Author: Matt Haswell

NAME: Adam Ahmad Edwards

TEAM: Merton 6s/7s

POSITION: CM/RM

BIRTH DATE: 22/06/1993

BIRTH PLACE: Roehampton

PREVIOUS CLUBS: N/A

1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?

I work as a Research Assistant at UCL Respiratory. We are currently working on a clinical trial for a treatment for some forms of Lung Cancer. It sound more fancy than it is as I am pretty much lab bitch.

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?

Me and my friend Josh play 5-a-side with some of our other friends every Tuesday at Rock Lane in Barnes, we wanted to start also playing 11-a-side and so googled teams that were close to each of us. Merton looked the most professional; some teams just having a number posted!

3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?

Probably last week playing against the 6s in a close fought derby. It was great to come up against familiar faces and have a good game.

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?

Arsenal. My favorite team and also the style of play is amazing and would be great to play in.

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Eat porridge on game day, even though I really can’t stand it.

6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.

To help the team in any way, and also to keep playing well and to try and start scoring some goals!

RAPID FIRE:

Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Tough as a lot of players have played well. But probably Tom, playing like Bonucci by spraying the ball about from centre back.
In the Prem, annoyingly I think Costa.

Childhood Team: Wimbledon

Favourite team in the UK: Arsenal/AFC Wimbledon

Favourite team outside the UK: Borussia Dortmund

Childhood Hero: Its between Josh K-H and my Asian grandmother. But the Gma shades it, a tough lady who worked hard for the family.

Favourite Food: Grandmas chicken curry with Paratha

Favourite Drink: KA Karibbean Kola

Favourite Band: Tough as it changes every week, but right now its Queens Of The Stone Age/Danny Brown

NAME: Neal Davison

TEAM: 3s

POSITION: I literally played every position on the pitch for Merton FC however my preference is holding midfield

BIRTH DATE: 20^th December 1979

BIRTH PLACE: London, Tooting

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Merton, Battersea Old Firm, Peter Jones, Post Office and Battersea Ironside

1. Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I am a health club General Manager currently working for Fitness First. Generally I am young at heart and pretty sarcastic.

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
I was introduced to the club in 1997 by a friend Gavin Frost and played a 5 seasons before leaving to play with friends from school. I returned late 2014 to see out my career.

3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Without a doubt winning Club player of the year last season, winning the league with the 2s back in 1998/99 as a close second.

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Chelsea. Been a supporter of Chelsea all my life.(before the money)

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I play the 1^st half with shirt tucked in and 2^nd half untucked.

6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
To avoid relegation with the 3s and help out any other teams where needed.

RAPID FIRE:

Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): I have been really impressed by Glenn Pitmann at Merton and of course Diego Costa at Chelsea.

Childhood Team: Chelsea

Favourite team in the UK: Chelsea

Favourite team outside the UK: don’t really have one but enjoy watching Barca and Madrid.

Childhood Hero: Dennis Wise

Favourite Food: Steak and Chips

Favourite Drink: Coke and Lager

Favourite Band: Don’t really have a band but enjoy drum and bass music

NAME: Ivan Gladkow “another day, another injury”!

TEAM: 1st

POSITION: Forward

BIRTH DATE: 15/10/81

BIRTH PLACE: Buckinghamshire

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

-Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire

-Landrecies, Lille, France

-Lancaster University

1.    Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?

Client Relationship Director……………Have been described as “The Main Man” 🙂

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?

BBF Woody (Best mate from Uni) was playing at Merton and told me to come and play at Merton, the rest is history.

3.    What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?

Promotion to top division and then cup final, that memorable season!

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
I don’t follow one team so any of the top 4.

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

Same meal routine, toilet routine, same accessories (hair band and shin pads, shirt (Number 7) etc)

6. Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.

Getting promoted again giving the top division another go and then retiring!

RAPID FIRE:

Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Charlie Hockless thus far! He has become coordinated over the summer break and he has definitely been practicing in his back garden.

