Author: Matt Haswell

Youth results today. U12s lose a very good to a strong Junior Bs side 5-4. (MoM Charlie with a hat trick) but everyone put in a good shift against a very good side. U8s won 3-2 with Lee MoM. U11’s won 3-0 against SCR Colts with Ellis (LB) earning the MOM award.

Todays Results. 1s lose 3-2 to Old Alleyns 3-2 on 3G at T &M down to 10 men early on but put in a great team performance. Deserved at least a point. Net week same oppo in cup semi final. Need revenge. 2s drew 2-2 at The Bank in a high quality game. A great entertaining football matchment. Jase (MoM pic) with two high quality goals. 4s lost 3-1 at home after being 1-0 up at HT. 5s lose heavily away to West Wickham 10 – 0. The 6s crashed out of the Junior Novets Cup quarters to Old Finchleians 7s 7 – 0.

It was a cold day and wet day for most of the UK on match day.  With most of the other games off in the surrounding area, a small ray of light in the Ham/Richmond area enabled the mighty Merton 6’s game against Old Blues 4 to be given the go ahead.

It was a freezing day and with most of the team nursing their usual hangovers, things were not looking good.

Once again a lack of communication between the Merton 6’s prior to the game meant that Harry thought we were at a Regatta, not a football match and decided to meet at the local boat club.  Spence was sent on his way to find him, even though we played at the same ground the week before!  With Beans (Adam Prior) also missing in action we were still waiting for the Old Blues to turn up at the other car park.  A trip back down the road to the clubhouse sorted it all out and once the team was all changed, we all piled in various vehicles and made our way to the ground.

Once at the ground, it was a hop over a barbed wire fence to be greeted with Spence and Rob providing the 5 minute quick stretch and warm up routine and we were ready to start.

Steve gave a rip roaring team talk and told the team not to take them lightly, as it looked like they had changed a few faces from our victory the week prior.  Steve kept faith with his trusted 3-5-2 formation, which we all know meant a 5-3-2 with the occasional holding midfielder dropping in to make a back 6!

Starting line as follows: Merton’s number 1, Martin in goal, back 3 of Spence, Gaffer and Smithy (c) with the two pacey wing backs of Harry and Baz.  Midfield was new player Ram (who is settling in nicely and giving numerous players top bants), and the Neville brothers (will let you all decide which one is who), up top was Rob and Nuno.  Impact subs were Ryan and our new and improved striker Jonny O.

So now to the game, it was the usual start to such an important game with both teams trying to work the other out with the odd bad touch and misplaced pass thrown in for good measure.  Then roughly 15 minutes into the game a small miracle occurred.

Smithy went up for a corner, as he normally does and with the same result as normal, got nowhere near a header.  The ball was then played back into the box and with utter confusion as to why there was still a centre half in the centre forward position, the Old Blues defence had a total mix up, Smithy then threw an almighty dummy with tits going one way and stomach the other, to throw the other defenders off their game, the bouncing ball landed at his feet and then with composure slotted the ball right in the far bottom corner and the miracle was complete – first goal for Merton and first competitive goal in 16 years!!

Unfortunately the rest of the half we were camped in a little bit and was restricted by the Old Blues in playing our normal free flowing game.  Shortly after the half hour mark the Old Blues deservedly equalised with a classic game of scramble football in our box and after a clearance off the line the ball came back in, hit the post and came back to Martin who couldn’t quite hold onto the ball and rebounded off him in the net.

Shortly after the unthinkable happened and the Old Blues scored again with such an unfortunate goal! It was an attempted clearance from Ram which jointly struck the foot of their attacker on the edge of our area and looped agonisingly over the head of Martin, which in fairness most keepers would have struggled to save.   Was Smithy’s goal going to be in vain!

Shortly before half time we had a goal disallowed, whereby Rob’s goal bound freekick was headed in by Frasier in an offside position.  Rob was furious as he thought it was going in and we never heard the end of it!!

The half time whistle blew and Merton left the field knowing there was still plenty to give as the we were poor in the first half, but still in the game.

Steve, Rob, Spence and Smithy all had there say at half time and with the team under new instructions, we set about repairing the damage.  A change at half time meant new boy Ram was off and Ryan was on up front, with Frasier moving back to midfield.

