Merstham U15 ‘C’ travelled to Horley Town in this top of the table Division One encounter and came away with their biggest away win.

 Manager Keith Fisher should have felt on top of the world but that was the last thing on his mind when his gallant troops showed their delight by piling on top of their manager after finishing their Epsom & Ewell League Division One winning campaign in convincing style.

Ross Knight notched up another Four to finish on an incredible season total of Fifty Five goals. Ashvin Luckoo scored a fine hatrick with Daniel Chapman and ‘Lad of the Match’ Shaqil Begg scoring one apiece. Goal keeper Cullen Dutchman-Bailey showed every one that his goal keeper training has paid dividends by keeping a clean sheet against a team playing for the runners up spot.

Division One Champions Merstham U15 ‘C’ played their final home game of the season against a well spirited Epsom Eagles ‘B’ team. Having already clinched the Division One crown, Merstham were able to enjoy themselves, without any pressure that some teams put themselves under when chasing for honours. The Moatsiders notched up an incredible 100 goals with Daniel Chapman slotting the team’s 100th goal. Ross Knight also enjoyed his mornings run out when he managed to score his 50th goal of the season. Epsom Eagles put up a brave performance but Merstham were too strong in the end. An emphatic 12-0 romp gave the Moatsiders their biggest league win of the season.

After the game managers Keith Fisher and Gerry Beck broke out the champagne for the loyal parents and supporters to enjoy, Fisher stated that although he has got a CHAMPIONSHIP winning team, his loyal band of travelling supporters were also ‘Champions’ in his eyes. The players enjoyed burger & chips after the game, and then they decided to pile on top of Fisher & Beck creating a huge pile of bodies.

Merstham travel to local rivals Horley Town in what will be their last league game of the season, but Fisher is already thinking about strengthening his Back to Back title winning squad, saying, 'There is always room for improvement'. I would like to thank each and everyone who has made things run so smoothly over what has been a long season.

 Merstham U15s ‘C’ will have to wait another week to see if they will seal automatic promotion. Their title chances were also put on hold after losing to a determined Ashtead Colts side that are also in the race for promotion in this League Division One encounter.

 The Moatsiders were hoping to seek revenge against the only team to take any points from them so far this season. Earlier in the season Ashtead inflicted Merstham’s biggest and only defeat a 4-1 home loss. Merstham decided to play up hill in the first half and when the teams were locked at 0-0 they must have thought life would be easier in the second half despite Ashtead having most of the chances but the Moatside defence held out.

 It was Ashtead who broke the dead lock. Merstham were trying to take advantage of the downhill slope but got caught out at the back and now found themselves chasing the game. Zach Ward put the visiting team back on level terms but a complete lack of concentration saw Merstham switch off from an Ashtead throw in leaving three unmarked players on the edge of the penalty area for any one of them to score. Manager Keith Fisher was bewildered as to why his defence stood still; a basic school boy era that cost them dearly. Merstham now had to push forward again to try and get at least a point, they thought they had nicked a point when a late Kelvin Kistnen free kick found its way into the back of the net all Merstham had to do now was to clear the ball away into safety or even pump the ball up field to safety but unfortunately they allowed an Ashtead striker, who had his back to their goal, time to turn and shoot from outside the eighteen yard box. His shot went over the stretching keeper and dipped under the cross bar for a worthy winner.

 Merstham need to put this defeat behind them, and focus on their remaining three games. Merstham’s frustration came to a boiling point after the game, but the simple facts are, they must stay focused and disciplined otherwise the chasing teams will take advantage of their only weakness. Fisher was also bewildered as to why two players failed to turn up without any notice, especially when they are so close to sealing back to back championships.

 Merstham U15s ‘C’ kept their Division One title hopes alive with a bruising encounter against a very physical Hook Youth side in this Epsom & Ewell League Division One encounter. The Moatsiders certainly knew they had a to be well disciplined, Manager Keith Fisher praised his troops for the way they kept nerve, but had to pay the price with two key players suffering nasty knocks, Kelvin Kistnen and Shaqil Begg.  Merstham without a game next weekend have earned a well deserved rest, hopefully their knocks will recover by then and that the parents enjoy there day off. Fisher told his troops that today’s game would be decided by the team who wanted it the most on the day. With awful conditions and a slippery surface Merstham were unable to play their normal flowing football that has seen them top of their Division all season, instead they had to play a more physical style to match the way their opponents were playing. Merstham broke the deadlock, but every time they went into the lead Hook responded. With the scores level at 3-3 at half time with goals from Ross Knight, a brace from Ashvin Luckoo Fisher reminded them to stay focused. Two second half goals, Luckoo's third, and Jaydon Edwards first goal for the club sealed an important victory.

Merstham squad: Dutchman-Bailey, Kosky, Righton, Kistnen, Burfield, Ward, Begg, Powell, Edwards, Knight, Chapman, Sullivan, Harper, Luckoo.

 Merstham U15s ‘C’ travelled to NPL Youth in this Epsom & Ewell Youth League Division One encounter picking up another valuable away victory to put more pressure on the chasing pack.

