This fixture, BOE away, is a game the 6s was looking forward to, nice facilities, nice pitches and local. It’s a shame that the football being played by them wasn’t nice.

Kick off we started well for about 5 minutes, Matt should of put them 1 nil up, unfortunately left his shooting boots at home. From then on we looked like we had never played as a team before. BOE started their scoring and 20 minutes in they were 4 up, scoring a free kick, Steve whose not normally a goalkeeper was planted as ball was curl round the not well arranged wall and in the goal. Spanner gave the next goal away by taking down their forward in the box and the ref awarding a penalty, which the BOE player put in the back of the net. The next 2 goals came from us not clearing the defence and BOE taking advantage, Steve tried to save one effort, but started is diving save 5 minutes before and read the flight of ball wrong, although he did get a big toe to the ball but not enough to stop it going into the back of the net.

We tried to get something back before half time but there wasn’t many chances created. Rob tried to help by swapping Baz for Arnold and putting Harry back to full back to see if we could attack a bit more, but wihout much joy. We had a nice flat pitch which should of seen a lot more of the ball instead we played it more in the air rather on the ground.

Half time came and we all knew that we had to play a lot better in the next half, Steve took off the gloves as he wanted to count on his hand how many he let in and for a change there was a few hands going up for a volunteer to go between the sticks. The gloves went to Adam. Rob having endured watching what must of been like what the Sunderland fans watched that same afternoon, gave a team talk and explained where we were going wrong; I think turning up was the main problem. He told us what we should try and do to get back into the game, but that went through the player’s ears and straight out the other side.

They scored their fifth when Adam tried to catch a cross and fumbled it, dropping straight to one of their players who slotted into the net. We managed to get one back, with Nuno lobbing their keeper, could this of been the goal they needed to start the come back? Not really when they went on to score a further two more goals making it 7. Our second goal was scored off of Jon’s after the ball was hit by Arnold against the crossbar, falling straight onto his belly and across the line. Man of the Match went to Ryan for running endlessly, getting stuck in and playing in more positions than the Karma Sutra book.

Not a good day for the 6s and should of taken advantage of the nice pitch and tried to play some good football.

Next week a hard game against top of table Old Wilsonians 8, who have not lost a league game yet, could the 6s be that team to end their good run??

Team: Steve, Harry, Adam, Spanner, Smithy, Baz, Matt, Jay, Ram, Ryan, Nuno (1). Subs: Arnold, Jon (1), Nikhil.

Manager on the line: Rob

As Merton took the field of play

They needed goals galore

For this was not just any match

Today, was Score for Moore.

Yes, the build-up to this game was dominated by the absence of Merton liar Rich Moore. Keen to do their fallen comrade proud, the yellow army set about their mission of sealing three averagely valuable points.

Up against them was a tenacious Old Blues side keen to make amends after a defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. But Merton were fired up after what turned out to be one of the warm-ups of the season. Fast, powerful, electric and assured by the cool, calm and curly centre back pairing of Eggleston and Hitchcock, the front 6 were unrelenting in closing down and hassling Old Blues off the ball, and quick to release the brutal Jason Thomas and the astonishingly good looking Will Taylor up front.

It wasn’t long before the high intensity paid dividends. At just the second corner of the game, Hitchcock showed a rare flash of offensive brilliance. Picking his spot on the inside of the defenders shin, he angled a deflected effort that flew over the line and some seconds later hit the back of the net. 1-0.

But, like the next few weeks of Rich Moore’s life, this was to be no walk in the park. Old Blues hit back – a corner of their own turned into the net by an unmarked number 10 who had quite nice hair.

Cue Jason Thomas. The one man army spent ten minutes showing that bullying is not just for the playground. Thomas was both an immovable object and an unstoppable force, tearing holes in the Blues’ defence with a relentless energy. The rewards came quickly, with two goals in quick succession, the second a true poacher’s effort, capitalising on great pressure by Arogundade on the right.

Seeking a hat-trick and the opportunity to leave the pitch littered with Old Blues corpses, Thomas instead found himself the victim, landing elbow first after falling from a 13ft leap in the air and ending his involvement in the game.

The Merton momentum persisted, however, and it swiftly turned into the Will Taylor show. Striding forward with legs that wouldn’t be out of place on a prize racehorse, Taylor made mouths water as a bead of sweat dripped invitingly from his stylish headband onto his powerful neck. Even clad in Merton yellow, his rippling washboard abs dazzled defenders even when, for a brief moment, they took their eyes off the considerable, muscular thighs, all the more distracting because of the Welshman’s bespoke size XXS shorts. But it wasn’t all about his seductive eyes and impressive frame.

