Author: Matt Haswell

Congratulation to Simon ‘Clappers’ Clapperton, whose wife Sally, gave birth to second daughter on 26th October@ 02.30. Both Sally and baby doing well.

Saturday saw the 1s at Old Salesians new ground in East Ewell. It is just as hard to find as their old one but not nearly as nice as their old ground and it’s not their own. It is a great shame for them and it is good to see them making the best of it. This is a story that is being repeated all across amateur football in London and is a worrying trend with old established clubs losing good grounds that are not being replaced. The game was massively important for both sides who were at the start of play the bottom two in the top division. The first half was pretty evenly balanced with I thought Merton playing the better football but Old Sals having the better chances. We had the ball in the net (Will Low) which was given offside. It was very tight. Our good passing play broke down in the last third but Old Sals had good chances which they generally blazed over the bar. The second  half was a much more open affair with all the goals. We went ahead very early in the second half. It really was a scrappy goal, very much the type we concede rather than score. Woody tricked his way past a couple of their defenders on the by line and closed in on goal but then slithered backwards to the ground desperately trying to get a shot away. It was as if the invisible man was pulling him down from behind. In the understandable confusion all this caused in the Old Sals defence Tee managed to poke the ball into the net at the near post.  Old Sals came back at us but we seemed to be dealing quite well with this and created chances of our own. But a through ball saved by Angus but Old Sals struck the rebound away tidily. So with the game opening up Tee was played through and strongly holding off their defender crashed the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box and that is the way I hoped it would stay. Whilst both sides had chances; we hit the post they hit the bar we seemed to be holding on quite well. But then with time running out they equalised in the 90^th minute. We failed to clear a free kick and the ball pin balled round our six yard area off players and post and ended up over the line. Angus managed to grapple it out but the lino judged it over the line (correctly). Angus exclaimed  ‘Why  does it always happen to us?’  A fair question but I don’t know why but it does. Luckily the lads did not ponder this conundrum but set about getting the winner. The ref had added on a generous amount of time for our time wasting and with 4 minutes of it both sides had chances  to win it. The game was won in the 93^rd minute when a terrific crossfield pass from Al G found Snooks racing on to it on the left and clipping it first time on the half volley past their keeper. Brilliant stuff and a worthy winner of an entertaining game. Pat Ryan reffed it very well as he does with explanations of decisions and the linos did a good job. All our lads put in a terrific shift to overcome a determined opposition. Vanny and Will Low ran themselves into the ground yet again and  Tee did very well holding the ball up and using it well. But this was an all round excellent team performance and a very welcome 3pts. And so back to the club to find the 2s had won their game and there were no incidents.

Team Angus Lees (GK), Jonesy, Ben Cook, Rat, Al G, Will Low, Tills (Capt) Snooks, Woody, Chisanga (Tee) Vanny Tom Rowe, Bosh (Well done to all of you)

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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 week saw us travel by tube to visit Old Lyonians in Harrow. The last thing we wanted was to return home with anything less than 3 points. Having defeated the opposition 6 – 2 at home a few weeks prior, we went into the game confident that we could increase our lead at the top of the table. With Josh unavailable we recalled Glen Field to cover between the stick. Aaron and Ben were also absent but Lee returned.

It was clear from the start that the hosts had strengthened their squad since the last meeting. This showed after 15 minutes when they took the lead, a smart finish into the bottom left hand corner put the host 1 – 0 up. We wasn’t behind for long however, Patrick turned up the heat and following an assist from Dan down the right, managed to evade two defenders and slot past the keeper with ease. It remained level going into the break.

We seemed to have taken our foot off the gas come the second half and the opposition were able to capitalise on this from a corner. Their tall centre back rose at the near post to send a looping header into the far top hand corner. Not l long after did they double their advantage, with me failing to catch up with a break down the right, a cross was delivered into the box and converted with ease.

With 20 minutes remaining we upped the ante and pilled pressure on the Old Lyonians defence but the last goal of the game ended up a consolation only. Dan Outred caught a corner with a delightful volley at the near post to mirror the opposition’s third, and send it into the far top hand corner, Prior to Dan’s goal Sevan hit the upright with a neat volley that had little reaction time. As well as having to travel back to Merton on the back of a loss, Glen suffered what seemed to be a broken arm, later to find out it was just tissue damage. We still remain 2 points clear at the top of the table but West Wickham has a chance to become level on points if they win their game in hand.

Next week we host EBOG in the 2nd Round of the SAL Cup. A decent cup run on top of our overall league performance can do nothing but boost our confidence of claiming silverware come the end of the season. Keep the good performances coming boys….

