Author: Matt Haswell

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.

Winter training has now got well under way, if you have not yet managed to get there yet please check it out and give it a go, information can be found on the TRAINING PAGE

Massive handsome congratulations to David Hitchcock on Merton’s latest perfectly-timed arrival. Only two hours after the 2s game on Saturday, this happened.

Hitch’s baby boy is yet to be named, though ‘Jason Thomas Hitchcock’ has been ventured. Great scenes

Youth Results today, U11s beat Raynes Park Vale 4-1 An excellent team performance (pic) with Illane MOM . U12s with bare 9 players put in a great performance against Wallington Wanderers, top of the table, but lost 2-1 Joe Adams (MOM) Pic. U8s at Kew Park in a trophy day had brilliant results and won all their 3 games 2-0 2-0 and 2-1. Well done and Congratulations to everyone involved in the effort to achieve this.

The Merton Fc “Vice Squad” .. The Vice Presidents enjoy the bar at the club today

Well done all youth teams in their first away league games of the season, U8s are showing us how it’s done.

U8s won 5-1 at Kew Park Rangers, MOM. Jaiden for another great performance

U11s lost 4-0 at Doverhouse Lions MOM. Nikoy for stepping up to the plate and keeping goal for the whole match.

U12s lost 3-0 at Junior Bees United. MOM Jacob & Ayush for great defending and team play.

Well done all.