Moving into the second half, Taylor, having breezed past four defenders with consummate ease, paused just long enough before pulling his sizeable trigger to think “what would Richie Moore do?”. And just like that, without a defender in sight, he hurled himself to the ground in a manner of which the stricken Moore would have been proud. A timely reminder of why the team was so motivated.

The referee, quite rightly, reached for his pocket immediately, taking Taylor’s name, shirt and home number before showing him a deserved yellow. Taylor scored two goals.

Old Blues rallied, notching again from a corner after lazy marking from Eggleston, but it was at best a consolation as Merton saw the game out for a handsome 5-2 victory.

Mission accomplished. A hard-fought victory, but with the hilarious thought of a bedridden teammate engrained in Merton minds, the determination to score for Moore carried them through and secured what will almost certainly be an inconsequential victory.

Once the players assembled in the changing room from the 3s, 4s, 5s & 6th teams, we had the bare 11 players, with plenty of experience and good spirits after some good results but a different line up.

The game itself was a very scrappy affair on a hard & uneven pitch with an opposition who liked appealing for everything and haven’t changed in all years I played against them. In addition the referee who gave some odd (being polite) decisions including a penalty against us. That woke us up abit Patrick score from 40 yards after a clearance following the referee stopping the game for an injury in there box, which was where the game finished at half time.

The second half was much the same scrappy because of the conditions plus. CEV scored first again before Dan equalised from a good cross by Ed, however late on we were hit by two quick goals as we started to suffer with a lack on subs having picked up a couple of minor injuries and a few tired legs. Patrick score another screamer as we kept on pushing to achieve a result, however this wasn’t help with Josh having to go off.

Arturs made some were good saves which kept as in with a chance but in the end it was all in vain.

Well done to the team on a fine effort after a long journey.

TEAM: Arturs, Ed, Chris, Martin, Clive, Josh, Ryan, Patrick, Dulaine, Peter, Dan

Martin Quinlan

Following the text messages with Kevin, it looks if I be back in the 6th in goal as they’re missing me.

FACT FILE
TEAM: 3XI
POSITION: Centre Midfield… or various others!
BIRTH DATE: 22/08/1984
BIRTH PLACE: Hillingdon
CLUBS: Too many to list!

RAPID FIRE

Player of the season (so far): Eden Hazard
Childhood Team: Chelsea
Childhood Hero: David Beckham or Super Frankie Lampard
Favourite Food: Sushi
Favourite Drink: Whisky
Favourite Band: SClub7

INTERVIEW WITH DARCY YATES

1. Tell us who is Darcy outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
Work in the city for Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths and the Watch Shop.
Good laugh, happy go lucky lad

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
Tony dragged me down.

3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Various

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
England. Great privilege to represent your country.

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Need a Boost chocolate bar and some Jelly babies

6. Lastly, share us your thoughts for the rest of the season.
Few games left, hopefully we can continue our better form…!
Will be good to see the 1st team win the cup.

FACT FILE
TEAM: 2XI, 3XI & 4XI
POSITION: Goalkeeper
BIRTH DATE: 23/08/1987
BIRTH PLACE: Liepaja, latvia
CLUBS: Old Sedcopians

RAPID FIRE
Player of the season (so far): David de Gea
Childhood Team: SK Liepajas Metalurgs
Favourite team in the UK: West Ham Utd
Favourite team outside the UK: FK Liepaja

Childhood Hero: Batman
Favourite Food: Pizza
Favourite Drink: Tea
Favourite Band: Oasis, Prata Vetra (Brainstorm) & Rammstein

INTERVIEW WITH ARTURS IVANOVS

1. Tell us who is Arturs outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I would consider myself as a nice and friendly person who`s quiet and has a relaxed and analytical approach to life.
I like to spend my time outdoors and have a good night out with friends. Football is my number one sport, but I like to get involved in almost any competitive sporting activities.
I currently work for an online contact lens retailer as a stock controller. Occasionally I enjoy reading a good book.

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
One of my Thursday`s 5 a side teammates plays for the 1`s and he got me playing for Merton.

3. What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?
Several clean sheets in a row in my debut 2013/2014 season.

4. If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?
FK Liepaja, it would be always an honour to play as the No. 1 for your childhood team.

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
Just a reminder to myself- If I screw up, they probably will lose the game.

6. Lastly, share us your thoughts for the rest of the season.
Win as much games as possible without cancelling other fixtures and recruit more players in off season.

