With the usual loyal support Merstham U10s ‘B’ were away to a physically imposing West Byfleet Scorpions team, and on what seemed like quite a large pitch coach John Ellis was pleased to see Alex Burgess turn out allowing for at least one Sub on which would be a physically demanding day, Alex clearly preferred a game of footy instead of a trip to Bournemouth!

The early exchanges were tight with both teams having some attacking moments but the majority of the play was taking place in midfield where Captain of the day Elliot Bennett stamped his authority on the game with some crucial tackles and clever passes which allowed Merstham to break every now and then as the Scorpions gradually started to control things and make more in roads into Merstham’s penalty box.  There first real effort was a long range shot after eight minutes that was destined for the bottom corner but for a full length dive and save from Ben Ellis, Ben Ellis made a few more important saves before the pressure told on the Merstham defence and the Scorpions took the lead. Declan Dennehy’s positional play again at Centre Back was very good as he mopped up many a Scorpion attack and it was from a Dennehy clearance that Merstham tried to hit back with a good effort from Sam Gardiner well saved by the Scorpions goal keeper, but, for the first half this was as close as Merstham could come to scoring.  The Scorpions continued to use their size to dominate and this seemed to upset the usual flowing style of Merstham so as the half progresses so did the pressure put on the Merstham defensive unit and after several more attempts by the Scorpions they eventually made the half time score 2 – 0.

As the second half kicked off Merstham began to get more into their regular stride of passing and moving which created more space for all players that, coupled with some excellent tackling from George Holder showed that Merstham could physically compete.  This spurred on Merstham who began to dominate both territory and possession, ironically though it was a rare break away from the Scorpions that ended up in second halves keeper hands Declan Dennehy to create Merstham’s first chance of the half.  With what has to be the move of the match Declan Dennehy through a quick ball out wide to Alex Burgess who’s first touch and pass quickly put Merstham on the offensive, Sam Gardiner who had made a good run down the line picked up the pass and used his pace to ghost past a Scorpion defender as the bye line approach he fired over a cross which was met with calmness by Ben Ellis who duly tucked it away putting Merstham on the score sheet.  The slick movement continued and it was Merstham’s turn to severely test the Scorpions resolve. With just shy of 20 minutes to go George Holder won another tackle in the midfield the ball broke to Sam Gardiner who slotted a through ball into the Scorpions penalty area where Ryan Walker used his pace and at full stretch got a foot to the ball and guided it into the goal 2-2. After that the sides were extremely evenly matched and it became a game of counter attacking football, Henry Jablonski clearing out most of the Scorpion attacks with well timed clearances which again put the pressure back on them.  With only a few minutes remaining it was one of these Jablonski clearances that broke through the entire Scorpions defence, Sam Gardiner latched onto the loose ball and raced clear of the defenders, having made it into the box he shot to left where the Scorpions goalkeeper made a fine save. Moments later with Merstham pressing on the Scorpions had one final break and managed to squeeze a good shot into the roof of the Merstham net and steel the points.

Merstham's second league game was reduced to a six aside affair with Bookham Colts unable to field a full side causing coach John Ellis some selection issues on whom to leave out, but with a very flexible squad it was Ben Ellis who started in goal the fourth, but very capable, goalkeeper of the season whose positional play was excellent throughout the first half. 

Again Merstham started brightly with the entire side seemingly up for the challenge and with the trademark crisp passing and good movement off the ball Merstham showed great team work to dominate both territory and possession from the outset. Ryan Walker controlled the early play in midfield creating plenty of chances which put Bookham Colts under pressure and were forced to concede a couple of corners.  From the first the Bookham Colts keeper could only parry the ball out to Declan Dennehy who hit a fantastic half volley into the bottom corner giving the opposing keeper no chance and Merstham a well deserved lead. The second was missed entirely by the Bookham Colts keeper and fell a yard from the line where Sam Gardiner turned it in from a tight angle with his left foot, a true poacher’s goal. With Declan Denney’s confidence high after his goal he grew into his new position, having previously played in goal, as the half moved on with good organisation of the back line and great positional play snuffing out any rare attacks from Bookham Colts that broke through the Merstham midfield. With Ryan Walker taking a breather it was George Holder who picked up the reigns in the midfield showing good passing skills and keeping the flowing football going, but more importantly making every tackle he went in for, a great first half performance. Both George Holder and Declan Dennehy had already laid a good claim to the man of the match award. The half continued with Merstham very much on top with George Croucher getting everywhere and creating problems for the Bookham Colts defence.  Merstham defenders Elliot Bennett and Henry Jablonski were getting shots in on goal in a dominant first half show.

With so much first half dominance Merstham seemed to switch off at the start of the second half and with sloppy play and a lack of concentration conceded a soft goal to let Bookham Colts back in the match, and although Merstham responded almost immediately with a well struck goal from the edge of the box by Sam Gardiner but the sloppy play from Merstham continued for the first ten minutes. This was highlighted by Bookham Colt’s second goal which was scored whilst the five Merstham outfield players completely neglected any defensive duties, all of which were not more than ten yards from the Bookham box.  This left three Bookham players free to run through and score again giving them some hope. This seemed to refocus Merstham who stepped it up a gear and put the game to rest with a good strike from Ryan Walker, who it has to be said gave the best goal celebration to date.  George Holder, Declan Dennehy and Alex Burgess continued to play well with George Holder desperate to get on the score sheet with three or four great efforts the best of which was a volley narrowly clearing the bar.

