Author: Matt Haswell

A rainy day at the Hood saw two enthusiastic teams battle on a very muddy pitch.

Great presence of parents from both side made the gloomy day sparkle. A very well balanced game in the first quarter where Merton FC went ahead but with Raynes Park Vale fighting on every ball. In the second quarter our boys started to demonstrate their abilities of good passing football. Raynes Park Vale returned strongly in the third quarter but Merton FC finished on a high in the last quarter with an overall win of 5 -1.

MOM was a close call and was given to Lee for a fantastic effort throughout the game.

Well done to both teams and a special thank you to Mackenzie of the U12 who refereed the last two quarters of the game.

A great day of football organised by Mitcham Park where 8 teams competed in two groups of four.

Our boys were in a very tough Group 1 with Sutton United, AC Fulham and Mitcham Park Stripes; Group 2 was formed by Mitcham Park Colts, AC Fulham Colts, Corinthian Casuals and SCR Colts.

Our first match against Sutton United was well fought but, despite a great team effort, the more experienced Sutton United came out with a good win with a round result.

The boys kept their heads up and regained confidence in the second match against Mitcham Park Stripes. There was plenty of good football from both sizes. The game ended with a Merton FC tight but deserved win.

Our last match against AC Fulham saw a great performance in the first half where Merton FC had several chances to finish the half ahead of the opponents but the half finished with a draw.   Fulham AC went ahead at the beginning of the second half with a good team combination. Our boys tried to equalise throwing everything they had but were left exposed to Fulham’s counter attacks and the game was lost perhaps with a result a bit too unkind.

The tournament’s final was played by Sutton United, winners of Group 1, and Fulham AC Colts, winners of Group 2. The game was won deservedly by Sutton United. However, all teams displayed good football and a great attitude towards the sport and were all rewarded with medals.

A big thank you to Mitcham Park FC for organising such a great event.

U8s beat RPV Reds 5-1 in a friendly at a very wet Joseph Hood. MOM was Lee and a big thanks to Mckenzie for being the referee.

Team Handsome admin. Mr Graham Willgoss with Man Most Handsome. Mr Alan Clowes with both Man Most Didn’t EG His Alcoholic Milkshake and Man Most Likely To Get Subsequent Brain Freeze.

Saturdays Results

1s win 4-2 away at Bank of England in AFA S/K cup. Ackers Hat trick and Vanny. A very good win against a committed BOE team. 2s lose 3-1 at home to Old Acts in SAL Inter Div 2. 3rd team lost by 5 – 0 to top of the table Norseman. 5s travelled to Walthamstow to play Egbertians in a cup game losing 4 – 3.

It is a lovely place to go and play football on a sunny autumn afternoon. Again injuries and absenteeism meant another shuffle to the back four and Arturs stepping in for Angus in goal. We knew it was going to be a tough game. BOE have been getting good results in SAL Division 2 and would fancy their chances against us. After some good initial possession we started to pass the ball well and put some good attacking moves together but could not convert them. After about 10 moins however the ball broke to Ackers who volleyed it home from about 14 yds giving their keeper no chance. We continued to play some good football and a particularly good passing move with a cross to the far post saw their defender pushing Snook to the ground and conceding a penalty which Ackers put away to give us a 2-0 lead. But while we were still contemplating this BOE struck back straight away. A good move down the right and a cross with a good first time strike changed the game. We were no longer in control and BOE came at us and we looked far from assured. They took advantage of a misunderstanding in our defence and it was level. Both sides had chances to score as the very open cup game went from end to end. This was how the game continued into the second half. I felt we had the worst of a couple of off side calls but with no linos it is bound to raise some controversial moments. We went head on the hour a very good move starting from a Rat clearance and a good quick passing movement saw Vanny running on to a through ball and finishing very neatly. Ackers completed his hat trick and ended the scoring when he turned in a corner that BOE failed to clear. We held on but it never quite felt comfortable. This was agood away win but it would be nice to get some of our injured players back in the team and BOE are having the same difficulty. Our midfield of Tills, Snooks and Craig Usher did very well. Rat again organised the back with another dominant performance. Bosh and Vanny were always running at the BOE defence but a well deserved Ackers hat trick was the highlight of the day.

