Saturday 5th February 2005
Merstham 2 v 2 Netherne Falcons
Honours even for Merstham U10s

 
It can be astonishing how the dynamics of a small team can be changed by one person. This week Merstham were without their key centre midfielder Danny Gianetta and it showed. For the first 20 minutes despite playing hard they could not quite get a grip on this game. Throughout the first half Merstham were kept alive by some great goal keeping by Grant Joy and some tough defending by Val Garrec and Alex Tibble.  It was only in the second half once Netherne had scored and gone ahead did Merstham really come alive. Eventually Elliot Wheeler managed to force his way down the wing before crossing it in to Val Garrec  who put a beautifully timed shot into the net. As usual Ross Knight was not to be left out of the goals despite being pulled back to a midfield position, and scored a lovely little goal to put Merstham ahead. The game could have been played to its natural conclusion then but for a brief moment of weakness which the Netherne attackers seized on and pressed home a move that beat the Merstham defence - and the catlike Joy.

At the final whistle 2-all and honours even for two very good teams.

Merstham Team: Knight, Joy(GK), Tibble, Wheeler, Hancock, O'Fee, Garrec, Elsey and Stevens.

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 22nd January 2005
Hook 0 v 8 Merstham
Merstham return to form

After last weeks unhappy 4-1 loss in their cup game against Caterham, it was good to see Merstham back on form. After a slightly hesitant beginning it was Alex Tibble who started the ball rolling with a beautiful clearance right across the field to Elliot Wheeler who was able to push on through Hooks defences before driving the ball into the net. Then it was Wheeler's turn to set one up for Ross Knight who as usual, made no mistake about putting the ball in. Minutes later Knight again picked up a loose ball and put another goal in. Throughout the first half Val Garrec proved just how versatile he is at playing in right defence. Not only did nothing get past him and his partner Tibble, but Garrec often overlapped with Wheeler in some very sharp attacking moves down the right wing. Danny Giannetta was also putting his mark on the game by dominating the centre field and eventually scoring goal number four with another one of his long 'power shots' from about twenty yards out. Just before half time Tyler Elsey came on and promptly made his mark by scoring with a beautiful shot that curved in from almost the corner post. It seemed by half time that Hook were almost out of it with Mike Hancock and Grant Joy almost redundant at the back and in goal. But Hook still had enough spirit in them to keep Hancock active protecting the back and Joy was forced more than once to make some cat like saves.
The second half started with Tom O'Fee taking over as Centre Forward. Five minutes in and Giannetta had once again started moving forward with the ball before setting up a lovely pass for O'Fee to drive into the net for number six. The game was not over and Hook's young captain was still in determined mood trying to push down their left wing. But Val Garrec was all to often in his way and more often than not, came of better. Garrec then made his own break through Hooks defence to score with a cracking shot. And not to be outdone Merstham's other stalwart defender Alex Tibble moved upfield just in time to follow up on Giannetta's attack and put in goal number eight herself.

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 8th January 2005
Merstham 4 v 5 Stoneleigh Athletic
Heavy start to the year!

On a very windy cold pitch Merstham started  the second half of their season with a second round game against Stoneleigh who they only narrowly beat in 6-5 battle at the end of last year.  On paper, Merstham  should have won this comfortably being able to field a complete side at home. The game started well and within seven minutes Ross Knight had pushed through Stoneleigh's defence to set up Jack Stephens for the first goal. Minutes later Alex Tibble cleared to Elliot Wheeler who pushed down the left wing before crossing it in for Ross Knight to score.  A midfield battle ensued with Danny Giannetta fighting to hold dominance but Stoneleigh were not going quietly and pulled one back  before Ross Knight scored his second. By now Val Garrec, Merstham's tough midfield/defender was also on the pitch and Merstham should have been able to maintain a comfortable lead but Stoneleigh had other ideas.
Slowly their defenders began to close out Merstham , and more to the point their attackers began to break through with some sharp passing. By halfway through the second half Stoneleigh had scored three more goals to put them ahead. At that point Elliot Wheeler was put back on and with the combined strength of Stevens, Giannetta and Knight, Merstham were able to force Stoneleigh on to the defensive. The equaliser came from a Ross Knight corner that Wheeler put into the net from a goal mouth scramble.  It could have been honours even but then with only four minutes to go, a revitalised Stoneleigh made one last push and to score one last deciding goal.

