Year: 2014

After a late pitch inspection on Saturday morning it was off to north London for our first league fixture of the year. Cooky and Jason Marsh came in for the injured Woody and Bosher but it was EBOG who came out of the blocks fasted using the big slope down the right flank to their advantage and finding space behind our back four with ease. It wasn’t long before Angus was picking the ball out of the net after we afforded their nippy number 10 too much time to set himself on the edge of the box and find the only corner of the net that was out of Angus’s reach. Not for the first time this season though we got the ball down in midfield and played our way back in to the game through the front three of Ackers, Snooks and Marshy. We came close on a couple of occasions before we found the equaliser through the in form Ackers. It was Snooks who harassed their right back in to conceding possession straight to Tills whose first time pass found our number 9 in enough space to turn and fire home powerfully from just inside the box for his fifth goal in as many games. In to the second half and our control of the game continued with a few close chances and questionable offside decisions before Marshy sprung the offside trap to cut the ball back to the edge of the box for the on rushing Tills to place a first time effort in to the far corner. We really should have extended the lead with the pick of the chances falling to Snooks, Browner and Cooky but fortunately we weren’t made to pay and after a nervy last 10 minutes where Angus and the back four were called in to action the final whistle came to confirm seven wins from seven and second place in the league consolidated. It was a good team performance and hard fought but deserved win against a well organised EBOG on what was a tricky pitch. Cooky and Marshy slotted in seamlessly demonstrating the squads strength in depth and we continue to play good football in the right areas of the pitch. On to the big one next week, away at Old Garchonians.

MOM:

Team:Angus, Graves, Clappers, Browner, Al G, Will L, Ben Cook (Manton 80), Tills (1), Snooks, Ackers (1), Jason Marsh (Whiteman 70)

Written by:James Tilley

Merton’s seven game winning run came to a disappointing end against the Bank of England on a wet and blustery day down at Tooting and Mitcham. We were slow out of the blocks giving possession away time after time and then offered them far to much time and space across the pitch. The only goal of the game came after fifteen minutes when Conor was beaten from close range by their dominant number nine. Bosher came on to replace the injured Will Low and had a great chance to level the scores with his first touch but his first time effort sailed over the bar. We then had the better of the possession and chances but lacked the cutting edge and decisiveness that has seen us climb to second in the table. We could have nicked a point in the closing stages when Boshers crisp volley almost found the top corner but it wasn’t meant to be. Take nothing away from Bank though who were much improved from the previous two encounters this season.

MOM:

Team:Conor, Al G, Graves, Brown, Dave, Cook, Tilley, Will (Bosher 20), snook, Jason M (Ivan 70), Ackers

Written by:James Tilley

After two home defeats on the 3G it was good to get back to grass and winning ways but this was as hard fought as it was welcome. Having lost our last two games and gone to all the trouble of renting and expensw of 3G it does seem that the more effort you make to play the game the less likely you are to get anything from it. Despite the long journey Norsemen is a great place to go with such good facilities and always a good competitive game. In Clappers absence Tills stepped up to captain and organise a rather makeshift team with quite a number of regulars missing from the line up. Despite that the team settled quicker than the opposition and created a number of chances. After just 3 mins Femi had a shot cleared off the line following a good passing movement. From the resultant corner Browner put a free header just wide. We created a few more chances but did not take them until 35 minutes when Jason Marsh latched on to a through ball and slotted it home. By this time Norsemen had started to get their game together and the goal signalled an end to our attacking in the game. It was not a case of ‘Parking the bus’ as being pushed back. I don’t remember us having another shot at goal after that. From then on it seemed to be a game played almost exclusively in our half and anot insignificant amount of that in our penalty area. We withstood a real onslaught from Norsemen . It was quite an aerial bombardment with Tills, Woody, Browner, Hitch and Clowesy winning a lot of headers all over the park but importantly clearing the 16 corners and even more of the excellent long throws directed into our six yard area. Norsemen also played the ball along the ground to a couple of quick forwards but our defence which was now pretty much the whole team snuffed out the danger. Sherbs chipped in with a solid performance in goal and made a couple of outstanding saves. Although Norsemen seemed to get more than their fair share of 50/50 calls from the referee nothing really dropped for them with the ball bobbling at the worst moment. But all credit to our boys who gave their all and defended magnificently. Tills put in a great shift, leading by example and organising the team in defence and everyone supported him well. To me the second half seemed to last forever so it was a little ironic that the Oppo spent a couple of minutes complaining that the ref had played a short half. It was a bitter blow for the oppo who played pretty well and gave their all but it really was not their day. But for us it was a good journey home with 3pts secured from a 1-0 away win somehow even more satisfying because it was a little fortuitous. (Pics of the game are on SAL website but as the photographer only pitched up for the last 25 mins they are all in our half and feature Sherbs in most of them.