The Moatsiders were without two regular mid-fielders, Josh Doherty, and Ashvin Luckoo, plus the absence of manager Keith Fisher due to work commitments meant that Assistant Manager Gerry Beck was left to take control. He was forced into making two changes, Jaydon Edwards and Shaqil Begg replaced the injured Doherty and Luckoo. Edwards in fact picked up the lad of the match award.

It was NPL who struck first with an early strike, however Merstham were in a determined mood They levelled through a Daniel Chapman penalty then fellow striker Ross Knight put the Moatsiders 2-1 up just before the interval.

Merstham raised their game in the second half and put the game beyond NPL's reach. Goals from Tommy Powell, a second from the inform Ross Knight, with TJ Sullivan netting straight from a corner kick with a little bit of help from the blustery conditions. NPL scored a late consolation goal making it an impressive 5-2 away win.

Division One toppers Merstham U15s ‘C’ took on unbeaten Premier League toppers Caterham Pumas in this Epsom & Ewell Youth League Cup Qtr-Final. Although finally going out 2-3 The Moatsiders certainly didn't disgrace themselves, in fact their opponents Manager and goalkeeper both stated after the match that was their hardest game by far this season and that they are just as good as any Premier side they have played so far. Merstham manager Keith Fisher passed their comments on to his troops, telling them that he too was proud of the way they played, they now need to focus on winning the Division One title. This would give them back to back Championships.

 Both teams started at a fast pace, it was end to end football, Caterham certainly knew they had a game on their hands. It was Caterham who struck first, with a suspicion of off-side, the pacey Pumas winger slotted under the advancing keeper. However Merstham were in no mood to let their opponents have all the glory without a fight, Zach Ward attacked the right flank and drove a perfect cross that saw Ross Knight rise above everyone else and unleash a bullet header which gave the Moatsiders a well deserved equaliser.

 With the two teams locked at one apiece, Fisher told his brave troops to give him the same again. This however seemed to fall on deaf ears. Merstham found themselves 3-1 down in the first two minutes of the restart, poor marking from a corner, and a penalty, gave Merstham the worst possible start. But Merstham refused to throw in the towel and they pushed forward time and time again, but found a goalkeeper in top form, and in the right place at the right. Merstham's luck seemed to be running out until Ross Knight slammed in a close range shot, to give the under dogs a new lease of life. But the comeback was not to be. It will be Caterham Pumas who progress into the semi-final, but they know they were tested to the limit by the Division One leaders.

 Fisher now knows he has a team ready to compete at the highest level but added he will be looking at strengthening his squad for next season.

Ross Knight picked up the lad of the match award.

Merstham U15s ‘C’ saw off one of their title contenders with their best performance of the season so far. A tough encounter against a strong Stoneleigh side that are currently sitting in third position, in this Epsom & Ewell League Division One fixture. Manager Keith Fisher warned his troops that today’s opponents are quite capable of taking points off them, and that nothing but a top gear performance was needed. This was exactly what he got from his table topping side, as the Moatsiders put in a seasons best performance to seal a very important home win. 

Zach Ward opened the scoring with a close range shot, Stoneleigh responded straight away only to see their effort on goal strike the home teams cross bar. Assistant manager Gerry Beck made a comment from the side line, stating ‘that now would be a good time to score’. Striker Daniel Chapman must have heard his comment, he controlled the ball flicked it up with his left foot and unleashed a Thirty yard right foot effort that looped over the stranded Stoneleigh keeper and under the crossbar, for what will probably be his best goal of the season. In fact, Fisher was thinking of taking Chapman off as he has had a nasty cold the last few days and was ineffective until that moment of sheer class proved him wrong. 

With the score line being 2-0 at half time, Fisher praised his troops for an excellent first half performance, he reminded them that all they have done so far is won the first half and he added that in previous games against today’s opponents, saw them resolving to a more physical game, hoping they would react, or get involved in things that may result in a player getting booked or even sent off.

Merstham were gunning for glory, Stanley Burfield stretched the Moatsiders lead with a fine solo run from midfield and shooting into the bottom right hand corner. Zach Ward netted two more to round off a fine hatrick. Stoneleigh got a late consolation goal when the normally reliable Ashvin Luckoo tried to take on the approaching striker but lost the ball on the edge of the Merstham goal area and the striker slotted past the keeper. The Moatsiders keeper was more frustrated at losing his clean sheet than anything else. Nevertheless, another well earned top of the table victory that puts pressure on the chasing teams.

The home supporters chose Stanley Burfield as their Lad of the match.

Merstham U15'C kept the pressure on the chasing pack with a well disciplined away win against a well spirited Epsom Eagles ‘B’ team in this Epsom & Ewell League Division One encounter. It was top verses bottom.

Merstham showed why they have been top all season with a well organised first half display. Two goals apiece from the League’s top two marksmen Ross Knight and Daniel Chapman saw the Moatsiders in a commanding 4-0 first half lead. Cullen Dutchman-Bailey was a mere spectator in the Merstham goal.