Childhood Team: N/A

Favorite team in the UK: N/A

Favorite team outside the UK: N/A

Childhood Hero: Jean Claude Van Damme

Favorite Food: Steak

Favourite Drink: Jaeger bomb or a Predator

Favourite Band: One Direction! Obvs

It gives me a great sense of satisfaction writing this report about the eagerly awaited Merton derby, the first competitive game between two Merton teams in many a year! 

On a personal note and knowing of all the struggles in previous years, it’s great to finally see competitive Merton 6’s and 7’s getting full squads out week in week out and future is looking bright! 

Anyway onto the game and the sixes were missing a few regulars in Tyron (sunning himself in Mexico), Pete and George so in came Merton legend Spense for a run out.  The sevens were pretty much unchanged from recent weeks and are starting to form a very competitive squad for themselves.

The game was played on a heavy pitch at the hood and the first 15 minutes you could tell nobody had played competitive football for a few weeks as passes went astray and touches were heavy.  It then turned out to be a very even affair with both teams coming close, firstly a great save from Gubby denied Callum for the sixes and then some neat play by the sevens opened up the defence and Malcolm missed a great chance.

The match was still a bit scrappy and as was the case with two teams who knew each others strengths and weaknesses, this was to be expected.  It was Merton 7 who seized the initiative with good work down the left and a squared ball (think it was Scott) across the box was slotted in by Dobson. 1-0 to the sevens!  Was there a shock on the cards with the Merton lower team taking the lead against there higher counterparts!  The gaffer of the 6’s was not pleased and with the half coming to an end words were exchanged within the squad, actually it was just Chris moaning, but still words were exchanged!  Half time came and a few changes were made by the sixes in a bid to freshen things up!

The sevens half time talk must of consisted of keeping things tight for the first 10 minutes, but unfortunately for them, this only lasted 1 minute as straight form the re-start the sixes equalised! Some great work from Callum saw him take a shot (which was going wide) and take a massive deflection into the bottom corner of the net and the score was 1-1!

Again the same pattern of play was similar to the first half, but the better chances were starting to fall to the sixes.  Dan P was particularly guilty of missing a sitter!

As the half wore on the sevens looked slightly more tired and with the extra sub on the sixes side this began to tell.  A few players from sevens began to pick up knocks with Dan and Billy in particular limping around, it was then when the sixes struck again.  After the ref finally found his whistle, a freekick was awarded to the sixes and with presence of mind a quick freekick from Chappell released George who broke free and squared the ball for Trey to neatly slot the ball in the net. 2-1 sixes!

As the game was entering the latter stages the sixes had further chances to put the game to bed, but whilst it remained tight the sevens were always in the game and towards the end caused numerous problems for the sixes defence.  Scott was causing problems with his runs and Adam on the wing was seeing some joy.  Swanny made a great save to keep it 2-1 and with the final kick of the game Dobson volleyed wide from close range.

After the game much banter was delivered from the sixes, but they knew they were in a game and in fairness the real winner was Merton Football Club.  I personally found it difficult playing against mates on the oppo and others may have done as well as both teams weren’t at their best.

I would like to mention that Ram apparently nutmegged someone three times, but I didn’t see it so it doesn’t count. 

Also for a change the sixes skipper is writing a report without scoring or finding an assist.

Now for Man of the Match, and as no votes were cast, I will give it to the following:

Sixes: I am going to give it Paul, battled hard and produced that bit extra to make the difference.

Sevens:  A choice between Gubby and Adam, however I will give it to Gubby for keeping the sevens always in the game.

Dick of the Day Sixes: Nominations were for Chris for playing in a very very attacking midfield role and too much moaning ;o) and Dan P for a missing a sitter. But as they need to be dished about fairly, it goes to Swanny for two reasons a) for being late and b) the reason for being late was he was attending a hospital appointment to arrange an operation for his bad back (I am sure they didn’t recommend playing football after that diagnosis!)

