Author: Matt Haswell

This was a hard won point away in East London. It was not the conditions for pretty football and there was little of that on a poor surface, even by Jo Hood’s standards, and with a gale blowing down the length of the pitch. Old Es kicked down hill and down gale for the first half. It really was a strong wind and our whole team defended resolutely clearing a great number of swirling high balls. But for our part we got our tackles in and created a few good chances of our own from passing movements which were not helped by the pitch. In fact, strangely both teams played better into the teeth of the gale. Our best chances came and we definitely played our best football in the first half. Jase headed narrowly wide after a very good passing movement and a flighted Will Low cross. We had a few corners (See pic of a Old Es clearance)So when we walked off the pitch for half time all square I thought we could win. Unfortunately I think that is what all the Merton lads thought.(See pics of half time talk from Clappers) As it happened Old Es had a much better second half. They came out of the blocks very quickly and tested our defence and started to dominate. Old Es No 9 lead their line well throughout the game and they played off him effectively. With the help of the wind we repelled them but their centre back (No 5) controlled the back and cleared pretty much everything. We had a few chances from corners but far too often we launched the ball high and forward hoping for the gale to give us something. Right at the end Will Taylor screamed a volley agonisingly wide and then the game was over. This was our third clean sheet in a row, but unlike the previous two, I felt this had a little more good fortune in it as Old Es carved out and then wasted two golden opportunities in the second half. Still a point is a point and it was never going to be easy. And we certainly battled away. The whole squad put in a good shift and we defended well and in an organised way. Clappers lead and organised the team in his characteristic style. Next week its back to the Hood and the comparatively lush turf for the visit of Alleyn Old Boys who are flying high in the division. It is very tight at the bottom with 4 sides within 2pts of one another and we need to keep up the momentum we have developed. (Max Herbert).

Team:Sherbs (GK), Jonesy, Clappers (Capt) Browner (Olly Braid 50mins), Clowesy, Woody, John Lynch, Tills, Willgo, Willow, Jase (Will Taylor 70 mins). Sub not used Vanny

MOM:

Written by:Max Herbert

It was a bit of a disappointing day down at the Hood on Saturday with all three home teams losing. More so for the 2s and 4s who probably started as favourites to win but we knew we were up against strong opposition. The visitors, Alleyn Old Boys are strong challengers for promotion in division 2. It was in fact a pretty good game to watch with both teams moving the ball around on a much better surface than we often have at the Hood at this time of year. Alleyns settled very quickly and took the game to Merton. They had much the better of the play but their final ball let them down. Merton looked to counter on the break but were increasingly pegged back. We did have a couple of chances and shouts for penalties in melees but nothing serious. Alleyn’s went ahead on the half hour when we failed to deal with a cross and the half clearance was picked up and rifled home. We came back a little after that but 1-0 at half time was not too bad. The defence and midfeld had worked well and the forwards had done their share of closing down. The optimism of forcing a result in the second half soon disappeared as it started very badly with us conceding a rather soft penalty which was rifled home. This was a real self inflicted wound but in true Merton style we battled back. Woody and Tills worked their socks off and Browner had an outstanding game against some quick and lively forwards. Sherbs dealt with some difficult moments and got the knocks to prove it. Most of our good attacking started down the left with Jonesy making inroads. The goal that we deserved came from a well delivered free kick from Woody headed powerfully home at the far post. With about 10 mins to go we pressed really hard and gave Alleys something to worry about but they held on for the 3pts that they deserved. The game was really well reffed by Pat Ryan and helped keep the game flowing in the right spirit.

We are in the relegation dog fight with Old West Citz anchored at the bottom and then us Old Actonians who we have to play twice, CEVs and Weiside the other candidates. At the top it is two out of the three Civil Service, BB Eagles and today’s opposition. I thinkCivil Service may well win it but it is very close between AOBs and BBE. AOBs looked a very good side in the way they moved the ball about and ran into space and they had a bit of pace so it will be interesting to see what happens. Next week we get a look at BB Eagles again. As ever some weird stuff turned up to be washed with the kit (see pic) whose are these? The clever money is on Willgo. Vanny usually slips his smalls in to the kit bag to get a spin but he was with the 2s.

