meant that they were creating more clear-cut chances; there was also some lovely one touch football on display.

 

With 15 minutes gone, Dave went on a run, rounded two defenders and slotted in off the right-hand post.

 

One nil to Merton!    

 

Old Isleworthians were determined to react positively to conceding and played themselves more into the game. Merton were turning the ball over and Old Isleworthians were growing in confidence.

 

Twenty minutes played, Merton failed to clear after Old Isleworthians’ first corner. When the ball broke loose, it was lashed into the bottom left of Max’s goal.

 

1 all. Game on!

 

Max was called upon to make a couple of good saves to keep Merton on level terms.

 

Twenty- three minutes gone, great footwork from Faris, then a run and shot that hit the post. Close! 

 

After 24 minutes, following their second corner, Old Isleworthians scored with a good shot to the top left of Max’s goal.

 

1-2.

 

Moments later the referee blew for half time.

 

 

The second half started with Merton kicking right to left.

 

Merton put their opponents under pressure as they went in search of the equaliser. 

 

7 minutes played, after a shot from Dave is parried, Percy slots home from close range.

 

2 all

 

Merton had worked hard to get back on level terms and their efforts had been rewarded. The game became more open and both sides created chances. It seemed as if the next goal would be decisive.

 

When the next goal came, after 19 minutes, it followed the best passing move of the game. A succession of crisp first-time passes by Merton ended with Louis assisting Maxwell who shot low to the bottom left corner of the Old Isleworthians’ goal. It went in.

 

What a great team goal! 

 

3-2 to Merton!

 

Old Isleworthians were not finished yet, they created more chances. Excellent defensive work from Harry, Ollie, Joe, Rio, Dave and Max kept them out.

 

Would Merton be able to hold on for the win?

 

Yes, was the answer. In the end, the win appeared comfortable because of what happened just before full-time.

 

With 24 minutes played, Louis and Maxwell exchanged passes on the left-hand side of Old Isleworthians’ penalty area. Maxwell looked ready to return the ball to Louis but instead he curled a shot into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. It went in.

 

4-2 to Merton

 

Moments later the referee blew for full time.

A very good win to end the season. Well done boys!

 

Maxwell was awarded Man of The Match.

 

After the match, the team said goodbye to Joe and wished him well for next season.

 

 

Special shout-out to Bobby who was unable to play today.

 

 

Author: Mike Pitt

Bedfont Eagles U10s vs Merton U10s

It was a warm and sunny spring morning which greeted the Merton boys on their final away day trip of the 2018/19 season.

The match kicked off and Merton were straight on the front foot leading to David having two shots at goal in quick succession.  With Chell watching on he looked set for another string performance. 

 

After 8 mins Merton were rewarded with the opening goal after a lovely two touch passing move through half of the side.  Louis crossed for Rio to slide in and score.

This was soon followed by a nice run from Dave but his cross was cleared. 

This didn’t discourage him and he followed up by sending over a great cross which was brilliantly headed in by Percy to make it 2-0 after 11mins.

The boys were into their stride now and Joe was getting well in to the game.  Some good play between Dave, Louis and Rio led to another shot and another good save from the Bedfont keeper who looked very solid despite the goals.

Suddenly Merton made an inexplicable mix up at the back and let an easy chance go in for 2-1.  Then, as if that wasn’t disappointing enough, bam: another quick Bedfont attack and 2-2 after some good passing.

Back on level terms the boys needed to redouble their efforts.  But Bedfont had the next chance and it took a sprint from Max in goal to get back just in time to save a shot on the line. 

Some more good play and shots from Merton came and the Bedfont keeper was equal to much of it with strong saves. He was starting to look like one of the best keepers we have seen this season. 

Bedfont broke again and Dave slid in and the ref awarded a free kick. Bedfont strung some passes together from this and their striker somehow squeezed the ball in under Max for 3-2.  Shocked!

Half time blew and it was 3-2 down we went in.

 

The second half kicked off and Merton were on the front foot again with some good play. Suddenly Max made a superb save after dashing out to meet a Bedfont break.  Then the ball broke to left and Farris put Percy through for a superb finish and 3-3.  Percy was having one of his best games today. 

He won the ball again on the right and played across the pitch to Louis who passed to Farris resulting in a shot and save. 

Another good move followed with Joe shooting and the keeper coping out to save. He really was looking for a man of the match performance.  Bobby was playing deeper than usual for much of the match but still found himself involved in many moves and using his strength and control to break up play. 

Next Merton broke through and Rio was brought down for a penalty on the edge of the box. He took it himself and it was now 3-4 to Merton.

Merton continued to miss lots of chances and the Bedfont keeper continued to make good saves.  Olly was starting lots of moves from the back and playing a one-two where there was an opening.  Nice to see training being taken into the match. 

The superb Bedfont keeper now went off injured after an innocuous challenge at the end of his 5-star performance.  This took 3 mins of delay but the ref found a whole lot more time extending the game well after the requisite 25 min half.

This game Bedfont the opportunity to draw level but in the end it was Merton who extended their lead as Rio played in Percy who took his hat trick under the keeper for 5-3 with another cool finish.  What a game he had played. 

 

The final whistle blew and Percy was awarded man of the match for Merton.  The boys seemed to have learned from their previous surprise defeats in games where the opposition took advantage of lapses and Merton did not convert chances.  This was a mature and committed win.

 

Well done to all!