AFA Surrey Surrey/Kent  Senior Cup Final  at Polytechnic Sports Ground 14^th March 2015.

Honorable Artillery Company (HAC) 2  Merton 1 (HT 1-0)

This was a very good event as all Cup Finals are. The team arrived good and early for the match under a 3 line whip from Clappers to wear a club tie and jeans were forbidden. And the team responded to Clappers relief and Terry’s approval. The collection of ties in Friday afternoon had been a good displacement activity and dispelled any pre match anxiety. Team photos and introductions. The AFA were well represented by a past President stalwart John Wilson who has always been such a supporter of ours. Pat Ryan and his assistants were there early and Pat gave each of the sides a bottle of Champagne which was a great sporting touch. Poly had the pitch marked out and in great condition.  The only problem was the wind and we kicked into it in the First half.

With the aid of the wind HAC had the better of the first half having their first and possibly one of their best chances in the first minute. We took our time to get into any sort of rhythm as we seemed to rush our passing in their half and gave the ball away a little too easily. We had one good shout for a penalty when Woody was tripped  but a defensive lapse on 25 mins enabled HAC to take acrucial advantage into the second half.

With the wind now helping us we dominated the second half territorially. We equalised after about 15 minutes when Snooks played Ackers in who finished decisively. There seemed plenty of time to get the winner and Ackers again finished with a brilliant header but was offside. With extra time looming and us pressing a second defensive blunder gave HAC the lead and with only a few minutes left we ran out of time. We had one last good shout for a pen but it was ruled outside the area. And so the whistle went and HAC from the Amateur Football Combination had won the Cup. It was a close game and they were a good side. They had a lot of movement and 3 or 4 exceptional players. Two of their midfielders and the centre backs did very well for them. Congratulations to them and thanks to Polytechnic for staging this final so well.  I always enjoy Pat Ryan’s reffing and it is obvious that he enjoys reffing matches. The other officials supported him well and were very friendly in the bar after.

I was proud of our team for their performance before, during and after the game and apparently they carried on well into the night Putney’s Star and Garter and beyond. They represented our club with great credit.  We came very close to winning this cup and even closer to getting the trophy as Clappers nearly walked off with it at the presentation. The disappointment of our team is clear from the photos but they now will put that behind them and get to grips with our remaining league fixtures.

Thanks also to those who were able to come and support the boys; A good smattering of Merton Vets and youth managers and the 2s whose game finished early.

Team.   Angus (GK)   Rat,  Browner,  Clappers (Capt),  Jonesy, Woody, Snooks, Tills, Will Low,(Dan W) Ackers, Vanny (Bosh) Sub not used Will Taylor

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ►

Despite us only having 7 players available, the boys elected to play the match instead of forfeiting. To me this decision already made them winners, they should be very proud of themselves.

Kew Park kicked off and surged forward and scored within the first 30 seconds, it was offside but the ref allowed the goal to stand, we took the centre kick and quickly lost possession, Kew once again surged forward in numbers and scored again. 2-0 down.

Once again we kicked off but this time it was a different story, we kept possession of the ball with some excellent passing and the ball eventually found Chris through on goal, Kew’s keeper came rushing out which managed to distract Chris and his shot narrowly missed the target. This seemed to spur the boys on and for the next 20mins Chris, Mason and Mckenzie all had shots saved by the Kew’s keeper. Half time was approaching and not a moment too soon because the boys were shattered, but just before the whistle, Kew’s nippy striker ran onto a through ball and he neatly slotted the ball into the net, 3-0 HT.

We kicked off for the second half and kept possession well, Mason’s lovely timed through ball found Chris who took on 2 defenders and buried the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, the keeper had no chance of reaching it. 3-1.

For the next 10mins the match was fast flowing, end to end, which took its toll on our boys and with Kew having 2 extra players on the pitch they managed to score 3 more goals dispite some great defending from Jack and Mckenzie, and some brave goalkeeping from Jamie.

Man of the Match: Mckenzie for his determination, commitment, leadership and his great defending.

Well done U12s.

It was a beautiful Spring afternoon in early March. The sun was beaming down on the ‘the Hood’.

Merton’s 3^rd team were due to play Old Wilsonians 3rds.

Another Merton 3^rd team game meant a lucky dip of players.

Thankfully the Merton boys all arrived in good spirt and on time, which is a rarity! This was more than could be said about the Ref.

