Author: Matt Haswell
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Merton 4 – 1 Woking cougar colts
On another lovely sunny morning at the hood the under 9s arrived eager and ready for action after the half term break to face a very good and established Woking cougar colts in our first festival league match.
Woking kicked off, we gave them no time on the ball, gained possession and had the first shot on goal within a minute. The game settled and the teams proved evenly matched. First time for ages we had a full squad of 10 and rotated players regularly keeping up the tempo and pressure until we finally broke the deadlock with a goal from Sam 1-0 merton. Woking pulled back an equaliser with a very well worked goal with virtually the last kick of the half. 1-1 at the break.
2nd half we came out with 3 positional changes and started to control the game, a goal from Darius put us 2-1 up and then the final switch of the game Presley in as centre forward who put away 2 more. Final score 4-1 Merton. A fantastic team performance with every single player shining bright, a really good entertaining match.
Sams dad awarded man of the match to Presley, but again anyone of them deserved it, and his most memorable moment was the whole game.
Mention to Woking who had a 40 minute drive to play us, great team, fantastic coaches, very pleasurable day, look forward to playing them again.
Gary
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Lovely morning down at the Hood with just two games. The u9s were playing a strong Woking Colts side but beat them 3-1 and looked a really good well organised side. The U11s baeat Raynes Park Vale 4-2 coming from 2 – 0 at Half time. Great second half performance for Dave and Steve’s boys. U13s beat Shene Lions 5-0 in the 2nd round of the Surrey County Youth cup. The U14s lost 2-1 to AFC Ewell in the 2nd round of the Invitation Cup. Both excellent performances. U15s lost their cup match 8 – 1.
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Bank of England. What a treat of a venue! For this scribe, it was a first, and a privilege to set foot on such facilities. Banished to the ‘worst’ pitch of the lot, according to locals, Merton were greeted with a superb surface, conducive to good football. Unfortunately, the referee was an old foe, and it was taken as given before the kick off that Merton would be up against a 12th man of sorts. How true that would prove.
Team: Kieran Lee (GK), Ed Plaistow, Mike Todt, Joe Plumridge, Will Harrison, Frankie Kaligorou, Chris Outred, Dan Gridley, Ryan Burchell, Jake Hewett, Dom Plumridge
Subs: Noor Emad, Chris Dodd
Goals: Dom Plumridge (pen)
MOTM: Ryan Burchell
DOTD: Chris – very unfortunate
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Surrey Youth Cup
Sheen Lions 0-5 Merton FC
On a cold sunny Sunday morning we arrived at Sheen Lions ground. Before the match we had no referee, but luckily their assistant manager agreed to step up to the challenge so game on.
An excellent performance by all the team. We looked well organised and hungry for the win. We were all in a positive frame of mind, after last weeks win.
The tactics from Steve were to play 1 & 2 touch passing and press them. We pressed them hard and had one or two opportunities on goal before Justin’s goal arrived.
We continued to press the other side, showing quick good passing and communicating well with each other. It wasn’t long before Marcus used his pace and skill to score our second goal. Sheen Lions were hungry for a goal but our defence stood strong to get challenge.
Our third goal came from our striker Marcus, from a deflection of a Sheen Lions player. But a well deserved goal all the same.
Our calm tactical passing continued leading to our fourth goal my first for Merton FC. Evan passed me the ball, passing on d player I put the ball into the top left hand corner.
With the first half whistle being blown shortly after.
Steve half time talk was to keep passing and work hard as a team.
Second half started. Sheen Lions started with a more aggressive pace looking for their first goal. We continued to pass effectively and kept up the pressure. It was a half that our defenders were made to work hard, but stood up the pressure well. Justin scored his second goal of the match from out of the area striking the top left corner. The score ended up 5-0.
Great match lets move onto the next round.
MOM Freeeeeedie.
Match report from Hugo (right wing)

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Todays Results
1s lost in the 1st round of the AFA senior cup to Old Carthusians. Great venue and a very good side final score 4-1 flattered them and they were not hindered by some poor reffing.
2s I hope kick-started their season with a 4-1 home league win against Old Blues. Lofty scored a cracker by all accounts.
3s had a cracking win 3-2 at Old Owens.
4s lost 2-1 at Bank of England the victim of two gutting late goals.
5s won 3-1 against HSBC, another cracking result.
6s also had a great win at Old Alleyns 5-4.
The 7s lost their first league game heavily to Carshalton 6s.
(pics from 1s game at Charterhouse) (Bad news were thefts from changing rooms at the Hood) On the whole a good day and a few guys back in the bar to commiserate with 1s on their return.
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NAME: Will Low
TEAM: 1st XI
POSITION: CM, DCM, RB, LB, RM…
BIRTH DATE: 06/12/1985
BIRTH PLACE: Shrewsbury
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Bridgnorth Town, Shrewsbury Town, Star Aluminum, Horsforth Fairweather
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I work at Lord’s doing tech projects which combines the two things I’m most interested in, sport and technology. I’d describe myself in 3 words as quiet, laidback, reliable.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
I found the club on Gumtree while looking for a team when I moved to London. I checked out 2 teams, the first had 5 turn up for training while Merton had about 50 so I stuck with them.
