Author: Matt Haswell

Merton 4-4 Doverhouse
(Merton win 4-3 on penalties)

After what can only be described as a great game of football, that Merton eventually and deservedly won on penalties.

After the most shocking of starts ( 3-0 down in the first 9 minutes) – changes were made to attempt to rectify the situation. Our team must have made such an impact, the usual start strong; don’t concede quite obviously worked!

9 minutes in, our goalkeeper comes to collect a cross and gets challenged. Caught with the elbow of the striker – and ball ended up in the net.
First change and unfortunately Louis didn’t take any further part in the game.

Changes made 15 minutes in to try and fix the mess we found ourselves in, and boy did the players put a shift in!
We finally pulled one back, with Jake firing in from a well delivered Bradley cross.

After creating a lot of chances it was 3-1 at half time. A slight rollicking at half time to get them going for the second half. Carried on where we ended, lots of the ball and creating chances.

We got a deserved second goal from Jaime Esteban, who done a fine job in goal for the first half. Replaced by Tommy.
3rd goal – penalty by Marcin. Good work in midfield and coolly finished spot kick.

After our hard work we gift them a goal out of nothing, their only attack of the 2nd half. And it was 4-3 to doverhouse.

We kept battling and creating the chances we did in the first half.
Creating an equaliser from another Esteban goal.  It stayed at 4-4 for the remainder of the normal time. We created enough chances to win the game but couldn’t take them.

Penalties – nerve rangling penalties that determined the result. Merton scoring all 3 with – Esteban saving 2 giving us the edge. Unfortunately we missed our 4th but cooly dispatched to win the penalty shoot out.

A deserved result from the game – but a tough test from doverhouse.  Into three bridges in the next round!

Well done to all the boys – great courage.

Thanks to Marcus for running the line and Pippa for taking the photos. Claire for happily taking over pitch Marshall role – which is working well.

Carry on the hard work boys!

Great set of results from the Youth Section today. U9s beat Mitcham Park 9-1, U11s beat Claygate Royals 4-1, U13s beat Hook Youth 4-1.(Cup) U14s drew 3-3 with Croygas Town But Our U15s staged acracking fightback from 3-1 down to get to 4-4 and Beat avery strong Doverhouse 4-3 on Pens in the Cup. Well done to all It was a great sight at the Hood. (Pics of U15s and U13s and U15s GK flying) Merton has had a pretty good weekend on and off the pitch!

Great start to the season with 1s 2s and 3s all winning. 1s won away at Ally Pally 2-0 with Tom Rowe scoring both goals in the first half. 2s beat a determined Oldsmiths 4-2. 3-0 up became 3-2 and it was definitely in the balance. Good game. (Wilgo and Elz with a brace each – Wilgo Man Most Handsome) 3s won 7-1 with a great performance. 4s played Civil Service 6s away losing 4 – 1 and 5s started their league campaign with a win beating Ibis 2 – 1. 6s lost 4-1 in the cup to Old Wilsons. Good in the bar as well with some celebrations.

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Civil Service 6s vs. Merton 4s
SAL Minor Division 2 South
Saturday 17^th September 2016

So after last week’s disappointing result in the opening game of the season, it was time for the 4s to travel to Chiswick to face Civil Service.

Due to a four car pileup at Chiswick Roundabout, there was no option for everyone to park up at Barnes Bridge and walk to the ground. This meant a delayed KO with no chance to warm up.

We were with a few regulars meaning a step up from a few 5s players to help us out, namely Steve, Anam and Dave Golding. Noor Edam was also included in the squad after impressing in training during the week and recommended to us. Chris Outred deputised between the sticks following a ‘no show’ from our keeper. The joys of Saturday football!

We were on the back foot from the off of honest and Civil Service capitalised on this by taking the lead 15 minutes in. Conceding the goal seemed to give us a lift along with a slight change of positions due to Will picking up and injury with Joe converting to centre half. Arnold also picked up an injury forcing a change with Noor coming on in his place.

We were creating chances, some white Dom and Sonny should have easily put away but it was not meant to be. 5 minutes before the break we got a breakthrough. Dom surrounded by a sea of red shirt went to ground with the ref pointing to the spot. Dom picked himself up to slot the ball into the bottom left. 1-1 going into the break in the host were there for the taking.

The team talk at the break was a positive one. Keep doing what we were going before the break and we would get something out of the game. It wasn’t meant to be however.

Civil Service peppered our goals with shots from every opportunity and in the end it paid off. Positional errors and tired legs meant that another three goals were conceded. It could have been a lot worse had Chris had an off day in goal but he didn’t put a foot wrong, likewise either did Ryan putting in a Man of the Match performance for the second week in a row and making it very difficult for somebody to take the shirt off his back.

