Author: Matt Haswell

A wake-up call. It won’t be the story of our season, but today Carshalton were hungrier, fitter and better organised. Credit to the opposition for taking full advantage as we gifted them four of their goals. Oaksey got his only mistakes for the year out the way (so consistently high are his standards), the midfield was out-jumped and defence was caught flat-footed from a straightforward goal kick (our own), and, in our eagerness to up the tempo we jumped in when it was better to stand off, eventually conceding a penalty (no names mentioned, Clowesy).

The positives, such as they were, meant that we kept working hard to create, despite being largely pennedback for much of the game. Ash, Jason and Femi were mostly isolated up front, and when our chances did come,their keeper was not found wanting.

The pick of the bunch was dug out by Chris Rayner, on as a substitute, who probed down the left and produceda first-time hooked cross that Ash made into our best chance of the game, directing a header low to the keeper’s right from 16 yards out – and forcing a fine save.

Fitness, focus and form must improve.

Team:Oaksey (GK), John,Clowesy, Clappers (Lofty H-T), Tilley, Woody, Will, Wilgo, Femi (Rayner 70),Ash, Jason

MOM: Jason Thomas

Report by:Graham Willgoss

As temporary custodians of the Olympic torch for a small part of the warm-up, we showed the Olympic spirit without really showing our class. The exception, in goal, was Sherbs, who stood up to everything Service threw at him and kept the ball out at times when he had no right to do so.

Despite the scoreline, this was a vast improvement on last week’s showing. Vanny (back from his wedding in Reading exodus) revelled in being back in the side, and was eager to make an impression. Tilley brought a greater unity to the midfield, and Ash and Femi were sharper up front.

After a deflected first goal, however, it was too often down to Sherbs to save us from conceding more. A superb reach to tip the ball on to the bar from a corner was followed by our last line of defence rapidly moving from his line to courageously smother the ball in a one-on-one. Football can be cruel (back to that score line later) – never more so when Alex dived low to his left to block the ball from close range, only for Service to follow up and knock it in.

Still, we made plenty of chances of our own. Vanny, switched to the right midway through the second half, almost made an instant impact when bustling down the wing and holding his man off before flashing the ball past the far post. Tilley had the ball in the net but his goal was incorrectly – and spectacularly unfairly – ruled out for ‘hand ball’ 10 minutes previously. Femi was unlucky not to do better with a long-range lob having spotted the keeper off his line. And no one could quite get on the end of another wicked Rayner cross. This was not a 4-0 game. Except it was.

Team: Sherbs (GK), John, Jennings, Marc Wilson, Browner, Wilgo (Clowesy 65), Woody, Tilley, Ivan (Rayner70), Ash, Femi

MOM: Sherbs

Written by: Graham Willgoss

As the cliché goes this truly was a game of two halves. Unfortunately we were so poor in the first half that the second half task was almost impossible but we did give it a good go.

We were so slow starting the game Weirside could have been forgiven for thinking we weren’t interested and after going 4-0 down in half an hour we almost weren’t. A combination of poor marking, slowness in the tackle, and basic errors gifted Weirside three of their four goals which to give them credit they finished very well. Finally pride, and a sense of injustice for an unpunished blatant Weirside headbutt, took over and we started to play with some urgency and bite and got a goal back through Jase just before half time. The second half was a completely different story and we spent the entire half camped in Weirside territory but could only score once more, through Jase again, for all our efforts.

The result was obviously disappointing but more so was the way we were able to dominate the second half showing that with some more quality and greater application in the first half the game could have been a lot different. Having said that I’m sure Weirside’s foot had come off the peddle somewhat at 4-0. A typical all energy display from Jason coupled with his two goals made him our man of the match pushed hard by a high impact second half substitute performance from Vanny.

Team: Oaksey (GK), John, Clappers, Marc Wilson, Will Low, Wilgo (Jonesy 80), Woody (Vanny 45), Tilley, Jase, Ash, Femi.

MOM: Jason

Written by: Clappers

The day started poorly and got continually worse.

Two thirds of the team arrived in Finchley at 2pm, the agreed meet time, and then had to wait a further hour for the rest of the team, including the kit, to turn up just before 3pm having been caught up in every traffic issue possible on route. Finchleans and the nicest ref in the world were very accommodating though and the game kicked off about 15 minutes late.