Dick of the Day Sevens: Not my place to say, but just for Malcolm’s miss let’s say him.

Nottsborough 4s – 6

Merton 3s – 3 

2017 had arrived and with it some extremely cold and wet weather but following what was by all accounts a great occasion for the New Years Day memorial game, the weather certainly did nothing to dampen the optimism amongst the lads that the 3s could turn their season around. A string of closely contested games before the Christmas break had brought no reward and we found ourselves locked in to a relegation battle as we entered January. 

An uncharacteristically late confirmation of the squads from Lofty left everyone in suspense as the clock ticked by on Friday morning, but when they finally came in the excitement at the prospect of a strong result was only fuelled further with a strong 3s squad which, despite some notable absentees called up to the 2s, contained a returning Vin and the man mountain Mike Todt who’d earned another call up following a strong showing including a goal for the 3s earlier in the season.

Game day arrived and the news broke that the reliable Dan R’s sofa had been safely delivered and he was on course to make the game. Unfortunately however, others weren’t quite so keen to make the game and failed to show face (or notify) despite the close proximity to the Hood leaving the 3s with a bare eleven for a tough away fixture at title challengers Nottsborough.

The game kicked off with Merton in solid 4-4-1-1 shape with Fitz given license to get forward and support Denys up top. A very respectable pitch gave the team an opportunity to get our foot on the ball and play our passing game which had the positive impact of seeing Merton start the game the faster for a change, Frankie on the left and Mustard just inside him in particular were causing problems for the opposition. 

Around 5 minutes in to the game came the first incident of note. Denys’ hold up play drew a challenge around 20 yards out and saw the defender play the ball back to the opposition goalkeeper who duly picked it up. As the referee blew up for a Merton indirect free kick on the edge of the 6 yard box, Mustard and Denys’ were on the same wavelength and charged to the spot of the infringement leaving everyone else in their wake. On their arrival a quick free kick saw Denys square the ball to Mustard who duly passed the ball in to the net. Genius. Oh no, hang on, wait. In a moment I can only compare to the infamous Henry/Pires passing penalty, Mustard had inadvertently overrun the spot of the free kick (or Denys had taken too long to take the free kick, it depends who you ask) and their quick thinking had been ruined by a lack of composure on execution as the referee blew up for offside. 5 minutes in and dick of the day was surely sewn up already.

The score may have been 0-0 but the opposition were clearly rattled as Merton continued to press and surge forward with numbers almost every time we had the ball. The attacking play did leave Merton exposed on the counter attack occasionally and Dan in goal was forced in to a couple of top class saves to prevent a goal against the run of play before Merton were finally able to take the lead at around the quarter hour mark. A ball was whipped in from out wide and the Nottsborough defence’s ineptitude at dealing with the arial threat was exposed, the ball not sufficiently cleared resulting in some penalty box pinball. While Mustard and Denys engaged in a spot of mud wrestling with their respective defenders (claiming penalties) it was left to Fitz to rifle the ball home from close range, and this time the goal stood. 1-0 Boars and Fitz’s first goal for the club.

The game continued in a similar fashion for the next 15 minutes or so before a Nottsborough counter drew a cynical but necessary challenge from Dan R in the middle of goal around 20 yards out. After what seemed an age with the opposition changing goalkeeper, the referee finally allowed the kick to be taken and a low skimmer across the wet surface and around the wall left Dan in goal disappointed he hadn’t made the save. 1-1.

Unperturbed, Merton continued to play in the same fashion and posed further problems to the Nottsborough defence. By this stage however, the opposition were starting to come in to the game more and it was certainly a game with the attackers on top. 40 minutes in and Merton won a free kick on the right hand side around the half way line. Sensing an opportunity, Mike hurried forward to pose the opposition further threat in the air. Dan swung a great ball in towards the far post and although it eluded Mike who had drawn attention from the defence, Frankie was able to win the header at the back stick and loop it back across goal. What should have been a regulation catch for any normal sized goalkeeper turned out to be too tall a task for the diminutive opposition keeper at the time, who could only haplessly flap at the ball leaving Mustard the simplest of finishes from close range. 2-1 Boars. 

