The challenge was set – “last league game of the season – let’s see how much we have learned this year”. These were my words just before the match at Ashtead Colts, as the youngest team from Merstham FC prepared to take to the pitch.

 

They certainly didn’t disappoint, getting straight at their opponents in much the same vein as their previous game, with some delightful passing moves in possession, and hunger for the ball in the tackle when without it.   This team certainly have come a long way this season from their opening day 7 – 1 defeat. They have grown as a team, and it showed. Merstham were enjoying plenty of possession, against a very determined opposition who were keen not to lose at home. Half way through the first half, Merstham turned the possession into a goal, a great flowing move up the pitch being finished off with a stinging drive from Sam Coleman. Five minutes later, Coleman was at it again, running through onto a delightful through ball to hit the target once again with a rising shot into the top of the net. At this point, Ashtead couldn’t live with Merstham, and half time came too early for the visitors.          

 

Ashtead tried a different approach in the second half, getting rather more physical in the challenge, at some points too physical. One player in particular was getting frustrated at his team’s inability to break down a Merstham team who working hard all over the pitch, and even tried rugby tackling Reagan Chatfield at one point. It was no good, Merstham were too strong. Even when the home team did fashion a few chances, Brennan Calafato was in no mood to give up a clean sheet and made three or four top class saves. The visitors saw out the remaining few minutes and finished the match as they have much of the season, on top. With a record of won 9 – Drawn 3 – Lost 4, this team can go into next season with much to look forward to. Well done Merstham U8s!

 

Squad: Brennan Calafato (GK), Samuel Coleman, Josh Alder, Joseph Stone, Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin, Reagan Chatfield, Matthew Jones, Marcio Goncalves

Report by Peter Stone

After a second consecutive draw the week before, Merstham were hungry for a win, in fact, make that starving!

 

In what looked likely to be a closely fought match after ten minutes of to and fro, the boys from Merstham started to play real pass and move football, and never looked back. It was as if the whole team decided they were now Barcelona, and started to play neat passes, plenty of running off the ball and with intent to get forward and score goals. Within the next ten minutes, Merstham were three up, with a hatful of other chances going begging, with the crossbar and post coming to the opponents rescue as much as their overworked goalkeeper.

 

So, half time and 3 – 1 up; What happened in the second half was much more of the same, wave after wave of attacks from Merstham, chance after chance, goal after goal. I wouldn’t be lying if I said it could have been 20 goals, but the team had to settle for 10 on the day. At times, it seemed like the whole team had made it’s way forward, passing and moving as one, and then lining up to take pot-shots at goal. Of course this left the odd gap at the back and led to a couple more goals going the other way, but in the grand scheme of things, it really didn’t matter.

 

The plaudits go to the hat-trick of hat-trick scorers, Reagan Chatfield, Josh Alder and Will Constantin, with Sam Coleman chipping in with the other goal, but honourable mentions must go out to the whole team, who passed, moved and tackled the whole game and made this result possible. If this young team stick together and continue to improve the way they have this year, they could make a real impact in the U9s league next year.

 

Squad: Brennan Calafato (GK), Samuel Coleman, Josh Alder, Joseph Stone, Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin, Reagan Chatfield, Matthew Jones, Marcio Goncalves

Report by Peter Stone

Merstham U8s headed to their latest away game off the back of a demoralising defeat to Leatherhead, and with the squad reduced to the minimum seven players – no substitutes - for the match, it looked like the day might prove difficult. Things didn’t look any better when getting to the ground, faced with a big pitch and a squad from Alexandra Utd which boasted fourteen players… enough to change the whole side at half time just like England in a friendly!

 

Merstham however rolled up their sleeves and demonstrated all the attributes which has seen them develop into such a good team this season. Playing with passion and intelligence, Merstham turned in a dominant performance in the first half, finding themselves two goals up after 15 minutes. The first came from Joseph Stone, putting the ball back in the mixer from outside the area following some Merstham pressure, the ball evading everyone and nestling in the corner of the net. This was soon followed by Sam Coleman, steering the ball into the goal from close range following a Reagan Chatfield free kick. Merstham continued to dominate, however a strike from an opponent, following what looked like handball, hit Chatfield which wrong footed Brennan Calafato in goal just before half time making it 2–1.

 

As the second half wore on, Merstham were holding their own but legs were starting to tire, and with Alexandra with fresh legs all over the pitch, they started to come into the game a bit more. Nathan Gellett, who was having a fantastic game in defence, needed some help so Stone dropped back from midfield to his usual defensive role and Chatfield moved forward. It looked like Merstham would hold out for a fantastic win, but with time running out, the opposition had a corner, and tired legs couldn’t keep them out – another deflection and another goal. Final score 2–2, still an honourable draw and a standout performance from the whole team, who worked so hard for each other and with everything considered, they really deserved the win.

 

 

Squad: Brennan Calafato (GK), Samuel Coleman, Josh Alder, Joseph Stone, Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin, Reagan Chatfield, Matthew Jones, Marcio Goncalves

Report by Peter Stone

After strolling to a 4 – 1 win at home last week, Merstham’s U8s showed they could do it away too, with a fantastic, mature display at South Park which belied their tender years.