Manager Keith Fisher told his troops to repeat the same in the second half, this however seemed to take to deaf ears as Epsom Eagles started more positive, they managed to pull an early goal back when a defensive error allowed the Eagle eyed striker to score from close range. Merstham were punished again when a lack of communication between the Moatsiders’ Keeper Cullen Dutchman-Bailey and the skipper Tommy Powell which allowed the Eagles striker to slot home into the back of an empty net. Fisher, who had made some earlier changes, told his lads to stop making school boy errors, stay focused, and to concentrate on what they are doing. This seemed to take effect as Merstham began to settle themselves down, and started to play the football that has put them on the top of league. Josh Doherty and Zach Ward both came close with blistering volleys that soared over the crossbar, once again it was the power of Merstham's strike force that saved the day, Knight and Chapman scored a goal apiece to round off an excellent hat-trick each. Luke Kosky put in a lad of the match performance at right back.

Merstham U15s ‘C’ had to work hard to fend off a well spirited Horley Town side in this Epsom & Ewell League Division One encounter. A top of the table clash played in the true spirit of the game, with both teams pushing forward.  It was a day when both keepers pulled off several fine saves, with the Moatsiders breaking the deadlock just before the interval through the hard working Daniel Chapman.

Managers Keith Fisher and Gerry Beck gathered their troops for a half time pep talk. They were reminded that Horley were not going to let them beat them by twelve goals like they did in last month’s cup tie. They had to be on top of their game and that the next goal will be crucial whoever gets it. Merstham normally rely on their fire power of Knight and Chapman, but this week they had their defence and goalkeeper to thank as Horley looked for the equaliser. Cullen Dutchman-Bailey pulled off two great saves in as many minutes, and with a huge drop kick, this enabled Ross Knight to latch on to the ball to slot past the impressive Horley town keeper. This was the boost Merstham needed, Fisher was lucky enough to have Four subs on the day, and how he needed them, legs were beginning to tire, but two more second half goals one apiece for Chapman and Knight sealed a very important victory. Jaydon Edwards put in a man of the match performance in the Merstham defence to help the Moatsiders stretch their lead at the top of Division One.

Division One table toppers Merstham U15s ‘C’ made the short trip to Reigate, where they faced a never say die Reigate Priory side, who earlier in the season gave Merstham their toughest test. Merstham manager Keith Fisher stated to their opponents after the game that if points were won for effort, then they would be top of the league. Once again the Moatsiders had to really work hard to maintain their top spot. Fisher was forced into making several changes due to having three regular players missing. Top Goal scorer Ross Knight was asked to play in the central defence position, this seemed to surprise a few supporters, but Knight showed his versatile ability by putting in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance. Merstham went ahead when striker Daniel Chapman netted the first of a well taken hatrick. Priory levelled shortly afterwards, reminding the Moatsiders that Priory meant business. Merstham were pushing for a second and got caught out with too many players pushing forward at the same time which allowed Priory to level. Merstham regained the lead just before the interval. Fisher & Beck gave their troops a firm talking to, this seemed to take effect.  Chapman scored a second half brace to round off an impressive hatrick, Ashvin Luckoo and Tommy Powell netted one apiece to give Merstham an important  5-2 away win keeping the added pressure on the teams that are chasing them.

Ross Knight continued his goal scoring form with an incredible six goals to help Merstham U15s ‘C’ progress into the next round of the League cup against a well spirited Horley Town team that only had ten players available on the day. Merstham had their regular keeper Cullen Dutchman-Bailey out with a fractured foot; Striker Zach Ward volunteered to stand between the sticks for the Moatsiders but wasn't really tested. Ross Knight's first three goals were all outstanding individual efforts, giving the home side a an early lead, however a ‘never say die’ Horley team managed to pull one back just before the interval. This was a reminder that Merstham needed to concentrate on their game plan. The Moatsiders didn't have a game last week, and had to postpone their Friday night training session, this was beginning to show as some of them were beginning tire in the heavy conditions. Manager Keith Fisher was lucky that he had three subs to call upon but the continuous changing spoiled their normal flowing football. The Moatsiders started the second half in the same mood. A fine hatrick from Ashvin Luckoo, a double strike from ‘Man of the Match’ Tommy Powell with  former top goal scorer Daniel Chapman also getting on the score sheet, making it an emphatic 12-1 victory. Fisher knows it will be a different story next week when the two sides meet again in a top of the table clash.

Merstham U15s ‘C’ put in a determined performance against a plucky Brockham Badgers side in this Epsom & Ewell League Division One encounter. Manager Keith Fisher knew his troops were keen when he turned up and saw them already putting the nets up. He reminded them that when a team is sitting at the top of the League visiting teams will raise their game more. Fisher has noticed that more over the past few weeks, he has also noticed that teams are beginning to get a bit physical against them, something that they will have to learn to deal with.

Merstham started brightly and went ahead when the lively Ross Knight scored the first of his fantastic five. Top scorer Daniel Chapman was unavailable; this gave Ross Knight the chance to overtake him, and how well he took the opportunity to do so. Two goals from Ashvin Luckoo and one from Zach Ward were enough to seal all the points. Ross Knight picked up the man of the match award.