Disappointingly, hopes of getting in at half time with a lead were dashed almost instantly as a great individual run from an opposition midfielder yielded a goal when he cut through our midfield like a hot knife through butter, side stepped Vin and slotted home neatly in to the bottom corner from the resultant 1 on 1 with Dan. 2-2 when half time arrived.

The lads came in at half time feeling hard done by not to have a lead following what had quite frankly been the best half of football the Merton 3s had put together all season. We knew we needed to come out firing early in the second half and get a lead, as with a bare eleven the final 20 minutes were always going to be a challenge. 

Unfortunately, Nottsborough began the second half strongly, presumably buoyed by the fact they were level despite being outplayed during the first period, and after a period of early pressure and a string of corners the hosts took the lead for the first time in the game. The SAL Junior Div 2’s answer to Adebayo Akinfenwa picked the ball up in the centre of the park and bulldozed his way to the edge of the box (with Dan later quoting “I just bounced off him for their 3rd goal”) where he squared to a teammate who finished low in to the corner from around 12 yards out. 3-2 Nottsborough.

For the next 20 minutes or so Merton came back in to the game but were never able to regain the dominance shown in the first half and it was relatively even affair. Some more great stops from Dan in goal along with some resolute defending kept the Boars in it before Merton’s first real opportunity of the second half arose. Some lovely footwork from Dan picking the ball up at right back and cutting inside past two opposition players before sliding a great ball through to Fitz who’d made a great run in behind and thought he found himself through on goal. That was until the opposition’s last man savagely scythed him down on the edge of the box (think Sol Campbell’s never ending slide tackle but more man and less ball). To the dismay of every single boar, the referee failed to give the decision (perhaps not wanting to dirty the new red card he got for Christmas) and waved play on. 

From this point on the lack of substitutes and soft ground began to take its toll on Merton’s legs and before long it was 4-2 with the Nottsborough forward finding too much space on the penalty spot and drilling one in to the corner. Swiftly afterwards it became 5-2 as the little opposition midfielder, now relieved of his duties in goal, picked the ball up a full 30 yards out and drove a high dipping ball towards goal. Dan back-pedalled rapidly and rose to get a hand on the ball sending it skywards before landing on his back on the goal line. Time seemed to stand still at this point as the ball dropped and the lack of any attempt to get up from Dan left the rest of the team to assume another top save had been made and the ball was dropping over the bar. This was not the case however, as the ball dropped under the bar and over the line to the bemusement of pretty much everyone, Boars and opposition alike. Not least Dan who claimed landing on his back had left him momentarily in shock and stopped him from moving as the ball dropped down over him. Perhaps the dick of the day vote was opening itself up again after all.

5-2 became 6-2 not long after as the fight had seemingly been knocked out of Merton by the time we entered the final 10 minutes, a run down the wing from the oppositions star man (AKA “the lad in the blue boots”) left three Merton players for dead before cutting inside and slotting home at the near post from close range. Nottsborough continued to pile on the pressure in the final ten minutes but unwilling to concede a seventh Merton battled away in defence and with Dan able to make another couple of top saves (sore back eh?) it was the Boars who were able to have the last laugh. Merton were awarded a foul on the half way line in a similar position to that from which we had scored our second and once again Dan Rist, who had been having a strong game going forward all day, stepped up to take it. Not keen on delegating responsibility for scoring a consolation to any of the lads in the box, Dan stepped up with a goal of the season contender (also his first goal for the club) bending the diagonal ball across and finding the top corner off the underside of the bar – think Ronaldinho free kick against England in the 2002 World Cup, but from the half way line.

And with that came the final whistle, a day that had started out with so much promise (and plenty of new boots) for the 3s had ultimately ended in defeat, as have so many other close fought games this season. But a strong performance from the lads for 70 minutes is something we can take heart from for the rest of the season, with the opposition skipper commenting post game that we were the best footballing side they had faced all season and with a bit more fitness or some substitutes available it could have been a different story. 