MOM:

Team:Sherbs (GK) Michael Lynch, Browner, Hitch, Clowesy, Pat Manton, Tills (Capt), Woody , Femi, Jason Marsh, Vanny, Subs (Rolled) Jase Thomas, Dan Whiteman

Written by:James Tilley

It was a case of two points dropped in the end after an entertaining goalless draw and all round good performance in Finchley which just lacked the killer goal. The pitch was in fine condition after the weeks downpour plus the sun was out for a change. The first half was a scrappy affair with both teams looking to play direct on the narrow pitch and it was Ackers that had the first sight of goal after a menacing run from Snooks but his first time shot evaded the far post with the keeper beaten. Finchley were their typically combative selfs and the midfield battle was fairly even come the half time whistle. In to the second half and as the game grew older we looked more and more likely to break the deadlock with the back five providing the foundations for a wave of attacks usually resulting in excellent deliveries in to the box from Van or Snooks. A Tills header was superbly saved, Ackers was unlucky with a couple of snap shots and Boshers first touch almost resulted in a top corner special. Finchley were still a threat on the break but the chances kept coming our way when Snooks almost found the far corner of the net after a jinxing run and Tills could only find the keeper with the last kick of the game. So it’s four points from six after back to back north London trips and with Crouch End away next week we must take the performances in to next week and maximum points to maintain the promotion challenge.

MOM:

Team:Sherbs, Graves, Clappers, Browner, Al G, Manton (Bosher 70), Tilley, Woody, Snooks, Van (Whiteman 75), Ackers

Written by:James Tilley

Six goals and a convincing all round display on our return to the Hood ensured that top spot in division two was retained with all to play for in the promotion stakes with six games to play. With the pitch in fairly good condition after the recent and now cyclical monsoon season it was the men in yellow that settled quickest and once Matty Bosher had finally sprung the offside trap set by a consistently high and square EBOG back four he cooly rounded the keeper to put us one up after 20 minutes. Number two wasn’t far behind after a well delivered ball from captain Clappers again found Bosh in aches of space and again he made no mistake in converting. It was nothing less than we deserved although the game really should have been over as a contest before half time as Bosh squandered two more golden chances and wasteful final deliveries in to the box meant that we couldn’t add to the score line.

Fortunately we didn’t have to wait for long after the break as an Al G volley and Clappers bullet header from respective Whiteman and Van corners put us four to the good. Van then found Tills’s head with a pinpoint cross for the fifth and Woody danced past the keeper to roll home the sixth from the tightest of angles. It was a very encouraging performance with some excellent displays all over the pitch. Six more tough games to go with Broomfield up next.

MOM:

Team: Arthurs, Graves, Clappers (Manton 65), Brown, Al G, Tills, Woody, Snooks, Van, Whiteman, Bosher (Ackers 60)

Written by: James Tilley

This was billed as a top of the table battle but it fell rather short of the mark. With a few key players missing Merton was completely out played and in the end overrun by a very good Old Garchonians side who are in their second season of SAL football and still unbeaten. The first team are however trophyless only because they leave them in the pub after the celebrations. We held them at bay for the first twenty minutes but we never coped with their excellent passing and movement and never really tested them at the back. They went ahead on twenty minutes with a fluid move down the left with the Left winger and finished well. The second came pretty much the same way and the third was agreat volley. 3-0 down at half time and game over. I wish it had been. But we had a reorganisation reshuffle and harsh words and came out battling for the second half and got into the game. A little late and not for long. We hit the bar and had one cleared off the line then when they cleared upfield Rat got outpaced and another card as the last man and we were down to 10 men and were then comprehensively outpassed and run ragged. It was a long way to go to suffer this and still a long way to go and a lot of work if we want promotion. The ref and his assistants did well but it was not a difficult game. Old Garchonians are a new club and their teams are all doing well. Their firsts were an excellent committed well organised side who will be promoted and will do well in Division 1. We have to play them again at the Hood on April 26th and we may need to get something from that game so we will have to put on a much better performance.