With the wind on our backs we started the second half and began to take control early on with a number of free kicks in dangerous positions which caused panic in the Old Blues box.

Then a moment of magic from another centre half!

With a tactical foul given away by Old Blues from a fully 37 yards out, they thought there was no danger, how wrong were they.  Up stepped Spence who hit a floaty lofted free kick into the top corner which the keeper got nowhere near!!  2-2! Sending the crowd of 4 Merton supporters (Beans, Ram, Jonny O and the gaffers favourite son!) into wild celebrations!!

From then on we were totally dominate, with every challenge won and pushing forward at will.

With roughly 25 mins to go the Mighty Merton pushed for the winner and a corner was awarded.  In it came but evaded everyone, expect the gaffer who was alert and headed the ball back in a dangerous position, then from nowhere (I think it was dive!) Nuno acrobatically diverted the ball into the net. 2-3 to Merton, it was unbelievable Geoff!!!!

Could it get any better, you bet it can!  An attempted counter attack by Old Blues was intercepted by Smithy, who brought the ball forward eating up the yards (quite literally!) and played a lovely pass into Matty Neville who turned and smashed it from a fully 30 plus yards over the keepers weak hands into the net.  This was truly different gravy from Merton, who for the first time in a while had the comfort of a two goal lead.

Matt’s reward for a superb goal, was to be subbed for the last 10 mins and Old Blues nemesis Jonny O came on and gave them the usual problems up front.

There was still time to absorb some late pressure from Old Blues with Smithy heading one off the line, some desperate tackles put in by Rob and Spense and a superb one on one save by “OH S*IT” Martin.  But we held on!

Final score 2-4 to Merton!!

After the game a good post beer was had by everyone which included new boy Ram getting right involved with the banter and Smithy failing to live up to a team hand shandy promise if we won!

Now for man of the match!!

I can honestly say no one had a bad game, but here a few stand outs:

Spence – always putting in a tackle and scored a great goal.

Frasier – running around like a headless chicken and caused problems for the Old Blues all game. His energy is what the team has missed this season.

Harry – enjoying his new wing back position and managed to spend more time on his feet than his arse.  Not his greatest game but deserves a mention for a consistent season!

And now for MVP – SMITHY!! (plus im writing it!!). Probably his best game in a Merton shirt! Was solid in weight as he was in defence.  Scored probably goal of the game and provided a vital assist to finish the game off!  Also clearance off the line!!  What a truly momentous performance!

Next week – our biggest game of the season against Old Finchlians in the cup!

Written by SMITHY!

It was scheduled as a home game but the waterlogged pitch prevented the home game from going ahead. Kindly Bruno, the opposition’s Manager, agreed for the reversal of the fixture and arranged for a pitch at goals in Isleworth.

The support of the parents was fantastic as always and the team welcomed Aarya back in the squad for what promised to be a very competitive game.

The first quarter was well balanced and both teams displayed good football skills, as a team and individually. Merton had a few chances to go ahead but great goalkeeping ensured the opposition’s goal was safe. In the second quarter, the boys were taken by surprise by good strikes from the distance and found themselves 3 -0 down.

Yet again their great spirit, determination and will to never give up saw them fighting back and were rewarded with two deserved goals. They always say you are most vulnerable after you have scored; and so it was. With a good combination, Old Isleworthians got themselves a fourth.

The boys’ heads did not drop and, once again, with only minutes remaining, Merton U8 came back to equalise for a deserved draw.

Another great day of football.

A special thank you to all our supporters and to Bruno from Old Isleworthians.

MOM Freddie

The U8 travelled to Sutton where a very good side was eagerly waiting and warming up for the match. Always followed with great support from the parents, our squad started strongly in the first 10 minute quarter but the boys could not put away the many chances they had. We all know what football is like and, with two quick counter-attacks Sutton found themselves 2 – 0 up.

The match evened up and Sutton demonstrated to be a very good team indeed. Our boys pulled 1 back but found themselves straight down to 3 – 1 in the second quarter.

As always, the boys never gave up and brought the score to an even 3 – 3.