Man of the Match – Dan R

Dick of the Day – Dan B

Scorers – Fitz, Mustard, Dan R

Time to blow cobwebs away and play footy.

Kingstonians overcame Merton for the second time this season with a 1-0 win to boost their league position.

Number 7 tapped in a volley after the Kingstonians left mid was given too long on the ball and curled in a brilliant cross only for the unmarked centre attacking midfielder, lurking at the back post, to tap it into an open goal.

Merton dominated in the centre of the pitch and were very unlucky in the closing minutes of the game, when the ball came in from a corner and Jamie Esteban rose above the defenders to smash a header onto the crossbar.

Dan and Darren’s side, who are 7^th in the league only 2 points behind whitton wanderers, have played four more games than Kingstonians, who sit 5^th very comfortably. Although Merton showed good pieces of play in the first half, Kingstonians got the result that was expected and their defence played a big part.

A year ago Merton were 12^th in the league and had only one point after 15 games so to think that they travelled to Kingstonians and came away with a 1-0 loss is very respective. They showed good spirit and battled till the last minute.

Kingstonians are by far the best defensive team in the league and there are a lot of stats to back that up. They have only conceded 2 in their last 5 games and conceded 11 in 7 games this season. Merton found it hard to find a way through and Kingstonians built from the back. The yellows strikers Sam, Bradley and Felix just couldn’t beat the defence.

It could be argued that Merton deserved a penalty when Bradley controlled the ball, knocked it forward and accelerated past the centre back but was then pushed in the back to stop the counter attack.

Connor, the Kingstonians goalkeeper, pulled off some great saves in the closing five minutes of the game when Merton really piled on the pressure. Alex, Merton’s right attacking midfielder, played a neat one two with Harrison and took the shot at speed, dipping right into the top corner. However, it was stopped by a great dive from the goalkeeper.

At this point the reds made it clear they were looking for the goal to kill off the game by bringing on their tall, pacey striker. For one moment it looked over when he turned on the ball and beat two Merton centre backs only to skew his shot weakly wide.

A breakthrough for Merton seemed imminent. Attack after attack, shot after shot but the back of the net just wasn’t found. The rain poured down on the pitch and it made it hard for both teams to play their football.

One minute injury time wasn’t enough for Merton and it was clear the game was done. Kingstonians won it because of their defence. Merton dominated because of their midfield. It seemed an unfair result for such an even match.

However, Merton have to look on the bright side and finish this month in a high because their 3 upcoming fixtures could potentially all be wins. Hampton away will be a test but it’s safe to say if Merton perform the way they did today then they will win comfortably.

On the other hand, Kingstonians face a few challenges with Haworth away, whitton away, Bedfont away and Wallington home. Last time the reds faced whitton it finished in a 3-0 deficit. So Kingstonians know they are certainly still in the title race and need to keep putting in these performances.

Merton, who are surely aiming for a mid-table finish, will keep working on their defence and will probably work on scoring more goals and creating more chances. The yellows are under new management this season and are doing well to pick up the pieces from last season miserable 3 point finish.

A new-look Hood!

For those who you who have popped down to the Hood since the dawn of the New Year, you will have noticed it’s had a pretty significant series of improvements. On behalf of the entire club, we’d just like to say a huge thank you to Darren Fitzgerald, who so selflessly gave of his time over the holidays, and single-handedly did all the painting and repairs that have given our beloved clubhouse the facelift it so badly needed.

For those of you who don’t know, Darren is one of our newer members who plays for the 3s. But he has also taken on the role of managing the U/15s, in conjunction with Daniel Woollard, and the duo have done a fantastic job so far this season. We thank Darren kindly for all he is doing to help the club, and we hope you enjoy making use of the much-improved facilities at the Hood as a direct result of his efforts.

08/01/2017 Merton FC vs Motspur Park