3pm came and both teams are basking in the glorious sunshine, awaiting the arrival of the Ref. A few phone calls later, we were advised that there was no referee L (Not sure what happened there Chapel!). Thankful, Lee stepped up (or was rather per pressured into) and agreed to Ref the game.

Merton went 0-2 down after 2 identical goals from set pieces. 40min into the 1^st half and Merton started to knock the ball around nicely and scored (1-2). 2minutes later, seconds before the first half whistle went, Merton scored again, making it 2-2 at half time.

After a strong team talk, the Merton boys were back out smelling blood… however, it was Old Wilsonians who made the first move and scored another identical goal, making it 2-3.

Not to be downhearted, Merton started passing the ball around with precision and pace, and soon found themselves 7-3 up. Immense goals from: Darcy Yates, Dan Kelly, Dave, Ricardo x2, 1 OG (which Kelly is trying to claim) and someone else (can’t remember).  Also there was a great strike by Jaime Scott who hit the bar…

Great all round performance by the Merton boys who stood up to the challenge.

Great effort from Lee to agree to Ref the match as well, and a surprisingly good referee!

At last the warm spring sunshine paid a visit to the borough of Merton and this meant a reasonably dry Joseph Hood and FINALLY a home game for the Mighty Sixes.  For once we were giving the players our home ground sat nav post code, as most players forgot where our home ground was (Nuno and Harry)!

Today’s opponents were the Civil Service and with Steve away for the weekend teaching his dog how to lick pedigree chum off his nuts at Crufts!  Smithy gave a team talk that revolved around seeking retribution for the undeserved defeat against them a few weeks prior.

The team consisted of Smithy “the cat” in goal, back four of Harry, Rob, Adam and Baz.  The midfield was made up of Jay, Ram, Ryan and Fraser with Matty and Nuno up top.  A warm welcome back for “MO” who had to settle for a place on the bench.

Once again Smithy lost the toss and the match was about to start.

The pitch resembled a boggy sandpit and cow field, which most people would think would ruin the free flowing passing game of the sixes!  How wrong they would have been to judge, as the sixes made the game look easy with some meaty tackles and some great passing and movement.  Could this be the Mighty Merton sixes realising there potential as a good team.

With Smithy barking out defensive orders from the back, playing as sweeper rather than a goalie and surviving a hospital back pass from Rob it looked like the defence would not be breached.

It came as no surprise when Merton took the lead after approx. 25 mins with Nuno once again pouncing a loose ball to drill home (and yes he did shoot!!).  1-0 to the Merton!!

We were bossing the game and the Civil Service were finding it tough going.

With the game meandering towards half time up stepped a moment of magic from Matty!  With a free kick awarded on the touch line, up stepped Matty with an out swinging free kick that lobbed the goalkeeper.  It was a great strike, although it was a fluke and if Smithy had been further up the pitch would made a left footer take it!!  2-0 to Merton and the players and most of the Hood were in dreamland!!

The might Merton should have made it 3 with some pin football in their area which resulted in us hitting the bar twice in succession!

Half time came and for once there was no arguing and only positives things to say – that made a change!!

Second half we started the same way and defended superbly with Adam having a stormer and even Baz only managing 1 foul throw thus far! Could this be our day!!

Things did get interesting when they scored approx. 15 mins into the half, with a controversial goal.  The ball came across the 6 yard box and there striker was waiting to pounce!  But a superb safe from Smithy denied him and then saved the rebound for us to clear.  But our joy was short lived as the ref had given a goal.  Merton were in disarray as we thought it did not cross the line nor could he not see clearly enough, but the goal was given.  This was second time against Civil Service we have been caught up in a goal line row, as we thought previously we had scored against them when they were at home!  Oh well never mind, I think the SAL should invest in goal line technology!!

Then just as we were getting our focus back on the game, a long throw in was launched in the area and Rob was adjudged, very harshly to have his arms over the defender!!  PENALY TO CIVIL SERVICE!!

With Smithy doing his best Grobbelaar impression and Ryan shouting he will sky it, the penalty was missed!! Unbelievable Geoff!!!

The half was played with high intensity and the challenges were going in to make a great spectacle, if this was on Sky Sports this surely would be game of the day!  On came Mo for Ram, then Ram on for Ryan who was injured!  Ryan did put in some great tackles, which shows how tough he is when not relying on his dad to fight for him!!

Then with approx. 20 mins left, our little maestro Fraser Neville provided the Merton Sixes with a goal of the season contender (only Smithy’s can rival this!).  With the ball bouncing a fully 30 yards from goal, he spun and hit a great shot into the top corner.  What a goal and the players went wild in celebration!!  3-1 to Merton FC.