Team: Glen Field (GK) (Lawrence Bispham), Dan Outred, Chris Outred (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Lee Lenihan), Sevan Mutafyan, Chris Dodd, Arthur Lewis (Kieran Yansen), Patrick Mhondiwa, Dan Hall

MOM:Patrick Mhondiwa

Written by: Edward Plaistow

This week we travelled to Beckenham to entertain Lloyds at the Kent County Cricket Club. Having possibly our strongest squad to select from we were optimistic of going back to Joseph Hood still top of the table. Chris Outred stepped in to partner Darren at the back due to Lee’s absence and also skippered the side, a position he will retain going into next weekend’s game following this performance.

We started brightly and took advantage of the possession that was gifted to us by the hosts and it wasn’t long until we dished out the punishment that was on the cards. Chris Dodd unleashed a right footed half volley following a decent run of play down the left that seemed to change a number of directions before finding the back of the net. A rare goal from open play by our ex skipper but one that would be hard to match. Not long after the restart did we double our advantage, again from a corner. Dulanie connecting with Aaron’s corner on the volley, beating the keeper via a deflection. The only other highlight to mention from the first period was when Patrick hit the bar with a 30 yard shot. We ended the half with 10 men as Ben’s right boot needed assistance (taping up).

Going into the break there wasn’t much of a team talk, all we needed to do was continue to play the football we was and try to add toour tally. Being the highest scorers in our league, as well as in Merton, we were confident this could be done.

The second half was pretty much a carbon copy of the first. Lloyds never seemed to be able to get in the game and with Josh being our last line of defence and pulling off a couple of decent saves, a consolation never seemed on the cards. We did however manage to add another 2 goals to our tally. Tee came on for his first appearance in 4 weeks replacing Dan Hall. His appearance didn’t last longhowever due to a recurrence of the injury that side-lined him in the first place. He did manage a goal before leaving the field. A left footed half-volley from 25 yards that dipped over the substitute keeper. Patrick added prior. Those two goals combined with the two we managed in the first 45 minutes gave us a comfortable 4-0 win.

Next up we face a trip to Harrow to take on Old Lyonians. A team that will be looking for revenge following our 6-2 win in October. Let’s hope that the winning run continues……

Team: Josh Brown (GK), Dan Outred, Chris Outred (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Arthur Lewis), Ben Lawrence (Sevan Mutafyan), Chris Dodd, Aaron Ackerman, Dan Hall (Tee Nash Bizayi), Patrick Mhondiwa

MOM:Patrick Mhondiwa

Written by: Edward Plaistow

This week we hosted Old Meadonians in the first round of the AFA Cup. If honest, looking at their recent results, including a 8-0 loss the previous week, we assumed that the game would be a lot easier than it actually was.

We were classily outplayed by a team of a better standard and fully deserved the defeat they inflicted on us. 4 quality goals, 3 thatmaybe could have been prevented, resulted in us losing for only the second time this season. The only positive thing to mention was Chris Dodd’ free kick, which found the back of the net via the post, following the keeper spending too much time on the ball.

Next week we face Lloyds in the league hoping to bounce back from this disappointing display.

Team: Josh Browne (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards, Arthur Lewis (Chris Dodd), Ben Lawrence (Aaron Ackerman), Chris Outred, Patrick Mhondiwa (Stephen Creed), Dan Hall

MOM:Dan Outred

Written by: Edward Plaistow

Not much to report on this game apart from we managed to defeat Old Wilsonians 6s for a second time in the space of 4 weeks…maybe even less.

Goals from Ben Lawrence and Arthur Lewis took us joint top of the table alongside West Wickham, our nemesis a couple of weeks ago; however we sit at the peak on goal difference.

Next week we host Old Lyonians hoping for another win that will take us 3 points clear with West Wickham playing in the cup. Let’s hope our good run of form continues….

Team: Josh Browne (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Chris Outred, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards, Arthur Lewis, Ben Lawrence, Aaron Ackerman, Patrick Mhondiwa, Dean Porter

MOM:Ben Lawrence

Written by: Edward Plaistow

Looking at recent results, we knew that our opponents this week were going to be no walkover with them having defeated a team we lost so convincingly to last week in West Wickham 5 – 1 two weeks prior. We went into the game knowing that we had to play some of our best football in order to get a result we would be happy with.