Team:(4-3-3); Sherbs (GK), Jonesy, Browner, Clappers, John Lynch, Tills, Woody, Will Low, Willgo, Jase (Tom Rowe), Will Taylor (Hoppy).

MOM:

Written by:Max Herbert

Merton were able to continue their good form with a gutsy performance securing a deserved point against a very competitive HSBC side. It is a great pleasure to go to HSBC whatever the outcome because of their tremendous facilities it is even nicer when you come away with something. HSBC started the better and got into their stride much better than us. They had the confidence of a side that had a successful promotion season last year and have made a good start to this campaign. They were quickly ahead. Oaksey made a good save from a corner but they were quicker to the loose ball and smashed it home. They then dominated the game but we gradually got a foothold in the game and 1 nil at half time meant we had everything to play for. We played much better in the second half and after creating a number of chances Browner headed the equaliser powerfully from a corner. We ere well on top in the second half and it was HSBC who were pinned back. We had some good movements but our shot or final ball disappointed. When they pressed our defence held out strongly and Oaksey did some great work from corners. The ref, Obi Bentley, had a good game, although he made enough decisions to upset everyone. It was one of those games that was very competitive, if not combative, and needed a strong ref otherwise it might have got out of hand. And he was that strong ref. This was an excellent performance from Merton because HSBC were a very good strong well organised team and whilst both teams may think it was three points lost a draw was probably a fair result. Everyone performed really well but a couple of relative newcomers were outstanding; Matt Bosher worked his socks off to good effect and Hoppy after he had beenfouled rather nastily got his dander up and won everything in midfield for the last 20 mins. But in fairness everyone put in a good shift as did their players. Home to Old Actonians next week which will be another hard game. Max Herbert

The one’s continued their recent improvement in form with a convincing win and a very welcome 3 points down at the Hood on Saturday. Matt Bosher fired Merton into an early lead and we were quickly 2 nil up when their keeper lost his footing and slipped allowingMatt’s shot into the goal. Aided by a strong win Merton continued to dominate but failed to add to the score. I was expecting a second half siege as Old As assisted by the wind showed their well known grit. But it just didn’t happen. If anything we played better in the second half and a good move Involving Jase ended up with driving the ball home from 15 yards to complete his deserved hat trick. We carried on carving out good chances with some nice football and Jase carried on missing them. This was a good team performance particularly in the second half with a strong midfield performance; Hoppy very strong and winning a lot in the air. Tills was back to his best and Woody strong in the tackle., not always on time. Clappers and Browner were excellent at the back and Oaksey got the 3rd clean sheet which was well deserved. Jase worked well with Bosh and also had his third rant in as many weeks. This was a good win. The second goal was a stroke of bad luck for Old As and I think they decided it wasn’t going to be their day. And they were right. Nothing really went for them apart from Jase’s shooting. Their were some fruity tackles and one of their lads was sent off for two yellows. We had some bookings. Overall the game was well and sensibly reffed by Robbie Walsh Bosh was also subbed so he could take the standing ovation from the crowd. He wanted everyone to know he was No 11.

An excellent all round performance and a good win and now for the three consecutive cup fixtures.

MOM:Matt Bosher

Written by:Max Herbert

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This was a cracking performance in a cup competition where we have not enjoyed a great deal of success in the past. In the early days a first round bye was as good as it got. And a cup run was a long drive to Redhill to get thumped. But now this is almost a cup run as we had a bye in the first round and are now in the third round away to Warlingham. (Should that be Warbling ham – Ed). The game kicked of a little late in the depths of darkest dampest Surrey. Lingfield got into their stride very quickly and Sherbs had to be very alert to keep them out several times in first 10 minutes with good hands and good positioning.. The game took a bizarre twist on the quarter hour when their nippy forward chased an over hit through ball. Sherbs was gathering it in on the edge of the area so said Nippy forward gave up the chase and Liam Palmer in hot pursuit caught up with him well his heel and down he went. Straight red card. The general (Merton) view was that it was not the best decision. It was not a foul, it was not a goal scoring opportunity unless Sherbs was going to turn round and chuck it in and he did not even consult his lino. But we were down to 10 men and it was a game changing moment but not in the way most present anticipated. It took a few minutes to settle down and then, I don’t know why but Lingfield took their foot off the gas and took time on the ball to develop any moves. Our 10 men were spurred on by a sense of injustice and never looked to be outnumbered. Tills dropped into centre back where he was outstanding. Woody bossed and bullied in mid field but everyone upped their gameby the necessary percentage. It was no surprise when we went ahead with Jason Marsh latching on to a through ball and chipping it over their keeper. We nearly made it 2 nil when Jason crashed it against the post. Early in the second half a long goal kick was flicked on by Woody and Bosh took it on and put it past the keeper. It wasn’t until the last 10 when Lingfield showed the desire and urgency they had been missing and mounted some attacks but we held out. There was a nasty moment when they crashed a header against the bar. There was a shout for a penalty and their player took revenge with a hideous violent tackle which should have beena straight red card. The ref did not have a great game and he was being assessed. In my view he got the big decisions wrong but on the rest seemed up to it. I did not realise until the end of the game how difficult the tacky wet surface was to move the ball about. Lingfield have a nice set up even if it is a bit damp. It is a good bar, floodlights cups of tea and all that. But everyone of the Merton team and subs did really well and secured a memorable win. It was the lucky blue kit again with the famous socks that did the trick again. Back to an important league game at home on Saturday to BB Eagles.

