Year: 2014

This was always going to be a tough game because they all are in this division. Old Gs have mad a decent start to their campaign in Division 1 having been Div 2 Champions last season. We know they are a good team. Clappers had to shuffle the pack with another bout of unavailability throughout the club and we fielded a bare eleven. It was quite an even game with both having half chances but really nothing much in last third. Old Gs took the lead when a defensive error let them in for alead on 25 mins. But Bosh equalised almost straight away and another defensive error gave Old Gs the lead just before half time. In fairness their striker finished well with a chip over Angus. In the second half I felt we had slightly the better of it and deserved our equaliser with Vanny rifling home from 20 yards for the best goal of the game. We had chances to win it, particularly when their keeper fumbled a free kick but recovered well to block Ackers volley. Old Gs had a couple of players missing from last season and did not look quite the flowing side that beat us twice.  Merton looked a well organised and committed team and are still finding their feet in this division. Draws are not quite enough but there is no reason to think that Clappers and the boys wont start winning games. Ackers worked hard up front and showed great touch, Clappers and Browner were solid in the heart of defence and Woody and Snooks showed. Craig Usher on debut put in a strong performance But in truth all eleven played a significant part in this game.

Team: Angus Lees (GK) Rat, Browner, Clappers,Jonesy, Woody, Snooks, Craig Usher, Vanny, Ackers, Bosh.

A really good team performance and a well deserved point on a difficult afternoon. With so many players missing (Holidays/Stag dos/Injuries) Clappers did well to get a team out at all and with no shows on the day it was the bare eleven. This is pretty disappointing and unacceptable at this level of football. The side had something of a makeshift appearance with players playing in unusual positions but it did not appear so when the action started. This was a good competitive match and we did more than hold our own. Everybody put in a big shift. We settled well and looked to move the ball around. We had the best of the early exchanges but we got snuffed out in the last third. We keep finding new ways to go behind and this week we conceded a penalty. The ref insisted that he had to blow his whistle before the penalty could be taken and being slow to do so caught the Alleyns guy out twice and was made to retake perfectly good penalties. But he held his nerve and scored three very good penalties but still only made it 1-0. We did not drop like last week and continued as before. Craig hit a magnificent volley from 30 yds when the ball broke to him after a corner but it cannoned back off the bar.  So it was a little unlucky 1-0 down at the break.  We battled away in the second half sticking to our plan and pressing for the equaliser.  Clappers hamstring went and he went up front and hobbled around organising our efforts and sledging their back four in equal amounts. Another foul as their defenders jumped over Woody and it was our penalty which Tee confidently slammed past their keeper. There was one heart stopping moment when they I thought we looked the more likely to score they struck the underside of the bar with a fierce shot and Angus did really well to save the follow up. We had our chances but could not score again although we pressed hard. This was a very competitive game and both sides had key players missing. Tee lead the the line magnificently for us holding the ball up and using it well. But all our lads were outstanding .  So another point but we need that elusive first win to get things moving. It is a very tight division. The ref and linos did very well as it was quite a physical encounter. Alleyns pitches were pretty good and their bar with balcony is an excellent facility. It is a bit hard to find though, specially when they close Turney Road, but it as a great place to visit and would have been even better if we had got three points.

Team; Angus (GK) Ben Cook, Rat, Clappers, Will Lowe, Vanny, Dan W, Snooks, Tee, Craig,  Woody

Some great news – the 5th XI have been reinstated to the ISEB senior novets cup and will play Old Westminster Citz on 15th November. Thanks goes to Max for his hard work behind the scenes

U12s won 4-3. Away vs Rocks Lane Scorers were;
Chris
Mason
Charlie
McKenzie
Great game, we were 3-1 down at half time. MOM. Mason

U11s drew 1-1 at home vs Carshalton Athletic Greens

U8s won 5-4 at home vs Walton Casuals Stags

A mix bag of results yesterday, the 1s battling to a 1-1 draw with Alleyns, an excellently converted pen by Chisanga (pictured). The 2s won their AFA cup match 3-1 vs Merstam, the 3s went down 1-0 to Alleyns with both sides having chances a draw was likely the fair result. A battling 4s squad of mostly 5s players lost 11-0 to a strong Bb Eagles team and the 5s of mostly 6s player lost 6-0 to west Wickham.

