FACT FILE
TEAM: 5s
POSITION: Left back/Left Wing/Centre Back
BIRTH DATE: 1986
BIRTH PLACE: Tooting
CLUBS: Barons (links league, under 14)

RAPID FIRE
Childhood Team: Chelsea FC
Favourite team outside the UK: LA Galaxy
Childhood Hero: David Beckham
Favourite Food: Pizza
Favourite Drink: Monster Ripper
Favourite Band: Foo Fighters

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS OUTRED

1. Tell us who is Chris Outred outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?
I’d say am an easy going guy, little shy to be people who don’t know me. Love my video games, and anything zombie related. Love having a laugh with friends.
2. How did you end up at Merton FC?
My younger brother Dan got me started at Merton in the 09/10 season.

3. What was your best moment
in your MFC career till now?
11/12 season – last match before the Christmas break, we needed to win to stay top of the league, we were 2 nil down at half time. The 5s managed to get back to 2-2. We then got a free kick on the edge of the box on the right hand side. I stepped up and and put it top left of the goal.

4. If you could play for a professional team,
which would be it and why?
Chelsea FC, big fan I’d love to play at the Bridge.

5. Do you have any pre-match
rituals or superstitions?
Just the order I get changed.

6. Lastly, share us your thoughts
for the rest of the season.
Finish the season as strong as possible so the club can strengthen over the summer.

FACT FILE

TEAM: 6s

POSITION: Centre half/left back

BIRTH DATE: 1983

BIRTH PLACE: Croydon Town

CLUBS: Junior Greens & Main Royal Blues (Wallington Little League)

RAPID FIRE

Player of the season (so far): Alexis Sanchez

Childhood Team: Arsenal FC

Favourite team outside the UK: Shanghai Shenhua

Childhood Hero: Super Ted

Favourite Food: Extra large doner kebab

Favourite Drink: Carling

Favourite Band: Kasabian

Interview Questions with Kevin Locke

1. Tell us who is Kevin Locke outside of the club.

What do you do, how would you describe yourself?

I work for the home office (just a desk job!!).

I would describe myself as a larger than life

character who loves a laugh and a drink. I also

enjoy playing golf and the occasional night carp

fishing (how rock and roll!!)

2. How did you end up at Merton FC?

Through hope and desperation! Plus I knew some

of the first team.

3. What was your best moment

in your MFC career till now?

Scoring my debut goal for the club recently!

4. If you could play for a professional team,

which would be it and why?

I would play for the mighty Tottenham and

concede numerous penalties and own goals so

they get relegated.

5. Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

I always have a 6 piece KFC bargain bucket and a boost bar prior to the game.

6. Lastly, share us your thoughtsmfor the rest of the season.

My thoughts are that I hope the club can get through to the end of the season with all six teams in tact and then build strongly for the future. Also hope the club can win their cup final in a few weeks time.

This week saw us travel to 2^nd place Carshalton following a hefty 10-0 decent to the hand on West Wickham last time out. Following two no-shows, we were restricted to a squad of 12 however this meant that we were able to start the game with 11 unlike last week. Going into the game, confidence was low following the dismal season we have had so far but like all Merton teams, we pulled together and worked as a unit. Even though the game ended in a 2-1 defeat, the team put in the best performance of the season. Conceding within the first 30 seconds everyone thought that another drubbing was on the cards. Fortunately we gathered ourselves, with the midfield and defence staying strong and compact, to limit the opposition to mostly long range efforts. Midway through the first half we score, a converted square ball into the bottom right hand corner. We conceded the eventual winner near the end of the first period. A loose ball failed to be cleared leaving their number 10 with a free effort that found its way through a crowd of defenders and the keeper.

We finished the game with 10 men due to Dan Gridley being shown a harsh red for dissent late on.

There are so many positives to take from the game, if we can carry these into the remaining fixtures there is no reason why we can’t cause more problems for those opposing us. Everyone deserves a huge pat on the back for the performance, however a big mention has to go to Josh Bennett for another solid performance all over the park with that ‘Never Say Die’ attitude, proving that he is a benefit to Merton.