Team; Arturs (GK), Connor Murphy Al G, Rat, Will Low, Snooks, Tills (Capt.) Craig Usher, Bosh, Vanny (1) Ackers (3), Sub rolling Mike Kelly.

[Show slideshow]

(Surrey Premier Cup)

It’s a long journey down to Ash (nr Aldershot) on a Tuesday night but the lads all made it with varying times to spare. Traffic on the A3 was a nightmare. They started better than us and squandered a good breakaway opportunity but we quickly got into the game and it was an even contest but on 30 mins they were awarded a penalty. Nothing dubious about it, as everyone agreed after the game, it just was not one. They scored and immediately from the kick off, with a sense of burning injustice, we conceded a free kick and they chipped it across the box for a very good headed goal.Our heads did not drop but we responded really well to that and pulled one back just before half time with Ackers dispossessing their defender and tucking it away. A great run down the right from Vanny set up Snooks at the near post but their keeper made agood save to stop us going in level at half time. We equalised pretty much straight after half time when Bosh ran through from the half way line beating 2/3 defenders a one two and shot which keeper did well to parry but Snooks slotted the rebound home. We pressed very hard for the winner and had some good chances. Angus had to make a couple of important and brave saves but we looked the most likely to win it but we failed to clear another generously awarded  free kick and eventually it was rifled home from close range for the winner. We looked a very good side. Rat organised our defence really well and had an absolute stand out performance. Ben Cook and the full backs Connor and Tony were disciplined and solid.  The midfield of Will Low, Tills and Snooks really played well together and controlled passages of the game with passing and movement. Will is having a great season. Ackers was back to his old self with some great control on a difficult surface. Bosh and Vanny were a handful with pace. Peter Quainton came down to help out knowing he would be on the bench but it is help like that a team needs and he did well when he came on. Tills captain stood in as main organiser and motivator and did brilliantly. So why did we lose. Well Ash were a decent side they had two or three very good players, strong and skilful and were well organised. They took their chances and played to their strengths and had a good slice of fortune. That, I am afraid, is football. Ash is a nice friendly hospitable football club and even though it was a defeat it was a pretty good evening.  The Ref and Linos did not have a bad game but unfortunately for us he got one big decision wrong and you only have to watch Match of the day on any given Saturday to know that is football. Thanks to Steve and Mckenzie for coming down and helping organise and to our travelling army of supporters and to Ash Utd F C for their hospitality.  Max Herbert

Team: Angus Lees (GK) Tony P, Connor Murphy, Rat, Ben Cook, Will low, Snooks, Tills (Capt) Bosh, Vanny , Snooks. Ackers. Sub Peter Quainton.

Saturday 15^th November

5pm – 10.30pm

Tickets £10 Adults, £5 Kids

England v Slovenia live on TV in the bar…..

Italian wines

Dress code – famous Italians / Italian Job 60s version of course

Event ends around 10.30pm ish – so fancy dressers can move on………………..

U12s lost 5-4 at home vs Carshalton Ath Greens.
Scorers were
Mason 2
Fabian 2
MOM Mckenzie

U11s won 3-1 away vs Raynes Pk Vale Reds.
MOM Thomas

U8s had a friendly tournament at Mitcham Park and finished 3rd, the results were;
Lost 4-0 vs Sutton Utd
Won 2-1 vs Mitcham Pk
Lost 4-1 vs AC Fulham

Only 3 games played this weekend, the 1s played Old Salesians at their new ground in Ewell beating the 3 – 2, two goals by Chisanga (one a left foot screamer) and Snooks.  The 2s played Carshalton at home beating them 3 – 0.  The 3s game got called off due to Southgate not having enough players.  The 4s and 5s didn’t have a game.  The 6s played Old Suttonians in the AFA Intermediate Novets Cup losing 2 – 1 with their winning goal in the last seconds of the final whistle.