Overall an exciting game but not the result one might have expected

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 11th December 2004
Warren Mead B 1 v 0 Merstham
 

Merstham U10’s were away to Warren Mead B for this match between the 4^th and 5^th placed teams in the table, for what proved to be an even and competitive game with Warren Mead eventually getting a 1 – 0 home win. The match started with both teams pushing forward with an early chance for Warren Mead which they were unable to put away.  Merstham were without two of their regular midfield players but the squad played well with several players adjusting to new positions and roles. Merstham almost went ahead just before half time when a shot from Val Garrec shaved past the post. Tom O’Fee fought hard up front in the first half but was unable to find space through a well organised Warren Mead defence.
The second half started well with both teams striving for that all important first goal. Merstham almost took the lead with a passing move from Jack Stevens to Val Garrec with Alex Tibble’s shot hitting the side netting. Shortly after, a Merstham corner resulted in a long shot from Ross Knight that was just over the bar. Grant Joy was kept busy in the Merstham goal making some fine saves, however his dive for the ball was beaten half way through the second half and Warren Mead went ahead. Michael Hancock and Tyler Elsey defended well for Merstham who continued to push forward but were unable to get the equalizer.

Chris Tibble

Saturday 4th December 2004
Roundshaw Colts 5 v 1 Merstham
Out but not down!

This Saturday  saw Merstham  U10s play  Roundshaw Colts in a cup game. Roundshaw  who play in a division above Merstham opened the scoring with a well deserved goal after putting Merstham under a great deal of pressure. However, it was not long till Elliot Wheeler made a break down the right wing before crossing it to Ross Knight who made short work of cracking it into the net.
However that was to be it for Merstham who were gradually worn down by a stronger side who were able to capitalise on any and every mistake made. No matter how hard midfielders Val Garrec and Jack Stevens tried they just could not break through the Roundshaw defence. And defenders Tyler Elsey, Mike Hancock and Alex Tibble just found themselves outgunned by a formidable Roundshaw front line. Even the indestructible Grant Joy injured his shoulder and swapped position with Elliot Wheeler who then had the hapless task of trying to keep Roundshaw out. The final score 5-1 to Roundshaw but Merstham were still able to keep their heads up after one very tough game.

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 6th November 2004
Merstham 1 v 1 West Ewell Wanderers
Merstham fight to a 1 - 1 draw

After two weeks of not playing, Merstham met West Ewell who arrived looking strong and confident. It promised to be a good game and was.  It was Merstham’s Ross Knight who drew first blood when he picked up the ball in mid field from a long defensive kick and ran through West Ewell’s defenders to score after seven minutes.
The game then settled into a midfield battle until just before half time West Ewell managed to pull one back when Merstham allowed a corner kick to become a goalmouth scramble and West Ewell scored. The second half continued in much the same vein. Merstham built up several good individual and team attacks but never quite managed to score. Knight hit the goal posts twice, Elliot Wheeler had two close misses and Val Garrec made several good charges battling his way through only to be denied by Ewell’s goal-keeper. Michael Hancock made his debut playing right defence and earned his spurs by making a spectacular clearance off the goal line. At full time the score was still “one all” and Merstham had to settle for just the one point.
 