We realised that key to playing football is consistency and ensuring that you have the same guys week in week out. Let’s hope that going forward players are committed. If not then we can’t push forward.

We have a break from competitive football next weekend before our AFA Cup game away to Old Wokingians. Let’s hope for a better start in the Cup than we have had in the league. Come on boys!!!!!

FINAL SCORE: Civil Service 6s 4 – 1 Merton 4s SCORER: Dom Plumridge MOTM: Ryan Burchell

STARTING LINE-UP: Chris Outred (GK), Ryan Burchell, Will Harrison (Noor Edam), Steve Burchell, Edward Plaistow (Capt.), Arnold Collier (Chris Dodd), David Golding, Joe Plumridge, Anam Hussan, Sonny Kennedy, Dom Plumridge.

Following a hammering in game week one the 3s turned up seeking to put last weeks torment well and truly behind them. A dressing room full of new and old Merton blood sat eager to get things going. Fantastic timekeeping and mustard like money collecting started proceeding with clear intent to deliver a positive result. A clear dressing room veto on Ryan’s thoughts regarding dick of the day & match reporting was quickly decided with shouts of “who does he think he is? club secretary?” echoing in the air. With cliches ringing in everyone’s ears on how we will approach this game, each and every player contributed massively to what can only be described as an almost perfect day at the hood. Marred slightly by a very dubious sending off from both teams. More about that later.
With the oppo running late it was imperative that the 3s asserted themselves quickly. Captain for the day Vincenzo chose to go with the wind first half and it seemed like a wise call as Merton quickly found theirselves dominating possession with some slick passing on what was a very good pitch following Friday’s tsunami. It soon became apparent that this oppo were there for the taking and that we were a lot more focused this week. So we unleashed the reincarnation of Mr David Donavan (also known as Donno,donny and bloke upfront in mom nominations) Donno caused havoc to the Norseman defence with endless running, chasing down and ultimately a very well deserved hat trick and at least 8 assists, winning a penalty and hitting the post. (So he told me when I subbed him)
The first half went by very quickly and early on an almost fatal passage (which Iain was very unhappy about) of play between centre backs quickly turned into a goal for Merton on the break. Some neat passing in the middle of the pitch sent Andy off down the left who coolly slotted the ball sideways for Donno to get his first. This was followed up by lots of good football throughout the half. Although one pass from Neal in the left back position to Dan at right back caused a brief scare.(which Iain was very unhappy about) Dan at right back looked assured and comfortable playing the ball on the ground but was very happy to mix it up and send the ball up the line when needed. Vincenzo and Walshy dominated their forwards and gave very little away with Ricardo solid and willing to push on at left back. Both holding midfielders Neal and Darren (not Daz he is not a washing detergent) generally marshalled that area of the pitch breaking up any small threat caused and managed to control the game with some very decent passages of play from left to right and vice versa. Iain and Andy on both flanks always available and both happy to do their fair share of tracking back which helped the shape of the team immensely. Another attack saw Merton gain a corner and after a quick one two Iain was open around the back post, Neal knocked a ball just a little too long (which Iain was very unhappy about) and the chance disappeared. The second came with a mixture of pinball and quick feet from Neal, Joe (with beard) and Dan with Joe (with beard) neatly tucking home after a peach of a ball from Dan. There was also a penalty won by Donno who was clean through knocked it past the keeper then ran into him and the shouts and appeals were enough to convince the ref it was a foul. Ricardo offered pre match to take pens in search for his hat trick. He stepped up succeeding successfully in missing 3 pens in a row with shouts of LBW from the cricket match going on in the distance! (Although without a video umpire the batsman was given not out!) His frustration got the better of him picking up a cheeky yellow for a tackle soon after.
At this point in the match report there are certainly some worried men reading … Darcy (or is it Ben? no ones knows really), Dan K, Tony, Ryan, Mike Stone and Denyz all secretly thinking that they had better go training this week and they’d be right to be worried as the new Merton blood wanted to stake their claim on places and on this performance I am glad I am not Lofty. The second half kicked off continuing the same theme of dominance. With Frankie coming on at left mid for Ricardo and Joe (without beard) coming on for Joe(with beard)these hungry boars were ready to charge! Straight from kickoff the pressure was applied with Frankie bursting almost literally down the left and finally squaring it only for the keeper to make a solid save at the back post. Frankie and Iain continued to dominate their full backs and with Joe (without beard) bringing some beautiful footwork to proceedings Merton were coasting. Then the madness came the referee clearly bored he was not in the game enough decided to award a soft free kick against Merton, this resulted in a push in the head, a push back, a bit of squaring up and about 17 handbags. The ref calmed proceedings called both players over who had clearly resigned their selves to a stupid yellow each. only to be shocked the ref went to the dreaded shorts pocket and pulled out the red for both players. In disbelief both players left the pitch hugging, holding hands and vowing to take on the establishment together! Dave Loughton correctly brought me down to earth quickly in the bar telling me that I can appeal if I have video evidence. Unfortunately one player cam was focusing on Paul Walshy’s(Welchie’s) new fake Puma kings he purchased from Sports Direct earlier that day and the other was still searching for Ricardo’s penalty ball in the first half. The game was by no means over though there was still plenty of work to do and this was done professionally. Donno getting his Hat trick then getting subbed, Joe (without beard), Frankie and then Ricardo (with the goal of the day) finishing off a clearly desperate Norseman side. These goals were assisted but to be honest I can’t remember them as I was too busy sulking on the sideline however you can probably bet money at least one of them was called Joe (with or without beard) or Dan. There was still time for some more yellows from the ref and a goal from Norseman which they probably didn’t deserve. All in all a really assured performance from a clearly jubilant bunch of lads. The traditional one step beyond song was introduced to the new blood with Lofty even trying to get in on the act to celebrate a great result and we look forward to a local derby next week with that lot from Carshalton.