Trophy event today for the MFC U8’s at KPR’s ground in Kew.  4 teams took part – Carshalton Athletics Green, KPR, Wandgas Youth and MFC.  First up was
MFC v Wandgas, we had Aarya in goal and our captain for this match was Joseph.  It was a very tense game, especially for the supporters!  Great football from both sides and it was a tight game throughout, but thanks to some fantastic work in defence from Miller, a great goal from Jayden and then another from Joseph, assisted perfectly by Lee, the match ended 2-0. Our next opponents were KPR. For this match we had Miller in goal and he was also captain. Again, really good football, talented players from both teams but MFC were on a roll.  Thanks to a great shot fro Freddie, who worked his socks off the whole game, and despite a good effort from the goalie, it hit the back of the net.  With Oscar awesome on the wing and helping out in defence, Aarya working hard and winning the ball for the team in midfield, Jayden rock solid and tireless in defence, another great pass from Freddie to Joseph, who in the perfect position, chipped it in the left corner, the match ended 2-0. We had a welcome rest before our next game, the supporters went off for coffee to calm their nerves whilst Marcello and Tony kept the boys focused.  In our final match we met Carshalton.  Captain was Jayden and goalie Freddie. In both earlier games we’d seen some great football and this game was no different.  Carshalton took an early lead but it was MFC’s day. A well-deserved goal from Lee who showed great skills up front and a perfectly placed cross from Miller to Joseph, who was ready and waiting, and with a flick of his head, as if he was Diego Costa, we had goal number 2, the winning goal. I was a really great day for MFC but we definitely met some tough opponents.  There was some real talent on the pitch from all sides, and it was great to see the football played with such enthusiasm and good spirit.  It was decided that as the whole team played so well, it was impossible to choose a MOM so it was a great big cheer to them all.

After last weeks baptism of fire against a classy Old Wilsonians side it was off to Chiswick for our first away trip of the season and another tough test to face Civil Service who narrowly avoided relegation last year.  Clappers was forced to shuffle the pack through some unavailability so in came Rat and Jonesy at full back, Ackers slotted in to the middle three and Whiteman down the left. Both teams started brightly but it was the home side that found their rhythm quickest and it wasn’t long before Angus was called in to action when a couple of direct moves resulted in one on one situations which the big number nine couldn’t capitalize on. We then tightened up across the back line and Browner and Rat dealt with the pace and movement of their front two well whilst Jonesy and Clappers kept the left flank locked down. We were also in control further up the pitch with some good moves of our own with Ackers and Snooks at the heart of most of them but we couldn’t carve out a chance of note until a well delivered Van free kick found Browners flick on and Tills controlled well on the edge of the box before dispatching a floated effort over the keeper and in to the net. 1-0 to the good and looking comfortable until the Services tricky 10 twisted to the bi line before centering for the nine to force home the cross and bring the sides level before half time. It was just about deserved on the balance of play but a shame to concede a reasonably soft goal again after a lot had been discussed after last weeks sloppiness. No sooner had the second half started when Angus and Rat combined to some how keep the scores level after a remarkable goal line save and clearance. We then found our feet again and dominated the middle of the park without really releasing Van and Whiteman in to areas where they could cause damage. Bosher worked tirelessly without much reward but almost restored the lead for us when his menacing shot was tipped around the post by the keeper. In all honesty we could have nicked it but the game deteriorated slightly through some niggly tackles and behavior which the ref did well to control. Theo was a threat from the bench. When the full time whistle came it felt like a relief to get off the mark with a point tinged with frustration that we might have dropped two. It was a decent performance though and whilst we are up and running it isn’t going to get much easier with the visit of last years winners Old Owens at the Hood next week.