Alex Tibble welcomes her new co defender Michael Hancock (centre)
with mid-fielder Elliot Wheeler watching

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 16th October 2004
Merstham 2 v 1 Oxshott Royals
Tough but good

It was destined to be a good cup game – and it was.  Oxshott started very strongly forcing Merstham back into their half and putting goalkeeper Grant Joy under some pressure. However, eight minutes into the game Elliot Wheeler made a break down the left wing, running the ball into the corner before centring it for Daniel Gianetta to drive a great shot home from 20 yards out.
Oxshott came back time and again but Merstham’s well organized defence kept them at bay. The second half started well for Merstham when Ross Knight picked up the ball after Kick off and ran straight through Oxshott to surprise their goalkeeper by scoring Merstham's second goal within 30 seconds of the whistle blowing. The game continued as a battle of the midfield with good and hard play by both teams until 3 minutes before full time when Oxshott pulled one back. The final score 2-1 to Merstham.
“A hard but good game for the youngsters” commented Paul Elsey, Merstham's U10 Manager.

Rod Wheeler

Sunday 10th October
Merstham 9 v 2 Wolves B
... and recovery

Sunday morning the U10 squad were back on the pitch to face Wolves U10 B team for a cup game.  Wolves scored first with an excellent long cross which their forward volleyed into the back of the net. However Merstham lost none of their composure and if anything it seemed to spur the Merstham attackers on into a goal rampage. It started with Val Garrec pushing through from midfield and crossing the ball to Ross Knight who made short work of putting it into the net. Next it was Knight who slid a short cross to Elliot Wheeler who promptly scored number two. Goals three and four were scored by Jack Stevens and Daniel Gianetta respectively before Wolves managed to pull one back just before half time.
In the second half manager Paul Elsey felt comfortable enough attempt some experimenting. Tom O’Fee was put into the Centre Forward position and showed his gratitude by scoring number five. Daniel Gianetta produced a strong solo effort for number six, Val Garrec number seven, Ross Knight number eight and last but no way least, Alex Tibble who normally spends her game defending was seen dashing down the left wing to take a pass from Ross Knight and put the ball squarely into Wolves net. Final score 9-2. A particularly gratifying score after the hard lessons learned the day before.

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 9th October
Merstham 0 v 8 Nutfield
Reality Check...

After four games of winning very comfortably Merstham U10’s met Nutfield and a reality check on Saturday morning. The match started badly for Merstham when Goalkeeper Grant Joy accidentally conceded a penalty and things went from bad to worse. By half time Nutfield had scored twice more and it was evident that their team play and passing ability was going to breakdown what Merstham had until then considered an impenetrable defence. The second half was fiercely contested with Merstham's’ strikers having several good attempts at goal but luck was not with them while at the same time Nutfield quickly punished any defence errors by scoring four more goals before full time. Final score was 8-0 to Nutfield who earned three well disserved points.

Rod Wheeler

Saturday 25th September 2004
Merstham 8 v 1 Horsley B
Merstham U10’s outgun Horsley 8-1

Merstham U10 team started the season well with an 8-1 win on Saturday. However the game was not as one sided as the score suggested. Horsley fielded a very useful side that often put Merstham under pressure. The goals started with Ross Knight driving one in after only four minutes. Soon afterwards an own Goal put Merstham two up. Horsley rallied themselves bravely and made some very strong attacks that were only thwarted by the determined defending of Alex Tibble, Tyler Elsey and the “cat like” goal keeping of Grant Joy. In the last minutes of the first half Merstham broke away and Daniel Giannetta scored number three.
The second half saw some great action with six goals being scored. Again it was Ross Knight who started it followed by a great header into the net by Val Garrec.  Horsley again fought back and eventually managed to get through the Merstham defence to score.  That galvanized Merstham into a relentless drive at goal with Knight scoring his hat-trick, Elliot Wheeler after having two attempts disallowed finally scored and to finish matters Knight scored his fourth just before full time.
An impressive start to the season for this young squad whose strikers were so well supported by an impenetrable defence led by Alex Tibble.

“If this is the sign of things to come, they should enjoy a very good season” said Paul Elsey, U10  Manager, after the game.

Rod Wheeler