This was an interesting game which I was able to keep an eye on whilst also watching the 2s game on the adjacent pitch. Both games contained a lot of good passing football and Merton scored 4 goals in the second half of each game.  In the first half whilst Merton created a lot of opportunities their finishing let them down and HSBC were always dangerous on the break and it was on the break that undid Merton in unusual circumstances

HSBC’s attacker was through on goal when our man, Mark Chappell tugged him back. A red card offence you may think. But play continued with the ref seemingly playing an advantage which would have been a good one had he not blown up just before HSBC stuck the ball in the net. Uproar!!!  But the ref called both captains over and consulted them on what to do seemingly at great length and then awarded the goal and yellow carded our man. 1-0 down but 11 men on the pitch. (There is no truth in the ugly rumour that their captain was insisting Chappell should stay on the pitch whilst ours was quite certain he should go.)

The second half was very different with our boys finishing off their good football and overrunning HSBC. This was a very welcome good performance and the game was played in a good spirit and well done to the referee. Neil Davison (pic) had another good game at the centre of all good things for Merton. It is great to have him back at Merton and his contribution on and off the pitch is appreciated.

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This was a welcome win after a succession of defeats for ‘Team Handsome’ EBOG after a succession of good results were top of Intermediate Div 2 but were well under strength, probably as aresult of such an off putting difficult journey. In contrast our reserves welcomed back a number of players from injury and put on a particularly impressive display of passing football which in the first but for some woeful finishing should have put the game to bed. But it was only 1-0 at half time with Richard Moore’s goal driving home from 10 yds after some sustained pressure the only difference. To keep the lead Sherbs had made a particularly good save from their No 11 who was one of their 3 or 4 very good players in their team. The second half had continued much as the first with Merton even more dominant but EBOG’s quality players always dangerous on the break. The after having missed a one on one chance Femi (MOM pic) marked his return to the side with a couple of quick goals that broke EBOGs resolve. Richard Moore (Pic)added his second and the 4^th and Chris Rayner scored the 5^th to round off a satisfying day for Merton. Disappointing for EBOG and their frustration showed understandably with a late booking for their No 11. One suspects the return in Barnet will be very different.

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Three trips up and down the north circular, Victoria and Northern lines in three successive Saturday’s and this time we were off to Crouch End for a typically testing battle on their first team ‘pitch’ which hadn’t seen any football since November. The good news for Browner was that no matter where he found himself he always had an excuse for his first touch but for others it meant that playing any real flowing football was going to be a challenge.

We didn’t start particularly well with Tills and Woody getting over run through the middle and the front three of Van, Bosh and Whiteman struggling to get hold of the ball to feet or in behind the Vamps back row. It was at the other end where a lot of the action was and Sherbs had to be on his toes to keep the scores level with a couple of smart stops from half chances. As the half wore on we began to dictate the play morethrough excellent play from Al G and Rat from full back whilst Snooks was enjoying more success throug the middle. Chances were starting to fall our way and after another marauding run down the right from Rat his deep cross found Bosh in space which he expertly guided past the keeper with a smart first time volley to put us one up. The second goal wasn’t far behind and this time Whiteman delivered from the right to find Tills whose header cannoned off the bar and was first to the rebound to turn the ball home to double our advantage going in to the break.

The second half began in the same vein as the first but this time the Vamps found a way past Sherbs (for the first time in three appearances)after some poor marking in our penalty box. We didn’t panic though and soon regained control of the game through decent spells of play down both flanks before Whiteman picked out Van with a pin point cross and his header squirmed through the keepers grasp to restore our two goal lead. Woody then polished the afternoon off nicely with a cross/shot from the touch line which found the far corner of the net and that was that. The hard work that a lot of the squad are putting in on Wednesday nights with Nathan is really paying dividends as we are looking stronger and fitter as games go on. With seven fixtures to go and promotion still very much up for grabs we must not take stop working hard and playing the football that has got us this far. Next week sees us return to action at the Hood against EBOG and thankfully the North Circ will be given a break.

MOM:

Team:Sherbs, Al G, Clappers, Browner, Graves, Tills (1), Woody (1), Snook, Van (1) (Marsh), Bosher(1), Whiteman (Manton)

Written by:James Tilley

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.

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.

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(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.