We dominated the majority of the game but didn’t create any chances of real note. A series of over hit corners and misplaced passes through the middle was all we had to show for our possession. In fact the only two chances we did create were both for Finchleans. Midway through the first half Oaksey came to claim along throw but he misjudged it and the ball was helped over him and past a wrong footed Tilley on the line. Then about half way through the second half a long ball sailed over Browner’s head to Will who was sweeping up. Rather than clearing however he passed across the area to the Finchlean winger who scored well from a tight angle. We pushed hard for the last 20 minutes and Browner had a goal disallowed for half time but we still didn’t trouble the Finchleans keeper enough.

No one really shone but Will Taylor made a positive impact coming on for his first 1s appearance in the second half.

We must learn from this game as it wasn’t dissimilar in quality to any of the 3rd division games we had last year and therefore gifting them two goals was a waste of a good opportunity to get points on the board.

Team: Oaksey (GK), Will Low, Clappers, Browner, Jonesy, Wilgo (Clowesy 75), John, Vanny, Tilley, Jase (Will Taylor), Ash.

MOM:

Written by:Clappers

The prematch excitement became too much for me at the prospect at wearing the AC Milan strip… I was hoping it might mean we play like them. Despite having the kit we were not going to play at the San Siro, furthermore we weren’t allowed to play on the ‘Big pitch’ because the 4s had craftily stolen it and started late, deliberately to wind up Clappers –full marks.

We then enjoyed a particularly long warm up due to a classic case of the opposition forgetting the kit, was their organisation even worse on the pitch? There was an enormous sense of optimism among the squad, Ivan was on fire with the kick ups, with both Gladkows in the starting XI losing didn’t seem likely.

Eventually with the game started, Milan immediately showed their class against the lemons (they wore a yellow kit) who had a serious case of slow starter syndrome, with the lemons having a high average age across the back four, Milan looked like they ought to produce a rugby score, something Tom Rowe could appreciate, but the offside rule wasn’t. The midfield was fully functioning with the Gladkow brothers ruling with an iron fist and there was Irish John causing all round confusion for both opposition and fellow team mates whenever he spoke. With Merton veteran in goal Alex Herbert hitting the giant target man and high flying actor Jason Statham with pin point precision it left the oppo at the back in all sorts of problems. The lemon goal keeper was a little vertically challenged and even with his step ladder he couldn’t reach the bar, but with balls flying well over the bar he didn’t even need to start climbing…

Eventually the deadlock was broken, it was the club superstar and younger, less mature Gladkow, Ivan, who scrambled the ball over the line after three or four bites of the cherry, after having had a few golf balls in the bar, this ugly five yarder had become goal of the season. The second goal came when the young rugby player ‘picked’ the ball up down the right flank and the ball fortuitously ended at slippery Chris Rayner’s feet who arrogantly decided he should knee the ball into the net.

Half time arrived.There were oranges – fantastic! The team reflected how ‘decent’ the performance had been thus far and concluded more goals were on the cards, with Femi failing the punctuality test, he was the fresh pair of legs to come on. Who would he replace? Nobody. He must have been very late!

The opening quarter of the second half saw a revival in energy from the opposition, Milan were slow throughout the team, although the old veteran Sherbs pulled off a string of phenomenal saves, leaving many to ponder how things could have been different for ‘The Crazy Gang’ had this man been between the posts instead of Neil Sullivan. Eventually the lemons broke through the Milan defence, were they back in the game? Not for long.

Jason Statham, left to a standing ovation from the spectators (they were all standing anyway), but he had been terrific winning the aerial battle all day long. Femi was on. He had cleaned his boots, luckily there wasn’t much time left for him to get them dirty, but he did make an immediate impact, using his searing pace to break the line of defence and beat the tiring defender; he squared the pass to the rugby player who avoided the temptation to pick the ball up and drop kick it over the bar, but he nervously side footed it past the little keeper. 3-1 Merton.