MOM:

Written by:Max Herbert

The 1s kicked off 2013 with a point away from home at Old Es. With both teams at the wrong end of the table, neither wanted to come away with nothing. Merton settled in quickest with some slick passing play and controlled most of the first half without really threatening the opposition goal.

That was until the last few minutes when good work from Tom Rees resulted in Woody finding himself inside the six yard box but could only fire straight at the keeper’s legs. The move deserved a goal. Merton then found themselves 2-0 down 15 mins into the second half after some poor defending from a corner and a rare Oaksy error. It could have been worse if the ref had not have correctly called an indirect freekick after there busy number 10 had smashed an effort in from the half way line. That seemed to spark Merton back into life and – with the introduction of Dan Whiteman, Will Low and John Lynch – the deficit was halved after Dan curled home a perler from 20 yards. The equaliser wasn’t far behind, and Tills nodded down for Will Low to stab home from a Woody corner. A winner wouldn’t have been unjust, but we left it too late. A solid point – it should have been more.

MOM:

Written by:James Tilley

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Merton were comprehensively beaten and dumped out of the Surrey AFA cup on what was a desperately disappointing day away at Woking. We never really started and most surprisingly never really showed the battle or steel that has been the backbone to or performances in recent years. Woking were bright and quickest to most second balls in the opening 20 minutes and it was no surprise that they took the lead after we failed to deal with a direct run and cross from the left and the simplest of headers giving Sherbs no chance at the near post. One should have been two when their number 7 didn’t make the most of some belated Christmas kindness from Browner 25 yards from goal after he’d been gifted the ball. With our midfield three failing to get any foothold in the game and looking distinctly Clappers read the riot act and demanded that at least the basics were taken care of. Unfortunately they weren’t and within 10minutes of the restart their number 7 got in behind the back four and had all the time in the world to slot past Sherbs. The introduction of Ivan down the right gave some much needed impetus and his direct running created a couple of chances, most notably for Jason who could only hit his shot straight at the keeper. Tom Rees was also unlucky to see his shot deflected over the bar. Their third and fourth goals followed soon after – the fourth an excellent curling effort into the far corner. We pushed for a consolation in the last 15 minutes, but their keeper didn’t have much to worry about. It was was a very bad day of the office but we move on and focus back on the league where we have 13 games left to play in what will be a busy few months. Old Wokingians were a young and lively side who will go in to the semis with confidence. It is a shame that we didn’t give them more of an examination.

MOM:

Written by:James Tilley

The 1s got back to winning ways in a tight and fiery encounter against bottom of the league Carlshalton. With conditions at the Hood just about playable we settled quickest and controlled the opening 15 minutes but were unable to convert a flurry of half chances, the best of which fell to Bosher and Jonesy. From a position of relative comfort we quickly found ourselves two goals down after a combination of some very sloppy defending and good finishing by the Carlshalton front two. Thankfully though there was to be no repeat of last week. Although without Browner’s goal-saving sprint and robbing of their winger at the start of the second half it could have been worse. After this we dominated the half and after a trademark Woody free-kick and a well taken finish by Bosher we were back on level terms. With 20 minutes to go there was only going to be one winner and, after Femi and Reesy had spurned decent chances, it was down to that man Bosher to turn in the winner to ensure our first win of 2013. It was a spirited squad performance with all 14 playing their part but we can’t afford to give teams two goal leads if we harbour hopes of challenging for a place in the top half of the table.