Having arrived later than planned due to traffic, we were unable to warm up properly as the referee was eager to get the match underway on time. We lined up with our new first choice keeper in Josh Browne, who came in to replace Glen Field after some unconvincing displays of late. Our back four remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive week in the shape on Dan, Lee, Darren and myself. Our midfield consisted of Dulanie, Aaron, Chris Dodd, who came in to replace Ben, who chose to visit Newcastle to watch his uncle’s side spoil Spurs day with a late equaliser, and Chris Outred. We welcomed Patrick and Tee back into the starting line-up following their punishment of being benched last week.

The game was a lively one straight from the off and it took only 5 minutes before we found ourselves behind. A defence splitting pass from midfield found their striker who finished smartly off the inside of the near post. The lead however only lasted a couple of minutes as Dulanie equalised, his right footed effort beat the keeper at the bottom left. Chris Outred then put us 2 – 1 up 5 minutes before the break, converting a rebound after Tee’s effort had hit the post.

Unlike last week, the team talk at the break was a positive one. There was a few things that needed to be improved on and in order to assist in making those improvements we introduced CC7 into the fold. With his services not required by the 3s, we took advantage. Not long after the restart did we double our advantage, a mazy run by Patrick, with an equally impressive finish at the near post from a tight angle put us 3 – 1 up. HSBC were finding it hard to contain us and failed to get a rhythm going in regards to their passing game. They did however, half the deficit with 20 minutes to go, albeit with a strong appeal for offside turned down. Patrick took the weight off our shoulders shortly after the hosts’ second with a carbon copy of his first to regain the two goal advantage at 4 – 2. We were surprised at how easy he made it look considering the keeper should never be beaten at the near post, let alone twice! Not long after his second did Patrick grab his third to claim his hat-trick. A delightful ball from the right by CC7, found the sweet spot of Patrick’s head to end the game at 5 – 2.

A great game of football to be part of and to witness according to those that came to show their support. The only negative to take from the game was losing Tee for a minimum of 4 weeks due to a torn hamstring. Next week we host Old Wilsonians 6s, who will be looking for revenge following our narrow win at their place in September.

Team: Josh Browne (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards (Chris Callus), Aaron Ackerman, Chris Dodd (Sevan Mutafyan), Chris Outred, Patrick Mhondiwa (3), Tee Nash Bizayi

MOM:Patrick Mhondiwa

Written by: Edward Plaistow

Having made a great start to our 2011/12 campaign in both the League and SAL Cup, we welcomed West Wickham to our satellite ground of Wimbledon Common Extensions. Having arrived with only 2 minutes to kick off there was no option but to punish Tee and Patrick by naming on the bench. Yes it weakened the starting XI however they need to realise that they have to abide by the rules that everyone else does. Meeting times are set for a reason. This resulted in Chris Dodd starting having just returned from injury and Luke Freestone playing alongside Ben up top.

The first half was one that could be forgotten in a flash after going into the break 3-0 down. Sloppy defending on all 3 occasions was to blame, that and a combination of route one football by West Wickham. This may be a little harsh on the visitors for their third actually. A delightful ball from the right was guided in by a diving header which Darren just failed to connect with. Great goal, it was just disappointing to be part of the opposing side.

The team talk at half time was one of many words, it didn’t help that they were coming from all directions at the same time. We knew we were better then what we had shown in the first half and this was justified…..for the first 20 minutes of the second period anyway.

We re-started the second half and seemed to have West Wickham on the back foot. It was clear that they had opted not to come out and play the route one football that worked for them in the opening 45 minutes and this was something we were able to capitalise on. We reduced the deficit on the hour mark when a delivery from Aaron was toe-poked home by Ben. It wasn’t long until we reduced to deficit again when Lee converted Aaron’s corner into the bottom left. West Wickham looked shaky at this point and knew that they had to revert back to route one in order to keep hold of their lead or add to it. This is exactly what happened…..

With 15 minutes to go, a poor attempt to win possession by Lee allowed their number 12 to easily lob Glento make it 4-2. Not long after was it 5-2. A ball hit long by the West Wickham defence made its way into ourbox however with myself shielding the opposing player from getting to it, Glen stalled on coming to claim it. When he did he decided to attempt to kick it rather than go to ground and gather it. His kick came back off yours truly and into the back of the net.

It was a poor performance by all. Next week we visit HSBC where we hope to put Saturdays performance behind us and claim another 3 points to assist in guiding us up the table.

Team: Glen Field (GK), Dan Outred, Lee Lenihan (Capt.), Darren Avey, Edward Plaistow, Dulanie Richards, Chris Dodd (Patrick Mhondiwa), Aaron Ackerman , Chris Outred, Luke Freestone (Tee Nash Bizayi), Ben Lawrence (Laurence Bispham)

MOM:

Written by: Edward Plaistow