Mom; Donno but with some mentions to Joe(with beard) and Andy

A very close run Dick of the week contest between Neal (sending off) and Ricardo( pen miss) was sealed by Joe (without beard) who decided admirably he couldn’t vote for Ricardo for two games in a row hence my efforts in writing this report!
Great effort lads.
Team
Dan
Dan
Vincenzo (captain)
Walshy
Ricardo
Neal
Darren
Iain
Andy
Joe (with beard)
Donno

Joe (without beard) Frankie

NAME: Gabriel Draghici
TEAM:  2s
POSITION: RB, RWB, RM
BIRTH DATE: 03.04.1989
BIRTH PLACE: Bucharest, Romania
PREVIOUS CLUBS: St Martin

Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself? 
I like playing sports (I like to get involved in activities – not a fun of watching football or any other sports). I like to eat healthy in general but also I will enjoy a burger from time to time, is not the end of the world…  I am working for a construction company as a CAD designer. Most of the time produce architectural drawings. Not very interesting spent most of the day behind computers but it is a way of earning some money… Quit hard bit to describe my self – in general I will let others to describe me… I will say I’m a laid back person

How did you end up at Merton FC?
– My ex team start losing players so that makes me looking for a change.  Follow Joseph S. to a training session and there we are…

What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
As I am new to the team I don’t have many moments but I felt I had a good game one the first match with MFC.

If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why? 
Well probably I will dream to play next to Ramos but for now I’m happy to play for MFC.

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
No pre-match rituals or superstitions…

Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.
To get back on shape step by step – achieve playing 90 min with no difficulties… than I will fix a new target.

RAPID FIRE:

Player of the season (so far): -N/a
Childhood Team: -n/a
Favourite team in the UK: none
Favourite team outside the UK: I will say none but probably I will choose Real
Madrid…
Childhood Hero: Superman / Mutant Ninja Turtles
Favourite Food: In general not fussy but I rather prefer chicken
Favourite Drink: Corona
Favourite Band: Not particularly a favorite one

NAME: Luke Newman

TEAM: 5s

POSITION: Played them all at some stage, I have no clue anymore. Wherever Clive wants me, he has me.

BIRTH DATE: 27/12/1992

BIRTH PLACE: Kingston [UK]

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Kew Association, Old Westminster Citz

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

I work with councilors at Surrey County Council, and enjoy my work, which probably makes me a little dull. I play football 4 times a week now, as to try and avoid a social life; however I do always seem to end up going out on a Friday somehow.

How did you end up at Merton FC?

My old club, OWC folded. Merton is my local club, therefore an obvious choice. I came initially to try it out; after a few games with Merton 5s I felt very comfortable and haven’t looked back since!

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

Minus pre-season, I still have not scored for Merton, so it can’t be that. The double header victory of last season, and our only 2 wins of last season, stands out as the best moment. I look forward to more of those this season.

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

Definitely Fulham. In the next 10 years I hope we will get promoted, to experience that with the team I support would be great.

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

As a deep lie-in midfielder, I find getting there on time is usually a good omen.

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

Promotion with the 5s. More goals then own goals this season, or at the very least, equal on 0. Stop Darren from shaving any hair off my body.

RAPID FIRE:

Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football): Not started yet!

Childhood Team: Wimbledon FC

Favourite team in the UK: Fulham

Favourite team outside the UK: FC Copenhagen

Childhood Hero: Can’t think of any!

Favourite Food: Pizza

Favourite Drink: Hobgoblin

Favourite Band: Steel Panther

This season sees the return of ‘The Merton Way’ newsletter, player profiles and Team sheet. These will be emailed out to all members and will be on the website.  Click on the pages to view these, the team sheet will be on the Fixtures page. We hope you enjoy the read.