Author: Matt Haswell

Another great set of results from the Youth section.
U9s beat Motspur Park 4-3,
U11s beat Carshalton Athletic 5-0
U13s continued their good run and beat Hook Youth 3-1 and are challenging for top spot now
U15s beat Doverhouse 5-0
U14s away at Bedfont Result not in,
Well done to Steve and all the managers players and parents. Team Pics of U15s,U13s and U9s below.

Todays results – 1s beat South Bank 5-2 Goals from Vanny, Charlie, Johny (2) and Wilgo, 2s no game 3s lost 1-0 at Carshalton, 4s lost 4-2, 5s no game, 6s beat Old Wilsonians 6-2 but 7s lost 2-0 to Old Salesians and regretted many missed chances. Merton Creche on the touchline and then in the bar (pics)

1^st XI – Away against Actonian Association

Lost 1-0.

Away against top of the league: sounds tricky, but we had good memories of a last minute winner in the same fixture last year and three points would put us right in the promotion hunt.

Our line-up had an old school feel to it. For various reasons, the youthful injection that has made a big impact this season was largely missing. That meant that team selection was pretty easy – the 11 that turned up were the 11 that played (yes, Vanny, even you can start). Clappers’ pre-match speech reminder that we had a mediocre team last year (said presumably without realising that the starting 11 was the team we had last year) could not dent the confidence from a couple of good recent wins. The average age of the team might have shot up to the wrong side (or is that the right side) of 32, but you don’t win anything with kids.

Fortunately, we had all ignored Kearnsy’s invite to his Friday night lash-up housewarming – an invite that will see him deleted from the Gaffer’s Christmas card list. But the good pre-match news was that even before kick-off, Kearnsy had scored once and only narrowly missed out on second due to some careless finishing earlier that day. Anyway, enough of that – let’s get out there, smash into them into them in the first 10 mins, smash a result, and smash off on the long journey home.

The first 40 mins were pretty even. We were winning the midfield battle – the Tilly-Low-Woody tank formation generally does. Will in particular seemed to constantly be getting their ahead of his man – he must be damn annoying to play against.

We found some joy down the wings when we were able to isolate their fullbacks, and one great interchange between Vanny and Charlie brought a fine one-on-one stop from their 8 foot keeper. But if truth be told, Actonians were probably the more consistently incisive. The crossbar came to our aid when a chipped shot looped over Siri, and a couple of dreadful headed finishes came to our aid at other times.

With a satisfying goalless half time in view, a headed clearance from Clappers went up rather than out. When Browner decided he would decisively deal with it instead, he failed to realise that he would have to run through one of their players to get to the landing zone. Unfortunately that player turned out not to be a ghost, and went theatrically tumbling over. Clumsy – not a definite penalty, but not one you can complain about for too long. Their bloke calmly put the penalty right as Siri went left, and the non-existent half time oranges (where has that fine tradition gone?) tasted rather sour.

Actonians tried to up their physicality in the second half. A couple of studs up challenges, and at least one double footed tackle laid down the challenge. But these Merton Hogs never lie down, and the spirit in the second half really shone through on a day when the ref received more than one request to turn the floodlights on. 

As we pushed forward in search of an equaliser, the odd opening appeared in our defensive line. But Siri and the ref combined to keep us in it. In Siri’s case, it was a fine one-on-one save and another low to his left. In the ref’s case, it was ruling out their should-have-been-second with a terrible off-side decision, and not giving a penalty for a clear shirt pull from Clappers (although not according to Tilley who started some shovey-shovey by accusing the victim of a blatant dive as Clappers walked away sheepishly).

Meanwhile we were creating half chances at the other end. A Tilly header and a Browner volley both could have been equalisers if a yard lower. Bosher did excellently to get through the defensive line, but the finish (probably should have been cross) did not match the build up. An indirect free kick inside their area (thank you again ref) looked promising, but the routine was more Charlie Chaplin than Jackie Chan. Mani, who had arrived pitch-side during the game, came on and injected some real pace. But to give credit where due, the oppo’s defensive unit were good, if not as good as they thought they were.

Lots of endeavour, enough spirit to fill 3 drinks cabinets, but too many times the final cross or effort on goal lacked a telling bit of quality. Like the team sheet, it reminded one a bit of last season. So the promotion charge is on hold for the time being, but it still feels like there are good times coming up.

DOTD Browner: One mistake, one penalty, one goal, one-nil, one DOTD.

MOTM Will Low. Showed the same inspired determination that allowed him to smash through another 6 whiskeys even after chundering at The Earlsfield last Saturday. Last week that determination resulted in 3 hours sleep on the floor outside his front door (with a few more on the couch with a towel on his head). This week it got him MOTM.  

For those who haven’t seen it yet, the Merton flag is flying high with Ryan in Mumbai. The first of many lands conquered by the Yellow, you feel.

NICK PAPANASTASIOU MEMORIAL FRIENDLY

1st JANUARY 2017

As most of you will be aware by now, Merton FC lost one of its members, Nick Papanastasiou, in a tragic accident in Vietnam in October. Even though he only joined in 2015, his impact on the club was profound, and his infectious smile and endearing nature will not be forgotten in a hurry – nor his excellent footballing ability and impressive bowling action. The club have considered various ways in which to commemorate Nick’s life, and, among other things, it has been agreed with Nick’s brother, Chris, that a friendly fixture will take place on New Year’s Day. This will be a Merton XI against a team comprised of Chris’ friends and family. The meet time will be 12pm for a 1pm kick off at the Hood. Preference will be given to the 2s and 3s team members if they able and keen to play. Thereafter, vacancies will be filled with players from other teams. But whether you are playing or not, it promises to be a great occasion, so please do come down. The bar will be open for the day, so it’s a great way to dust off the New Year’s Eve hangover (and potentially create a new one). Most importantly, it’s a wonderful way to remember a young man who was very special to Merton FC, and we are hopeful that this will be the start of an enduring tradition. If you are keen to be involved as a player and/or supporter, please do get in touch with Max or Clappers. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

As Merton Saturdays go, this one was pretty strong.

The 1s lost a tight game 1-0, and the 3s went down narrowly 2-1.

Right, now brace yourselves for some good news…
The 2s won 1-0, the 4s won 9-2, the 5s won 5-2, the 6s won 12-4 and the 7s won 8-2. Hat tricks for Ryan Burchell, Michael Vogt, Scott Shew, George, Callum Fisher, George Mambeko and Dulanje Richards. Bravo all you Yellows!

Merton 1-0 Brockham ~Badgers

 

 

A hard fought win, which was justly deserved was finally delivered by the team. The hard work of the past few weeks was clear to be seen throughout this game. Training sessions recently had been based on keeping the ball, and our shape without the ball. This was evident throughout the game.

 

A change of formation took a while to get used to the positions and the roles within the team. The first 20 minutes were all Brockham, however they did not create many opportunities to score. It took us a while to find our feet in the game – and when we did we began to dominate the ball and the game. High pressure off the ball, and good movement when on the ball meant that we created chance after chance in the remaining 20 minutes in the first half.

Towards the end of the first half we were lining up to score, but couldn’t find the finishing touch that would have increased our confidence.

 

We started the second half on the front foot, continuing off from where we left off in the first half. We continued to move the ball well and create chances.

Our game came out of nothing, a long range effort from Harrison and it was spilt by the keeper over the line. Great goal, and one that boosted the confidence.

 

On the ball, we took our foot off the pedal. But defensively we kept our shape and defended well as a unit.

 

It was great to see the boys win the game. On to the next one. Well done!