With this new found confidence we look forward to our next game. FINAL SCORE: 2–1 MOTM: Josh Bennett

TEAM: Ben Macey (GK), Clive Corrigon, Danny Gridley, John Gridley, Edward Plaistow (Capt.), Aaron Ackerman, Chris D, Josh Bennett, Chris Outred,  Dulanie Richards, Steve Cross. Subs. Kieran Yansen

The date was Valentines Day, and the sixes of Merton were in no mood to show the opposition any love.

After a long and eventful journey to the home of the Civil Service, it was surprising that all the players were on time.  More of a surprise was that Harry was there first!!

After the pitch that saw the demise of our cup run last week, it was great to see the sight of some green grass and no puddles.  At least we couldn’t blame the playing surface this week!

Anyway, with kick off fast approaching, Steve gave his team talk and made sure the lads were focused on the game and not on whether they were going to get a sexy valentines surprise from their Mrs when they got home!

The team lined up as follows:

Martin (Merton’s number 1!) in goal, a back four of Paul, Dazza, Steve (Gaffer) and Smithy (c). The midfield saw the return of the mighty Ram and Rob in the centre with Ryan and Harry on the wings, up top was new boy Nikhill and Nuno.  Subs were Jonny O and Ruben.

Anyway after losing the toss AGAIN! We were kicking off and from the start it seemed that the majority of the team had forgotten how to kick a ball!!

After a good 15 minutes of miskicks and misplaced passes and not being to be able to get out of our half, it was unsurprising that Civil Service took the lead, all be it under fortuitous circumstances.  A cross from there left caught out Martin and lobbed over him into the back of the net.  Was this the start of another Merton thumping!!

Well after roughly 25 minutes, it looked like the writing was on the wall as Civil Service doubled their lead!  Merton still having not started the game properly, failed to clear their lines and a weak shot was sent in, which was going wide and with Martin forgetting he could his hands, miscontrolled the ball and it managed to go in the back of the net!!  2 – 0 to Civil Service and things were not looking good!!!

Now a turning point for the Mighty Sixes, instead of the usual heads going down and Smithy throwing his toys out of the pram!  The team decided to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in and try to make a game of it!!  Now the misplaced passes were finding their targets and Merton were playing some decent stuff!!

Roughly with 10 minutes to play in the half, the ball was played into the Civil Service box and Ruben, on as a sub, controlled the ball and rolled the ball back to Ram who hit a screamer of a left footed shot into the corner of the net!!  His first goal of hopefully many for his new club and was fully deserved.  Maybe there was some hope for Merton to get something out of this game!!

As the half was approaching its conclusion, it was now Merton playing the better football.

It was literally the last kick of the half when Merton got there fully deserved equaliser!!

After a lovely scramble in the Civil Service box, which resulted in a Civil Service player handling the ball off the line, the ball was finally poked in by Nuno!!  Great celebrations from the Merton players followed and there was no time left in the half for Civil Service to reply!!  2-2 at half time and the come back was complete.

The ref said he would of given a penalty if we hadn’t scored which would have probably resulted in a red card for the civil service, it would have been a nice change for us to be playing against 10 man for once, not the other way round, but it wasn’t to be!!

The half time team talk was complete and with light refreshments we were ready to push on for the victory.

The second half started and again it was an even contest, with both teams having chances and Martin making some great saves.  He even managed to save a lobbed shot from his own defender, whereby Steve who got “his little toe” to a clearance and from a fully 30 yards, nearly had a disaster!!

Merton did have a chance whereby we broke and with Ryan playing in Smithy, who was under a bit pressure managed to scare the corner flag with an outside of the boot shot!!

As the half wore on the mighty Merton legs were tiring and the younger Civil Service team was taking more risks.

Eventually there pressure told and quick break meant there new striker had a one on one and slotted it in the corner, making it 3-2 to Civil Service!!

Again credit to the Mighty Merton 6’s, their heads never dropped and nearly found an equaliser, whereby Nuno skilfully took on there defence and had one on one chance cleared off the line!!  We all thought it was in but the ref could not see if it had crossed the line, our celebrations were short lived.  To be fair to the ref, he had a really good and fair game and there was no way he could see it from where he was.