The last thrilling quarter saw Sutton regaining the lead but the boys in their smart new training/second all black kits equalised and seemed able to push for a victory; but in the last seconds of the match another quick counter-attack from Sutton brought their striker to a one to one with our goalie… the striker hit the ball but, unfortunately for Sutton and fortunately for Merton, the ball went just wide of the far post.

4 – 4 the final result. A fair result for two teams that played very good football.

Well done to all.

MOM Jaiden

Todays Results. 1s get an important away draw at Old Owens 1-1 with Rat scoring from long range. This moves them up to seventh. 3s lose 4-2 at home to old Staioners at a very muddy Hood. (pic). 6s get back to back wins beating Old Blues 4 – 2, with an over head kick from Nuno, Spencer free kick, Matt Haswell screamer and even the Skipper Smithy getting in on the action. STOP PRESS Tomorrows Youth Games at HOOD are OFF. Pitch waterlogged.

This was a very good win for our reserves against a very Strong AP side. We had already lost to them earlier this season when AP beat us 6-4 in North London playing most of the game with 10 men after a red card. But our boys bounced back from a disappointing result against Norsemen last week to take all three points in a close game. We lead at half time through a terrific Chris Rayner strike from 20 yds that finished off a good passing movement . AP equalised from a far post header from a corner but Tom Rowe scored what proved to be the winner on about 70 mins when he was played through and hit an early shot  hard and  low into the corner. Ally Pally are still well placed for promotion and it is probably between them, NUFC oilers and Norsemen. Our man of the match was Rich Moore.

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AFA Surrey/ Kent Senior Cup

This was a good performance from the 1s who came up against Lloyds who are top of the SAL third division and had only lost one league game this season. But we put in a strong performance and deserved the win that sets up a Semi- final tie against Alleyns to be played at the \Hood in a few weeks time. The pitch was very wet but playable and we settled quickly and got on top early on. Our first goal came from a very good move with Ackers setting up Woody who rifled it home from 20 yards left footed into the corner. Whilst we were on top Lloyds had their moments and created some opportunities and a bit of sloppy defending after 35 mins saw them equalise so we turned 1-1 at Half time.  With the wind behind us we played pretty well in the second half and dominated but Lloys were well organised and never gave up. We took the lead early in the second half when a well delivered Woody free kick was flicked  on and Al Gladkow finished well. We had a number of chances to increase our lead none better than Tills blazing over the bar shortly before he scored our third with a far post header.

This was a pretty good performance against a good side who look likely to be promoted to the Second division net season. Tills and Woody won a lot of the midfield headers and Snooks set up some good moves. The surface was never easy but both sides played some nice football . Everyone (both sides)put in a big shift on a very tiring surface. Phil Cook reffed the game very well . I think we were spurred on by our disappointing cup exit in our last game a fortnight ago.

Well done lads and now for the semi final but there is a big league game at Old Owens next week.

Team;   Angus (GK), Al G, Browner, Clappers, Rat, Tills, Woody, Snooks, Vanny (Chris Jones 70 mins), Ackers, Bosh  (Will Low 60 mins) ,

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This was a really good night at the club with 16 teams quizzing the night away. With many teams in contention it looked like The Undateables, last year’s winners might retain their title but ‘Men Most Handsome’ from Team handsome, buoyed by their success on the pitch that afternoon rallied in the final rounds to win the prize (Well no prize actually). Quizlamic Extremists, Many Clouds, Leavemy***alona and Quizzy Rascall all threatened to win but faded with some tough music questions and footy finding them out. At half time the Dodge and Peter Kemp and chefs served a really good curry delivered to the tables by the U12s waiters and we were all entertained by the music of Joe Boshall, singer guitarist. It was a really lively evening and thanks go to a great number of people.

Sherbs did a great job in devising the questions and being Quizmaster on the night. Our Caterers came up with a great curry and the bar was well tended and always busy, so thanks to Dodge, Peter, Jasper and  the Steves  and our on the night U12 waiters.  Also a special thanks to those who helped clear up at the end of the evening. It was also great to see the Murphy team and the graduates (see pics)

The Youth section fielded five teams and really supported the event, organising a terrific raffle that raised over £200 and thanks to all those who brought prizes along. It was the general support that made it such a great evening.

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