With Merton surely on their way to victory, maybe over complacency creped in and the Civil Service scored from an extremely tight angle with a well powered shot. 3-2!!!

With Merton defending deeper and deeper and giving away numerous free kicks on the edge of our box the equaliser finally came approx. 5 mins from the end.

It was a well powered shot which went through about three players legs and with Smithy unsighted, could only get strong hand onto the ball and it just sneaked over the line!!  Heartbreak for Merton!!!

We still had a chance right at the death with Nuno dancing round there defence and with the last defender to beat was tackled! Oh well Nuno never mind mate, it would have been a great goal!!

So the game finished 3-3 and it was a classic!!  Positives to take were that it was probably the best we had played as a team this season and at last we are finally clicking into gear (even though it’s a tad too late!!)

One last thing the MVP…….. this week I am going to give it to Adam Prior – who had an absolute stroming game, great lad to have on board!!!  And by the way his nickname is Beans!! This was because his face looked like beans on toast at school (so someone tells me!).

Let’s take the positives into next week’s game and play the same way on that carpet of a football pitch at Bank of England!!

Oh and good luck to the 1’s on their cup final against some weapons team – make sure you take out their sniper of a striker (get it?)

Over and out Smithy!!

EBOG Reserves 2 – 1 Merton Reserves

Saturday 7^th March 2015

Attendance: c.10

As has become Team Handsome routine for north London away trips, Saturday started at Giraffe at Kings Cross where a wonderful session of coffee, snacks and compliment exchanges was enjoyed by all. Richard Moore elected to turn up without wearing any Merton attire and received his first strike of the day. Willy T, having travelled down from his north London home to receive some compliments, then enjoyed a relatively hassle-free trip back up the Northern line with the rest of the team save for the now-standard attention the team receives from the female half of the general public.

Shortly before reaching the EBOG clubhouse, after a reasonably long walk from the tube, Richard Moore decided he couldn’t wait to get to the toilets and relieved himself in some nearby bushes. An EBOG spectator stopped his car to express his displeasure at this turn of events. Strike two.

Fast forward to game time. The cliché ‘a game of two halves’ is thrown around a lot but this one really was. The first half being approximately 45 minutes and the second half roughly the same. The referee for the day really was a phenomenal time keeper – nothing more, nothing less.

At Handsome HQ we’re more than happy to come up with a range of excuses when we don’t win. The pitch was really terrible and unfortunately conducive to a long ball game which really isn’t what the current Handsomes are all about. We set up as a 3-5-2 which has worked well for us in the past but, on this pitch, a 5-0-5 might have worked better. Most of the early chances fell to Merton but the lottery of the bounce and some less than ideal finishing meant we didn’t capitalise.

Richard Moore was the victim of the first of 3 stonewall penalty shouts that Merton had turned down by the referee. The challenge itself being a wild, stud-up lunge taking man, ball and then more man. Richard unfortunately had to go off and was taken to the Handsomes’ favourite north London hospital earning strike three (and a predator on his return from injury) in the process. Ryan or Liam Stevens came on to replace Richard.

Merton hit the post and blasted over from 2 yards in a goal mouth scramble from a corner but EBOG were the only team to score in the first half with a long ball finished well with a lob over the onrushing DQ.

Constant pressure from Merton in the second half again wasn’t rewarded. We hit the underside of the bar through big Jase from another corner and missed numerous other chances. Willy T was clearly fouled twice in the box. Firstly getting a free-kick on the edge of the box instead of a penalty and secondly, unfathomably, getting a yellow card for diving.

With about 20 minutes to go EBOG got their second from a fortunate floated free-kick that went straight in. Nothing that stand-in keeper DQ could have done about that.

Eventually Merton scored with about 10 minutes to go. Yet another corner that came back out to Rayner who crossed again for Ryan or Liam Stevens to head home well. Further pressure came to nothing though – Willy T, Rayner and Cookie all failing to do anything from 4 free-kicks, each one about 25 yards out.

Overall some good individual performances in difficult conditions but just not quite enough. CrUsher and Wilgo dominated their opposing central midfielders, Egg and Cookie did well at the back (Egg managing to complete at least 3 of his c.50 attempted passes) and Conor, on the right, did well to hold his own against a rather competitive lunatic playing at left back.

Stand out performers though were Ryan or Liam Stevens running the show in the second half in midfield and Joe Griffin marshalling the back 3. They went home with the topless portrait of Wilgo and Egg.

[Show slideshow]