I think that deep down we knew that was our chance and with the game ending Civil Service broke and Martin made a wonderful tackle outside his box, but unfortunately the ball bounced kindly to there player and he lobbed the ball into an empty net!  4 – 2 to civil service

The ref then blew the final whistle and Civil Service knew they had fought hard for victory.  4-2 was flattering scoreline as Merton never gave up and was always in the game, but once again another defeat!!

Lets hope we can take this performance forward into the next game as we proved to ourselves we are a good team when we get going!!!

MATCH RATINGS:

Martin 7 (never let his mistake get to him and made some great saves!)

Paul 8 (made numerous runs up the line and put his foot in for the cause)

Steve 7 (almost scored an OWN GOAL!, was solid throughout)

Dazza 7 (great performance until fatigue set it!!)

Smithy 7 (again im writing this!!! Had a disaster for 15 mins but then stepped up and had one his better games!)

Harry 6 (not one of his better performances, was playing in a new position so to be fair needed to get upto speed quickly! It takes a man to admit a bad performance and that’s what Harry said, so fair play to him!

Rob 7 (solid in the middle of midfield then centre back, brought a calm head to a panicking defence!)

Ram 8 (had a great game, and scored with a great finish – great lad to have in the team and has settled in nicely!)

Nikhill 7 (another new lad and settled into Merton life straight away, a nice bloke and had a good game.  Hopefully this result doesn’t put him off!!)

Nuno 7 (Good game from Nuno, caused there defence problems and scored so all round a good day!)

Ruben 7 (good game from coming off the bench, set up a goal and put a real shift in!)

Jonny O 6 (good game from Jonny, nearly scored with a 30 yarder and even showed some skill by completely mugging there midfielder!)

I think that’s it, see you all next week at Bank of England!!!!!!!

Oh there was one more thing…… you didn’t think I would forget… the MVP!!

This week, I think the whole team played well, but I think this player had his best game in a Merton shirt.  Step up Ryan!!!  Had a great game down the wing and pushed forward when he could and protected the great Smithy well!!  Put in numerous tackles and made some great passes, most of all never gave up!  Have a can of coke on me!!

“If you have a problem, if no-one else can help, and if you can find them him, maybe you can hire The A-Team Dan Kelly”

Southgate 1 – 7 Merton 3s (Dan Kelly x5, David Quainton x2)

Saturday’s visit to Southgate will be remembered for a number of unique Merton FC records – the longest half ever played, the first time that a team’s seven goal haul was exceeded only by the number of disallowed goals and the first time there were more incorrect offsides than players on the pitch.

The 3s travelled made the long trip to Winchmore Hill, supported by the short-notice addition of The A-Team from Merton 2s. The match started quickly and soon revealed that support from The A-Team was not wanted or needed as Dan Kelly took it upon himself to single-handedly run the show with a hat-trick in the first ten minutes of the game – all three goals stemming from clever runs in behind followed by cool finishes. David Quainton showed desperation to join Dan on the score sheet by violently assaulting colleagues to rid himself of competition and nod home a couple of beautifully floated crosses from an ‘injured’ Richard Eggleston. Amidst a flurry of ‘offsides’ and disallowed goals, Dan Kelly added his fourth to take Merton into the break with an unassailable 6-0 lead – a welcome buffer after the referee played 61 minutes on an atrocious, energy-sapping pitch with inexplicable justification (“I’ve added ten minutes because the ball went on the road twice” … a sum total of about 60 seconds of disruption).

In the second half, Dan Kelly continued his relentless assault on Southgate’s goal with another strong finish. Southgate did manage a quiet response – a deflected through ball landed nicely to their striker to finish calmly past Alex Herbert, but it was an isolated move against otherwise one-way traffic. Merton remained in cruise control for the rest of the match, playing the ball around nicely to close out a very one-sided game.

MOM: Dan Kelly

A day at the Bank.

It is always a pleasure to have an away game at the Bank of England. It is nice and close, good facilities, good bar and food great pitches and a nice bunch of guys that run the club and are very welcoming.

Knowing that BOE’s 1s had a AFA senior quarter final cup tie against Old Wilsonians I pitched up early so I could catch the first half hour or so. It was good to see a strong line up of officials for that game.