A historic day for the club; 5 wins and 1 draw… ‘The Merton Way’

Team: Sherbs (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Kev Wood, Jonesy, John Lynch, Vanny, Tom Rowe, Jase (Femi), Rayner

MOM:

Written by:Tom Rowe

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Terry demanded ‘3 points – minimum’. By the game’s end, we were on board with his thinking. For this felt like 4. An 87th-minute winner from James Tilley in a hard-fought and hard-won match capped an organised, compact team performance and two notable individual ones. Oaksey in goal made two absolute wolrdies – the first tipping round the post in horizontal flight after a dangerous ball across the 6-yard box was deflected by a Merton boot. The second a point-blank stop on the line with his feet from a close-range header. Our number one had no right to reach either of them.

At the other end, Femi ran the Weirside defence ragged, first breaking clean through and winning a penalty (and if it was a pen, which it was, and a clear goal-scoring opportunity, which it was, why no punishment for the defender?). Jonesy also let the opposition off the hook from the spot.

No matter – Femi wasn’t done yet, collecting a defence-splitting pass from Wilgo before bamboozling his opponents and sending a searching cross into the area, finding Tilley who gave the move the ending it deserved by sweeping home with a first-time left foot volley from 10 yards. Big celebrations followed, particularly after the assorted unpleasantness from Weirside’s number 8 (stamping this week, head-butting the last time we played)

Other performances of note: Clowesy at right back was an insurmountable brick wall for their left-winger. And Kevin partnering Clappers had 90 minutes remarkable for their composure and assuredness. Chris Rayner on the left of the front three ran himself into the ground, his quality consistently high.

Talking of consistent. Three games. Three wins. And a minimum three points.

Team: Oaksey (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Kev Wood, Jonesy, John Lynch, Tilley, Will Low (Browner), Vanny (Willgo), Femi, Rayner

MOM:

Written by:Willgo

The score line was not a fair reflection of a well fought game which Salesians deservedly won but not by the margin the score suggests.

Starting up the hill and into the wind against last season’s cup winners looked like a tough prospect and it looked even tougher after 10 minutes when we gave their right winger too much time and his low hard cross was slammed into the net from close range. However within five minutes we were level when Clappers powerfully headed in a typically well directed Rayner corner.

The rest of the first half was an evenly fought affair with both sides having their fair share of possession with Merton creating a few half chances and Oaksey, at his excellent best, keeping out the best Salesians could offer. Vanny and Femi were occupying the Salesians back four whilst our back four were getting to grips with the regular Salesians’ attacks. Half time was imminent and a close 1-1 looked like something we could build on with John, Tilley, and Woody starting to match their midfield three but then SMASH the Salesians centre back strode forward and powered a 25 yarder into the top corner and minutes later we were in the changing room frustrated that we hadn’t held on.

The second half started very much like the first, except without the wind which had chosen to disappear much to our disappointment, and both sides enjoyed good spells. However after about an hour Salesians got their third and the game changed. As they relaxed and we pushed for a goal the gaps started to appear and Oaksey was called upon to make good save after good save if the oppo beat our valiant defending. We called on Jase and Will to replace Woody (a little Thailand jaded) and Vanny (another hamstring twinge leading people to ask whether he’ll ever play 90 again) but both found it hard to impose themselves on the game and the waves of Salesians attacks continued and finally the fourth goal went in. However we continued to attack and push for a goal to make the score line a bit more respectful but for all our efforts that final ball eluded us.

Lots of positives to take from the game where we didn’t look a league below our opposition but also we need to learn from them and start to respect possession some more. Fitness and application were good and if taken into the league we should progress.

To rub salt into our disappointment Terry “4 points” Baker decided to nip back to the Hood straight after the final whistle so he could watch the 2s however he forgot that he had the valuables in his car so the Merton boys sat patiently in the bar with no money and just one sock each waiting for his return.

Team: Oaksey (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Kev Wood, Jonesy, John Lynch, Tilley, Will Low (Browner), Vanny (Willgo), Femi, Rayner

MOM:

Written by:Simon Clapperton

After last week’s drubbing we needed a much better performance against the league leaders and we certainly got it but without the result unfortunately.

BB Eagles came to the Hood on the back of a very good run and so we expected a tough game but for the majority of the first half we more than matched our high flying visitors. We dominated possession with John, Woody, and Will Low bossing the midfield and Ivan and Femi continually running at, and past, their full backs but unfortunately or possession didn’t result in many chances being created apart from a good Will Low effort that the keeper palmed away at full stretch. The Eagles threat is definitely their pace upfront and they did get past us a couple of times but the back four stood strong and repelled any resulting efforts. They did hit the cross bar though and so level at half time was just about fair.