All in all a good performance by Merstham and a well deserved win.  Finally it was down to Coach John Ellis to name the man of the match and if team selection earlier was tough this was tougher with both Declan Dennehy and George Holder very much deserving.  Unable to decide the spoils were shared a good decision given the closeness of the call.

Well Cup Day has been and gone, unfortunately Merstham U10s ‘B’ came up against a physically strong AFC Ewell team that plays in a league two tiers above them making this a particularly tough ask from the outset for the home side.

Despite the difference in size and experience Merstham started positively and managed to maintain a certain amount of possession. The game was pretty much end to end with AFC Ewell using their strength and size to latch on to long balls that bypassed the Merstham midfield.  Merstham on the other hand showed composure and more guile creating some nice passing patterns that led to a couple of chances, the most notable of which fell to Ryan Walker who's sharp turn and shot hit the post after 13 minutes.  With Merstham closing in on the rebound they were lucky not too take the lead.
Sam Gardiner, Ryan Walker and Ben Ellis showed signs that a good understanding was being built between them and played some nice one two's, however, as the half went on AFC Ewell began to dominate and test the Merstham defence - Henry Jablonski, Elliot Bennett, Alex Burgess and George Croucher coping admirably with increasing pressure. Declan Dennehy, as he was in the first game, looked solid and made some more very good saves as Ewell came closer to breaching the Merstham goal and indeed but for an amazing piece of defensive cover from George Croucher who athletically cleared the ball of the line on the 25 minute mark would have fell behind. So with half time fast approaching it looked like 0-0 at half time.  AFC Ewell had other ideas and in a mad five minutes had three attempts on goal all of which found the target, the quality of the goals were of a high standard with little Merstham could do to prevent them, with exception maybe of the headed goal resulting from a corner.

With the second half underway, George Croucher went between the sticks but could not stop the four second half strikes from AFC Ewell that made up the final score line of 0-7 throughout which Merstham kept on pushing and some good second half performances should be noted. George Holder was much more involved and made some excellent runs with the ball and also showed good distribution to his team mates finishing one move with a shot which was charged down. Alex Burgess played further up the pitch in the second half and he too had some twinkly runs beating several players each time again finding team mates with some good crisp passing.  Ryan Walker showed good leadership and organised the team well.  Elliot Bennett and Henry Jablonski stood firm in defence both making some excellent tackles at critical times, but it was Henry Jablonski who managed to scoop the man of match award by growing in confidence as the match went on and getting involved in almost every piece of action.

0-7 is a slightly harsh result and Merstham should take the positives out the game both individually and as a team.  Firstly as a team they worked their socks off and it’s fair to say that everyone gave 100%, secondly at times the passing was slick and crisp and generally deployed a more flowing style of football than their opponents (watch out Arsenal come the end of the season) a very good sign for their remaining league games.

Man of the Match - Henry Jablonski

It was with much disappointment that two of the Merstham players were not allowed to play today because the correct paper work was not in place and a less than charitable Hook side refused to allow the boys to play - well done to George Croucher and Ryan Walker for supporting the team anyway.

As they kicked off Merstham instantly got into their rhythm and began to attack.  Ben Ellis received the ball on left from the kick off and went on a scintillating run beating several players before striking the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box and into the goal opening the scoring in spectacular fashion. Merstham looked well organised and confident in possession and controlled the next seven or eight minutes of play with Alex Burgess and George Holder distributing the ball well. However, Hook were persistent and gradually started to come back into the game with some good moves of their own and it was only with some stout defending by Merstham and Elliot Bennett in particular that Hook were held at bay. Still under pressure Merstham were able to break from a sweeping pass from Alex Burgess and with some speed create a man advantage; whilst the passing was a little scrappy the ball eventually fell to Sam Gardiner who shot from just inside the box, the keeper could only parry the ball which went into the net to make it 2 - 0. With Hook making some substitutes and getting fresh legs on they were able to apply more pressure as the half went on and but for two marvellous saves from Declan Dennehy, (the first from a well struck drive where Declan Dennehy launched himself low too his right and with a strong right hand pushed the ball away.  The second he was quickly off his line to the feet of an attacker who was clean through and smothered both the ball and the opportunity for Hook to get back in the game). Declan continued to play well making several more impressive saves but eventually after 20 minutes Hook got their first goal followed by another two minutes later.

Hook started the second half, again with fresh legs, much the same as Merstham in the first and attacked from the kick off.  With a change in goal for Merstham as Ben Ellis went between the posts and whilst making some fine saves of his own he could do nothing with Hook’s third just two minutes after the restart, nor five minutes later when they got their fourth. Merstham regrouped and got back in the game with great effort and spirit being showed, the midfield began to get involved with George Holder winning the ball and getting it forward to Henry Jablonski who (Henry had been moved to striker) with a deft touch slipped the ball to Sam Gardiner who showed some pace to race past two defenders and slot the ball into the far corner.  Merstham continued to press and Henry Jablonski struck a couple of sweetly timed first time shots just past the post. Finally with so much pressing Merstham were caught on the break and Hook got their 5th and the final goal of the game.

It goes without saying had Merstham had all the resources of the squad available they could have pressed on to have won this game quite comfortably - WELL DONE BOYS a great effort from all.

Man of the Match - Sam Gardiner