Picture from left to right. Phil Cook (OWCs) Richard Melvin (Kew Ass) and  Pat Morrisey (Old Sals). Particularly good to see Pat running the line as i had heard that he had not been well. The first half hour was quite even although there were signs that OWs were getting on top and the BOE keeper mada a couple of saves. As the pics show the Bank wore a Chelsea change kit while their 2s lined up in the Chelsea home kit.

So on to the 2s game. This was a bit of a disappointing result but it was far from a disappointing game.  Both sides played some good passing football on a good surface taking all things into consideration, like a comparison with Jo Hood. Although we got on top the Bank were always dangerous and slightly against the run of play went ahead after about 20 mins with a good move down the right a cross and powerful shot that Sherbs saved well but the Bank striker got to the rebound first and fired home. We cam at them very strongly after that and their goal had a charmed life. Thier keeper made some good saves and it was good to see as he is just coming back from 6 months off with a back problem. He played well with no ill effects. Our equaliser was  a great move down the right and a cross which Jase fired home. In the second half we went ahead with another great goal Jase firing home from the edge of the box after being set up by Will T. We did not add to that and it never looked to be quite enough and an equaliser came with 15 mins to go when Sherbs could only parry a terrific strike through a ruck of players, saw it late did well to get a foot to it etc etc etc  and their sub who had come on tucked it away I say he had come on but he had been offside most of the time that he was on.. WE ended up hanging on at the end and they did hit the post. So a point was probably fair. We did not take our first half chances and paid the price. The game was not played in the best spirit as we had some poor behaviour from both teams and with the ref being fair but a non interventionist it could have got ugly. It did for a bit. All in all a good day out. Jase with 2 goals got his Man of the Match award and dubious trophy.

[Show slideshow]

Merton 3  (0)  Alleyns O.B.  3 (1)  AET Merton win on pens 4-2.

AFA Senior Surrey/Kent semi final  at the Hub Tooting and Mitcham Ground 14^th February 2015

Scorers :  Bosh 2. Ackers (pen)

This was a brilliant win for Merton securing a place in the AFA surrey/Kent senior final (14t March at Poly). It was done the Merton Way with plenty of drama. With the Hood unplayable the game was switched to a 4.15 KO on the 3G floodlit pitch at the Hub in Mitcham. We started quite well and it was a surprisingly physical encounter; 3G tends to be amore dainty affair but not this time. We more than held our own with greater possession but created openings with shots wide from outside the penalty area, whilst they missed a couple of chances but they went ahead after half an hour when some sloppy defending gave them  an opening which they finished well. Half time and no panic but we became guilty of giving the ball away too often and too easily. This lead to Alleyns seizing on mistakes and scoring twice to make it 3-0 with 25 mins to go. This did not look too promising particularly as we were unsettled and had lost our way a bit. Bosh replacing Vanny who had worked so hard and Dan Whiteman while Tills took a breather , came on and their fresh legs and industry made a change. But we also settled down and went back to patient passing and build up. Ackers and Rat were combining well down the right and Dan and Ali G down the left. This brought our rewards with Bosh finishing  twice in quick succession.  3-2 and very interesting. We pressed hard  for the equaliser and they had a hard job clearing corners and scrambling it away. We had a good shout for a penalty denied. We were dominating in midfield with Will, Snooks, Woody and Tills running their socks off. With time running out another handball and a penalty which Ackers coolly slotted  3-3 and extra time.  The 2 x 15mins flashed by and we could not finish it. Bosh came closest flashing a couple of chances wide. And so to pens. We started the shoot out and Ackers and Woody fired home brilliantly for 2-2. Then Woody stepped up and scored but their man fired high and wide and not for him very handsomely. Al G made it 4-2 and their man had to score or they were out. Real pressure and he started badly by putting the ball on the wrong spot at about 18yds and having to respot and then firing close to Angus who saved. Celebrations were cut short as the Lino was flagging for Angus moving forward. But their lad did no better the second time and it was a memorable well celebrated win.   Clappers did a brilliant job of organising the team and Browner’s pace was tested by their very quick, very young forwards. This was a brilliant all round team performance. It was not an easy game to referee but the officials did a good job. Well done to Clappers and the boys . Book the date 14^th March at Poly.

[Show slideshow]

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