The second half started with Eagles pushing more men forward and putting pressure on our back four and pushing John deeper to help out. We stood firm though and started to re-establish ourselves and got back into the game but then came the match changing contribution for the ref.

Clappers bought their left winger down about 40 yards out and 10 yards in from the touchline. The ref rightly booked him where the offence took place, so yes 40 yards out and 10 yards in from the touchline, and Clappers turned to jog back into position ready to defend the freekick but to everyone’s amazement the ref told the Eagles player that he could take a quick one and the ball was sent in to the area where an unprepared John could only send it into his own net.

A clearly annoyed Merton came out fighting from the restart and pushed Eagles back. We had a couple of Femi efforts frantically cleared and a strong Woody shot pushed out by their keeper but we couldn’t draw level and with five minutes to go Eagles scrambled in their second from a corner.

A good all round team performance, which on another day would have given us something to show for our efforts, and should give us the belief to push on from now.

Team: Sherbs (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Browner (Olly Braid 20), Jonesy, John Lynch, Woody, Will Low, Vanny, Femi, Jason. Unused sub: Mike Reed

MOM: Jonesey / Will Low

Written by:Simon Clapperton

Not the prettiest of games on a heavy pitch, but a well-organised Merton side were excellent value for their point.

Jason – forcing a couple of excellent saves – probably made their keeper work harder than Sherbs in goal for the boys in yellow, although that was largely thanks to the hard graft and concentration shown by all of the back five, goalkeeper included.

Jonesy was Merton’s standout performer on the day, playing in a sort of left-back-cum-left-mid hybrid position. It didn’t seem to matter in what third of the pitch the ball was on the left – Jonesy was there to offer strength in defence and attack.

Elsewhere, Tilley had a couple of headers that might have tested the keeper another day, Wilgo led the line working extremely hard with Jase, and Woody stamped his authority and quality all over the midfield from the first minute to the last.

Plenty to build on for a 2012 that promises much everywhere you look: Clappers moulding a new centre-back from birth; defending our Portuguese tournament title; Tilley’s engagement/stag celebrations (and the small matter of his wedding)… First things first, however – let’s continue on in the same vein as this performance. Happy new year!

Team:Sherbs (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Browner, Jonesy, John Lynch (Welsh Will 70), Woody, Will Low, Tilley, Willgo, Jason (Olly 75)

MOM:Jonesy

Written by:Willgo

The Firsts continued their recent improvement in form with a win in the local derby at Mitcham. Both sides were promoted last season and have both struggled in the higher division. It was a scrappy first half and whilst there were not many scoring opportunities OWC’s came the closest when they hit the bar with a very good strike. We had our half chances but did not trouble the keeper. OWCs were getting on top as the half progressed and I felt we were a little fortunate to go in level at half time. However the second half was a different matter and we played much better right from the start. OWCs failed to deal with a low drilled corner and Tills was on hand to prod it home. We were soon two ahead when Jase’s determination (oh and his speed) beat the centre back and keeper to a loose through ball and scored. We were dominating the game and had several good chances to put the result beyond doubt. Clappers headed a corner narrowly over the bar. The third goal came from the spot when their defender brought down Tom Rowe, just managing to get him before he ran out of the area. Woody slotted the spot kick home beautifully to get us a valuable 3pts. Richard Melvin reffed the game very well and firmly and it never threatened to be like some of the games of yesteryear between the clubs. OWCs since winning Div 3 last year have had an awful season and their skip said nothing had gone for them. And you could see what he meant as they really did not seem to enjoy any good fortune in this game either and understandably got a little frustrated. They are now adrift at the bottom. Our Back four, marshalled very well by Clappers, operated well and the team defended well all over the pitch. Ash came to watch the game and is recovering well from his injuries. (See Pictures link) The consultant says that everything is in the right place and knitting together nicely. He certainly looked well and is coming on our end of season tour to Portugal. AS he cant play he has volunteered to stay up drinking with the boys and make sure the curfew is enforced properly ahead of the matches. It is good to have someone I can rely on to do this as I have never been quite sure that it has been adhered to. Away next week at Old Easthameians another of our fellow strugglers and another vital game. But this was agreat result and avery good day.

Written by:Max Herbert