 

Merstham made a strong start and never really looked back, dominating the play from first to last, indeed if all their chances had been snapped up we could have been looking at double figures.  It took a while for the domination to turn into goals, and it came directly from a Reagan Chatfield corner, put expertly into the mixer with the goalkeeper flapping into his own net. Chances came and went, but it stayed one-nil until half time.

 

During the second half however Merstham cut loose, displaying all the good things about their game, passing, tracking back, tackling and keeping a good shape. The chances continued to come and this time they were taken, two by Josh Alder, the last by Chatfield. Some of the interplay was a delight to watch, and when not in possession everyone took up their positions and kept the opposition under pressure. With everyone working so hard in front of him, this was one of Brennan Calafato’s easier mornings in goal!

 

A slight lapse at a corner towards the end let South Park in for their consolation goal, but the boys can be really proud of themselves after this display, everyone played their part and stuck to their tasks. Considering this was an away fixture, this was probably the best overall team display of the season so far.     

 

 

Squad: Brennan Calafato (GK), Samuel Coleman, Josh Alder, Joseph Stone, Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin, Reagan Chatfield, Matthew Jones, Marcio Goncalves

Report by Peter Stone

Merstham’s youngest team are maturing beyond their years, with another outstanding team display, running out 3 – 1 winners against a very good Epsom team.

 

The two teams had drawn a hard fought contest earlier in the season, but home advantage and a clinical edge helped Merstham to their fifth win of the season. Both teams started well but it was Merstham who took the lead halfway through the first period, as Reagan Chatfield kept up his astonishing goal scoring record, scoring his tenth of the season with a well placed shot into the top corner. A slight lapse in concentration allowed Epsom back into the match just before half time, leaving the teams level going into the second half, but Merstham were creating lots of chances and were confident of scoring more goals.

 

Halfway through the second half a delightful passing move was finished off brilliantly by Marcio Goncalves, giving Merstham the advantage they didn’t plan on losing. The whole team were a lot more disciplined this week, getting back to make tackles when possession was lost, and working hard for each other. As the end of the match approached, Merstham pushed forward to make the result safe, and another flowing move resulted in Josh Alder smashing the ball into the net from close range.  The final whistle blew moments later and Merstham celebrated another fine win.  This young team are beginning to look a real class act.

 

 

Squad: Brennan Calafato (GK), Samuel Coleman, Josh Alder, Joseph Stone, Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin, Reagan Chatfield, Matthew Jones, Marcio Goncalves

Report by Peter Stone

After two defeats in a row, Merstham U8s headed for their third consecutive away fixture with some trepidation against an Ashtead Colts team they had narrowly beaten at home earlier in the season. What was served up was the most exciting and entertaining game of the season so far, with goals galore and a thrilling finale.

 

It looked as though Merstham’s fears were about to be realised when they found themselves two goals down before the first half was ten minutes old, but collectively they raised their game and started to dominate the play. Slick movement and good passing resulted in Nathan Gellett scoring two great goals in quick succession to level the scores, before Reagan Chatfield got forward from his defensive duties to put Merstham in front just before half time.

 

It was more of the same from the start of the second half, Merstham playing attacking football and getting forward and creating scoring chances at will. Two of those chances were taken, another fine goal from Chatfield and a great piece of skill by Marcio Goncalves, sidestepping the keeper and coolly slotting home. It was all too easy at this point, and so it was that a few mistakes crept in. Everyone fancied their chances of getting on the score sheet and while pushing for more goals, gaps started to appear at the back which Ashtead exploited with a couple of quick fire goals to set up a grandstand finish. Merstham came to their senses and remembered that defence was as important as attack, and eventually saw the game out for a well deserved 5 – 4 win. The whole team deserve credit for the result and performance, especially as they had no substitutes this week.

 

Brennan Calafato had another barnstorming game, making a couple of top drawer saves to ensure the win, Joseph Stone was a giant in defence, at times all alone when the team pushed forward but nevertheless making countless interceptions and clearances. The midfield of Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin and Matthew Jones worked hard for each other and created a multitude of goal chances, while Marcio Goncalves worked tirelessly and got his rewards with his first goal for the team. Reagan Chatfield, in his unaccustomed defensive position, was his usual busy self and took his goals well. All in all, a fantastic performance from the boys, who really enjoyed getting back to winning ways.

Squad: Brennan Calafato (GK), Samuel Coleman, Josh Alder, Joseph Stone, Nathan Gellett, Will Constantin, Reagan Chatfield, Matthew Jones, Marcio Goncalves

Report by Peter Stone

As in the previous game, Merstham came out with more purpose in the second half, and started to put some good passing moves together. With the defence looking more solid and the midfield and attack starting to gel, Merstham began to fashion some chances of their own, and scored the first goal of the half courtesy of a Reagan Chatfield penalty. Chatfield went on to score another with a long range effort, but Wimbledon were not to be denied and went on to score a further 3 goals, narrowly winning the second half 3 - 2. Merstham will put it down to a bad day against superior opposition, and will want to work on their passing game in readiness for their next match.

Report by Peter Stone