MOM:

Team:Sherbs (GK), Richard Egglestone, Gravesy, Clappers (Capt), Al G, Will Lowe, Pat Manton, Ivan, Bosh, Ackers, Michael Lynch, Chris Rayner, Denis,

Written by:Max Herbert

Tuesday night down the Hood and a crucial promotion battle against BB Eagles. BB Eagles are promotion rivals ad they have so many games in hand because of cup runs and the weather that if they win all their games they would go up and if they lost them all (no sign of that happening) they would go down. But after Saturday’s humiliation we had to get back on track and get a vital 3pts. We got off to a flyer and went ahead with a slick move down the left with Bosh and a good finish from Ackers with our first attack after only 10secs. Strangely this galvanised them and seemed to prevent us fom settling into a rhythm as we were pushed back. BB Eagles dominated the next 25 minutes with some very good passing and movement but we defended really well with Clappers organising well and our midfield helping out. They had a number of corners and a very good long throw all of which we defended well. We got into the game and a good free kick from Dan was headed back across goal by Clappers and Woody finished well. We had a couple of close calls when Ackers was played through but flagged offside. One was very close. Just after the break we made it 3 with another Woody finish but surrounded in controversy as they believed the ball had gone out of play and we played to the whistle. There were linos. Their sense of injustice did not spur them on as I feared it might but they lost concentration and we dominated the game. They had a number of lapses when we should have scored but missed some golden opportunities. It boiled over as one of their two very good strikers finally had a go at the ref and got a red card. Vanny made it 4-0 with a header and they got a consolation goal with a rocket volley from about 30 yards. We played very well. Our defence was determined and well marshalled by Clappers and it needed to be to weather the first half storm. Our forwards were very mobile and played well together. The Midfield was outstanding; Woody won everything in the air and Will Lowe and Dan put in a great shift. This sets it up. We need to win on Saturday at Old Actonians but BB Eagles are our only rivals for the second promotion spot and they need at least to win 7 of their last 8 to stand any chance. That is a tall order but it has been an odd season. The lads were cheered on by an enthusiastic home support with the U11s joining in after a light training session.

MOM:

Team: Sherbs (GK), Clowesy, Browner, Clappers, Al G, Woody, Will Lowe, Dan (Pat Mnton), Ivan, Bosh, Ackers, (Sub DQ not used)

Written by:Max Herbert

After Tuesday night’s excellent win against B.B. Eagles we had another crucial and difficult game away at a side who had beaten us 4-2 at home (well on 3G at T&M). In the last few weeks Old Actonians’ promotion challenge had unexpectedly fallen away so we were not quite sure what to expect but were prepared for the hard game we got. We arrived a little early as there was hardly any traffic. The pitch looked good and facilities are nice. Only Browner was missing this week. He has had a terrific season at Centre Back paired with Clappers. Dave Hitchcock stepped up to the plate again and did very well. It was a tight scrappy start but we settled down better and got on top and after 25 mins the pressure told with Woody scoring directly from a well placed free kick. Although we pressed we did not increase the score and just before half time a really good move from Old A’s and an early cross was squandered. This would have been a bitter blow and we were relieved to see the shot go across the goal and just wide. A good team talk by Clappers at half time and we set in for a hard 45 mins. Whilst we were on top Old As have some talented players and threatened but our well organised defence held firm. Snooks, Will and Woody dominated in midfield and Ackers and Matt Bosher were lively up front . We created some chances but we could not get that second goal and it was tense. It got tenser. Over the last few weeks Sherbs has mastered the long goal kick; not the distance but the amount of time it takes. He always manages to look really busy collecting and setting up the ball. The highlight of these little pantos was when they ballooned the ball onto the pavilion’s flat roof and before they could get another ball into play for him Sherbs was waving from the roof in his attempts to retrieve the ball. At last the whistle blew for another really good 3pts and we sat nervously in the bar waiting for the B.B. Eagles result to come through. When we found out that they had won we knew that the wait would go on. (See Post Script). All the lads played really well. The defence performed as a solid unit well protected by the competitive mid field. We had a very lively attack with Vanny , Dan Whiteman, Bosh and Ackers. It was another excellent away win. Away form Played 11 Won 9 Drawn 1 Lost 1 which is pretty special.

Post Script.

On Tuesday night after the 2s game we heard that BBEs had lost at Norsemen 4-3 and as they needed to win all their remaining games to get ahead of us this meant that we (and Old Garchonians) were promoted to Division 1 of the Southern Amateur League. It is 60 years since we were relegated from there and we have spent a lot of that time in Division 3. This is an enormously exciting prospect and it is really a tremendous achievement by Clappers who with the help of Tills and an excellent squad of players have really done Merton proud. Well Done Lads. The 1s last game of the season is on Saturday April 26th at home to Old Garchonians so please come along and support the team and celebrate their success.

