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Premier Challenge Cup Winners 2005	Players receiving their winners trophies	More players receiving their winners trophies	The victorious Merstham players celebrate
Ted Hickman Celebrates from the 'Royal Box' "Well Done Lads"	More celebrations!	A great bunch of Lads!	Chairman Ted Hickman and keeper Colin Harris with the cup Picture courtesy of David Fish

MATCH REPORT
 

 WE DONE IT!

'KINGS OF KINGFIELD'

Merstham made their manager Mick Sullivan proud by defeating AFC Guildford 3-0 at Woking’s Kingfield Stadium, in the Combined Counties Premier Challenge Cup Final.

A most hospitable welcome by all officials at Woking and the Combined Counties League made Merstham feel comfortable keeping nerves to the minimum as they came face to face with their first Cup Final for 14 years, when they were runners up to Frimley Green in what was then called the Dan Air Class Elite Cup.
I don’t think anyone at Merstham could stress how important  a victory against AFC Guildford would be in the hearts to everyone involved with the club especially Mick, the Players and most of all Chairman Ted Hickman who commented “I have  dreamed of this day for many years and all I ask is make the club proud”.

A shaky start from both sides as cup final nerves set in from the off causing panic from both defensive areas. Merstham Keeper Colin Harris was tested six minutes in when a poor clearance by team mate Danny Fitzgerald hit the crossbar and was forced clear by centre back Craig Vernon and a great sigh of relief was heard from the Merstham fans.  Both sides could not seem to hold the ball down, and control it with their own style of play, loosing the ball in vital goal scoring moments. Merstham got their first real opportunity of the game in the 28^th minute  when a great link between Emmy Barr-James and recently returned Jamel Carr found the fast pace of Rhod Davies but he missed his chance, shooting straight at AFC Guildford Keeper Arjuna Adlam. Merstham went from strength to strength with the players finding more confidence to attack the Guildford defence. With chances from long range efforts by both central midfield players Mark Hunter and Adam Carvell Merstham definitely looked more dangerous with their strikes at goal. Mick Sullivan had quite a fright when Captain Chris Boulter was brought down by a poor timed challenge from Guildford’s Tony Mukabaa, who was rightly awarded a yellow card for his reckless tackle, luckily Boulter was not seriously hurt and only had a ripped sock for memory. Guildford seemed very laid back on the ball and, with Merstham’s strength and determination, it was only a matter of time before they opened the scoring. When in the 33^rd minute a great run down the right hand side by Davies picked out Carr in a crowded six yard box to slip in a well deserved first goal for Merstham to send their fans wild. Merstham had a sudden boost in confidence with absolutely no sign of the nerves they had at the beginning of the game. A great working partnership between Carr and Davies caused the majority of the problems for Guildford and with their quick thinking and pace they out classed anyone they came up against.  With this in mind, Guildford rarely troubled Merstham Keeper Harris in the later stages of the half.  In fact, it appeared that the AFC Guildford Manager Mick Wollen was quite pleased when referee Michael Rowley blew the half time whistle.

For all that have seen Merstham play throughout the season would agree that Merstham have not always been able to keep their early leads and that second half performances have been much to be desired. Thankfully, an encouraging half time team talk and pat on the back by Mick Sullivan was more than enough to keep Merstham focused at the start of the second half. This was proved when, a quick counter attack by Barr-James found Davies, who skilfully passed two Guildford defenders to let loose a powerful strike which keeper Adlam could not stop to put Merstham 2-0 up only three minutes into the second half.  Merstham looked settled on controlling the game to keep their vital lead and somewhat frustrating the Guildford players in the process. Mick Sullivan seemed to keep the extra player back when it came to attacking and set pieces just in case of an unexpected counter attack.  This meant that Merstham’s ratio of chances were few and far between but they still had a hunger for goals getting a shot in when given the chance. As time rolled on, Merstham continued to hold the ball well and Guildford became more and more frustrated loosing their concentration on many occasions.  It wasn’t long before Barr-James took advantage of  Guildford’s lack of enthusiasm, tearing down the left hand side to find Carr running into the box who was tripped by a desperate Guildford defender. Referee Rowley pointed straight to the spot.  “Penalty!”  Some of the Guildford players went mad and reacted by head butting two Merstham players.  In the meantime, an unused substitute from Guildford’s bench ran onto the pitch and angrily lashed out punching Rhod Davies in the side of the head and as he fell to ground began to kick him repeatedly.  The whole game became out of control and took a long time to calm down.

This disgraceful behaviour by Guildford must be noted as several Combined Counties League officials were there to witness the event.  Hopefully the players involved will be dealt with accordingly as even their own ‘very embarrassed’ Chairman, Jim Betts, said “I can’t believe the actions that have taken place from my players, all I can do is deeply apologise for their actions”.

After the distraction had stopped, Merstham penalty taker Craig Vernon stepped up in the 90^th minute to comfortably put away Merstham’s third and final goal of the game.  A well justified goal as badly hurt ‘Man of the Match’ Davies had to be substituted due to a suspected concussion and sat out the rest of the game in the dressing room.  A large amount of injury time had to be played but by then the game was all over and Mick Sullivan’s side were crowned winners of the Premier Challenge Cup.  Luckily, Merstham did not have to go through the anguish of extra time, as they did when they last won the Cup 15 years ago against Chipstead in 1989-1990 season.

Merstham now add to their silverware already won by the Youth Teams making it a total of three trophy’s for the season. This performance has set high targets by which they are more than capable of beating providing everyone involved with the club can continue moving forward with the right frame of mind.  In the time honoured phrase by Chairman Ted Hickman “Well done lads!”

Scott Gretton-Doidge