MOM:

Team:Oaksey (GK), Al Gladkow, Browner,Clappers, Jonesy, Woody (Dan Whiteman, 60), Tilley (John Lynch, 20), Hoppy, Tom Reece, Matty Bosher, Jason Marsh (Femi, 60).

Written by:James Tilley

For three quarters of the game it was hard to understand quite how we were at opposite ends of the table to high flying BB Eagles. For the other quarter it looked like the first time that we had ever played together. The afternoon had started so well, with Matty Bosher continuing his fine form in front of goal, firing in from close range after a Clappers flick on from a Hoppy long throw. We were good value for the lead, with the middle three of John, Hoppy and Woody pulling the strings and denying space for the opposition. We then decided to take a hammer to the self-destruct button and by half time were 4-1 down. Sloppy defending, poor communication and an inexplicable refusal to do the simple things across the park (combined with some good finishing) meant that we were out of it by the break. We did however, produce a spirited second half display and were unlucky not to get one or two back through a questionable offside decision and some bad luck inside their box with the ball just not falling to our front three. We travel to Old Actionans next week who are also in the race for promotion, hopefully we’ll leave the hammer at home.

MOM:

Team: Oakes, Jonesy, Clappers (Capt), Browner, Clowsey, John L, Hoppy, Woody, Will L, Dan W, Matt Bosher

Written by: James Tilley

This was a hugely important win and 3pts for Merton in a relegation battle with Old Finchleans. The boys carried on from where they left off last Saturday. I don’t mean where they left off celebrating because that was Sunday morning 3am and they were in a shabby condition but where they left off playing. It was an impressive performance that secured an impressive 2-2 draw with Polytechnic . Both games were played on the very good 3G surface at Tooting and Mitcham’s ground. Seemingly in recognition of the importance of the fixture, Andy Copeland who is in charge of communications at the SAL came to witness and photograph the game aswell as the 3s game on an adjacent pitch for SAL’s Facebook. These were ideal playing conditions and after both teams settled down we started to take control and create chances but failed to convert them until Woody set up Dan Whiteman who finished well. (1-0, 25mins). Jason Marsh had a good shout for a penalty when he was the victim of some grappling but to no avail. But shortly after another Woody diagonal pass was volleyed spectacularly and unstoppably by Tom Rees into the net. Old Fs had shown little other than playing their centre Forward through but he scuffed his shot and Sherbs got a foot to it. 2-0 at HT). Clappers gave his usual rousing HT team talk but for the first 10 mins it was Old Finchleans who came into the game and with a bit of pressure created some opportunities but did not really threaten too much. Sherbs caught some crosses and tidied upm at the back. This proved to be a little bit of a swan song for the opposition because soon it was Merton back on top and creating good opportunities and missing them until Tom Rees latched onto a ball that had been flying round their area and buried to make it 3-0 (65 mins). We had a number of opportunities to increase the margin of victory, none better than when Woody brok clear and delayed enough to allow the centre half to flatten him from behind but Peter Koscoliek, ( the ref) who had an otherwise excellent game thought that was fair enough and perhaps it was. It was an excellent all round performance from Merton who now move significantly up the table. Clappers and Browner dominated in the heart of the defence and the midfield trio of John Lynch, Woody and Hoppy were excellent in midfield. Dan Whiteman and Tom Rees took their chances in great style. I suspect Old Fs had a few players missing but they still had some excellent players out there. Their Centre back, who made a run from deep and hit rasping shot from that flew narrowly over the bar (to the family’s great relief – but the boy had it covered) and centre mid both had excellent games but it just wasn’t enough. Merton were not to be denied driven on by Captain Clappers. There are some important battles still to be fought but we may have turned the corner and need to build on this. Well done lads.

MOM:

Team:Sherbs , Clowesy, Browner, Clappers (Capt), Jonesy, Dan Whiteman (1), Hoppy, John Lynch (Al Gladkow 75mins), Woody, Jason Marsh (Matt Bosher 63 mins), Tom Rees(2)

Written by:Simon Clapperton