MOM:

Team: Sherbs (GK), Gravesy, Dave, Clappers (Capt) Al G, Will, Woody, Snooks, Vanny, Bosh, Ackers. Rolling subs Pat M, Dan W.

Written by:Max Herbert

So we were able to approach the last game of the season with promotion to Senior Division 1 secured and a match against the side that would be promoted but as Champions. Old Garchonians had already beaten us heavily a few weeks ago and whilst it would have been nice to avenge this our main objective was to give a good account of ourselves and expunge the 7-0 humiliation. Having said that I thought this was a game that we could win. This was a very good game against a very good side. Old Gs settled better and were on top and it took us a few minutes to get a foothold in the game when we did it was a more even contest but Old Gs remained slightly on top. There were very few chances for either side. Sherbs saved well at the far post from their best chance and Ackers hit the post from ours but otherwise both defences dominated in their last third.In the second half Old Gs put us under increasing and sustained pressure. They had the balance of play but we had some ood moves and chances. They struck the bar with a terrific strike and Sherbs had a to come out for a double save but with 15 min to go they scored what proved to be the winning goal with a very good move down the left and an excellent cross and finish. After that we pressed for the rest of the game but their defence held out. They deserved the win but of course a draw would have been nicer and not wholly unfair. The game was well reffed and it was good to have Gareth Dineen thundering up and down the line.

Old Gs are a very good team who have secured promotion through to Division 1 without losing a single game. They pass and move very well and there two central defenders and centre mids were outstanding again in this game. It will be interesting to see how they fare next season in Division 1. Congratulations to them for another excellent season and a well deserved Championship.

This has been a great season for the Firsts and even in defeat they looked a good side. It really has been a team/squad effort with many players contributing to the success. Clappers has organised the team really well and has been at the heart of the defence where Browner has had an excellent season. Al G who took over from Jonesy at left back has also been outstanding as he showed in this game when he surged forward in the last 15 mins as we pressed for the equaliser. It was good to see Jonesy back forthe2s playing again after his nasty injury. Dave Hitchcock has been playing in the last 5 or so games and was at right back today and again didn’t put a foot wrong standing in for the suspended Rat. Gravesy (Rat) has played his part during the season with his reading of the game and excellent use of the ball. In midfield we have also strengthened this season with Woody being back to his best and scoring goals again. Snooksy in his first season with us has looked a very good influential player and Will Lowe has been a constant and talented grafter who can fill in anywhere. We have missed Tills for the last 6 or so games but he was back today for a substitute appearance. After the disruptions of fatherhood he had settled back into the side and was back to his dominant best when he suffered a freak injury. But his support of Clappers and the team has been an important factor. Pat Manton has provided a lot of support at crucial times in midfield when called upon. Up front it has been Ackers, Bosh, Vanny and Dan in various combinations. It has been a real boost to have Ackers back at the club and he and Bosh have always worked well together. Vanny free from injury has had a good season. Dan Whiteman has chipped in cultured performances and some crucial goals. Sherbs came in since Christmas when Angus Lees was posted missing and did very well securing the Golden Gloves club award for the second successive season. The whole season though the first team effort has been supported by call ups from the reserves who with injuries of their own have suffered as a consequence. Crucial wins were secured none more so than the 1-0 win at Norsemen when Clowesy and Jason Marsh were outstanding in a magnificent team performance with 6 first team regulars missing. I regarded that result following two home defeats on 3G as the turning point and the base for the run we then put together that secured the historic promotion. Clappers has done a terrific job in organising the team on and off the pitch and has had a great season on it aswell.

Now is the time to celebrate the achievement and prepare for the challenge that awaits us next season. Well done to all those who have turned out for the 1s.

MOM:

Team: Sherbs (GK), Al G, Browner, Clappers, Dave Hitch, Will Lowe, Snooks, Woody, Vanny, Ackers, Dan, Subs Tills, Pat Manton, Bosh (In the second half the subs were rolled to give everyone a chance to make a contribution and they did.)

Written by:Max Herbert

Another great game of football at the Hood with the U8s taking on Walton Casuals Stags. A very balanced game that saw both teams playing a very open end to end match, with quick counter-attacks and great passing football.

With great support from both sides, in the last quarter, the game progressed to a thrilling end. With a few minutes to go the visitors seemed to have secured a victory. However, the Merton FC boys never gave up and, with a couple of minutes to go, they turned the score around with two late goals, product of great team play, to make the final score 5 – 4.

The MOM was given to Oscar for his outstanding performance.

Well done to both teams and thanks to all the spectators.