Team: Angus, Rat, Browner, Clappers (c), Jonesy, Tills, Snooks, Ackers, Van, Whiteman (theo), Bosher (Mike Kelly)

It was a very special day down at the Hood on Saturday as we celebrated our return to the SAL first division after 60 years in the lower divisions. We could not have hoped for more illustrious opponents as we welcomed Old Wilsonians who won the AFA senior Cup and Old Boys Cup last year and came within a whisker of winning the treble but were beaten on the last day of the season in the League. And it’s no good thinking that we could have hoped for easier opposition because this season there aren’t any.

A clash of colours meant that we stepped out in an all white change strip and looked a well organised competitive side lead by Clappers. We were also much more vocal than i ever remember us being.  OWs settled well and had the better of the early exchanges but we got in the game and created some chances mainly from set pieces. Sherbs was forced to make one good save but both sides moved the ball well but both defences did well.

But just before half time when I and I suspect some of our lads were thinking that a goalless first half would be good we lost concentration, conceded a sloppy corner, did not defend it well enough and were one down slightly unluckily at half time.

The second half was much more open and we scored very quickly. A flowing move down the right saw the ball swept across the left where Vanny ‘rifled’  it in at the near post. But just as quickly as we scored we conceded. Giving away a free kick and not defending it well enough saw OWs back in front and then the game was pretty even with both sides having chances but with about 15 mins to go OWs wrapped up the points. We failed to clear the ball and their striker finished with a well taken overhead kick 3-1 and game over.

I was very proud of the boys last season and no less proud today  where we gave an excellent account of ourselves against a top side. It is good to be back in Division 1, staying there is the challenge that we can rise to. Clappers organised the team really well and we executed the plan well. Snooksy was outstanding again but everyone put in a good shift. Tills in midfield competed and won a lot of headers. We probably conceded too many free kicks and their delivery was top notch. OWs were the better side and deserved the points. Ref and Linos had a good game. It is Civil Service next week and Old Owens (SAL Div 1 Champs) the week after. Well done lads we battled all the way and can take a lot of positives from the performance. Thanks to all our members who came back to the Hood and supported the boys. And then enjoyed a lively bar after. Great Club atmosphere.

Team.    Sherbs (GK) Dave Hithcock, Clappers (Capt) Browner, Al G, Tills , Will Lowe , Snooks, Vanny  Bosh, Tee ,  Dan W, Connor M, Tom Rowe.

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Merton stormed to their win of the season their win of the season with an excellent performance from start to finish vs. Raynes Park Vale.

Merton started quickly with Devonte pulling the strings in midfield and  Kieran giving his usual box to box performance. Nikoy in goal brilliantly marshalled his defence of  Thomas  Alexis and Ellis whilst  Illane was a constant menace up top with his pace and aggression.  Out wide Daniel, Kayden and Bradley offered skill and pace.

The opening goal came on 12 minutes when Devonte cut inside and  from the left and rifled a right foot shot past the helpless goalkeeper. The second came on 19 minutes when Daniel tucked a pull back from Illane inside the near post and Merton led 2-0 at half time.

Merton expected  that that RPV would come out strongly at the start of the 2^nd half and they did, but Thomas, Ellis and Alexis held strong helped by confident goal-keeping from Nikoy.  Merton weathered the storm and were a constant threat on the break with the speed and determination of Illane. This tactic eventuall y paid off when Illane manged to get on the end of a through ball that in truth he had no right to and slotted confidently into the left hand corner.

RPV briefly threatened a comeback when despite a truly miraculous save from Nikoy they buried the rebound to make the score 3-1. This was to be a real test of character for Merton, but with Kayden  and Bradley supressing the threat down the flanks Merton RPV never  really threatened to reduce the deficit and the game was over as a contest when Kieran bent a beautiful free kick into the top left hand corner. The final whistle came followed shortly afterwards and Merton had deservedly won their first league game of the season.

The match was played in excellent spirit from both sides.

MOM    Illane Petit.

The 1s lost unluckily 3-2 last night to Ash Utd in the Surrey Premier Cup. 2 down to a very dubious penalty and a good headed goal after 30 mins the team battled back and dominated for periods of the game Ackers (46 mins) and Snooks (58 mins) levelled it up but looking the most likely to win it we conceded in 88th minute. Terrific team performance.