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Getting promotion to Division 1 in 2014
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Wolves, I support them.
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Arrive early to get a medium sized shirt.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
Promotion back to Division 1
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Kevin De Bruyne
Childhood Team: Wolves
Favourite team in the UK: Wolves
Favourite team outside the UK: Dortmund
Childhood Hero: Ryan Giggs
Favourite Food: Pepperoni Pizza
Favourite Drink: Neck Oil IPA
Favourite Band: Oasis
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NAME: Malcolm Kandulu or Kandula according to Mike
TEAM: 6’s
POSITION: midfielder
BIRTH DATE: 01/12/87
BIRTH PLACE: Blantyre, Malawi
PREVIOUS CLUBS: roundshow colts
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I am simple with my days, try to make it through work and socialise as much possible. A bit of gym, run a basketball Club, I am passionate about music, I produce, rap, sing and write
How did you end up at Merton FC?
A friend of mind Paolo suggested coming to gain fitness, loved the people and stayed.
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
First goal at pre season. I remember walking on the pitch hanging as hell!!
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Sutton United, it’s my local pro you team. I’d be honoured to
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Yes I go to the pub for a full English with kieran
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season?
Try to keep fit to cover most of the season, get in some extra goals as well.
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football):
Childhood Team:
Favourite team in the UK: Arsenal
Favourite team outside the UK: Italian squad if it counts
Childhood Hero: Roberto Baggio
Favourite Food: oriental
Favourite Drink: whiskey
Favourite Band: Jay Z
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NAME: Dan Bridgeman
TEAM: 2s/3s Super Squad
POSITION: GK
BIRTH DATE: 17 August 1992
BIRTH PLACE: London
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Barnes Eagles, Mole Valley Predators, Sussex Uni 1s
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I’m 24 going on 40 (apparently) and work in tax (no not for HMRC). Boring stuff aside enjoy pretty much anything sport related and generally just having a laugh with mates. At any given time outside of working hours the most likely place you’ll find me is on the golf course.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
I graduated from Uni in 2013, moved home and after a couple of years out whilst studying professional exams I was looking for a club to get back in to the game with that didn’t take themselves too seriously. Having been down for a few months now, I’m fairly comfortable Merton fits the bill.
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
I’d say probably my penalty save in the first game of the season, but mainly because it was purely down to the mind games I played on the striker psyching him out rather than it having any impact on the result.
If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
Probably a bit of a left field choice, but I’d have to say the European Ryder Cup team. I’m crazy in to golf and I just don’t think there is another sporting event like the Ryder Cup. Plus I’d love to stick it to those Yanks, especially Patrick Reed!
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I used to have a lucky undershirt as a kid up until I finished Uni (though I don’t wear it anymore), but looking back I think it only stayed lucky because I only wore it when I thought we were going to win because I didn’t want to lose the luckiness. These days though, the closest thing to a ritual is calling my dad for a match report post game and then ordering a curry.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
Really, I’m just looking to have some fun and get back in to football this year, I’m not putting any pressure on myself or the team, but it would be nice to avoid relegation given I think we were promoted last season with the 3s. From a personal perspective it’d nice to maintain my penalty save ratio at or above 50% where it is now too (shoot-outs don’t count!).
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football):
Childhood Team: Supported Chelsea, played for Barnes Eagles
Favourite team in the UK: Chelsea
Favourite team outside the UK: Seattle Seahawks
Childhood Hero: Gianfranco Zola
Favourite Food: Beef Wellington
Favourite Drink: Sober – tea, drunk – Jaeger Bombs apparently!
Favourite Band: Oasis
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NAME: Mike Stone
TEAM: 2s/3s supersquad
POSITION: CM/CB
BIRTH DATE: 15/10/91
BIRTH PLACE: Aldershot
PREVIOUS CLUBS: distinctly average youth teams
Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I work in Digital Marketing on Personalised Videos. Outside of work my hobbies include disco dance, sunbathing and ping pong.
How did you end up at Merton FC?
Clappers scouted me on the pitch at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (true story) and the rest, as they say, is history
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Having my first Merton goal stolen from me on the line by Tom Benham. He finished club top goalscorer last year, I wonder how…
If you could play for a professional team,which would be it and why?
Portsmouth- boyhood team
Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
None as good as Mustard’s.
Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
I’m part of the 2s/3s supersquad which has enough quality in it to challenge for the league(s). Would probably count 2s out of the cup for now though
RAPID FIRE:
Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Rashford
Childhood Team: Portsmouth
Favourite team in the UK: Portsmouth
Favourite team outside the UK: BambinI FC
Childhood Hero: Steven Gerrard
Favourite Food: Roast
Favourite Drink: Badger’s Fursty Ferret
Favourite Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers