Footy News - Results

RESULTS

21st December
Bodkin Cup. Mersham V Troggs - Postponed
Div 4. Prince Albert 2-2 Mersham R (J.Cooke, P.Shields) MOM-Steve Tanner

14th December
Kent Cup. Galacticos V Mersham - Postponed
Div 4 Cup. Ruckinge V Mersham R - Postponed

7th December
Div 1. Mersham V Red Heathens - Postponed
Shebar Cup. Ruckinge 1-0 Mersham R

30th November
Div 1 - Charing vs. Mersham - Postponed
Div 4 - Mersham Res vs. Charing Res - Postponed

23rd November
Div1. Mersham 6-2 Ashford Dynamo (C.Mannering, R.Clarke, L.Stanley, S.Arnold, C.Holmes, R.Strand) MOM - M.Stevens
Div4. Park Farm 4-3 Mersham Res. (D.Bailey, B.Scott, J.Wareing) MOM - B.Scott

16th November
Kent Cup - Weavering 0-4 Mersham (M.Howells, L. Butler, R. Strand, S. Arnold)
Kent Cup - Tonbridge Casuals 2-5 Mersham Res (D.Bailey 3, J.Wareing 2)

9th November
Charity Cup - Mersham 5-1 Prince Albert (M.Howells 2, M.Stevens, B.Davies, M.Doyle)
Div 4 - Bliby Res. 7-3 Mersham Res. (C.Mannering, B.Scott, D.Bailey) MOM B.Scott

2nd November
Div 1. - Highfield vs. Mersham - Postponed
Shebar Cup - Ruckinge vs. Mersham Res - Postponed

26th October
Div 1. - Mersham 2-2 Highfield (M.Howells 2) MOM - K.Strand
Div 4. - Ashford Spartans 1-4 Mersham Res.(D.Bailey 3, L.Kent 1) MOM - Alex (AJ) Dalton

19th October
Kent Cup. Invicta Sunday 1-7 Mersham (R.Clarke 2, C. Mannering 2, M.Stevens, Seb Arnold, P.Brasington)
Reserve Cup. Mersham Res. 6-2 Royal Oak (J.Wareing 2, D.Coulson, D.Bailey, R.Baker, A.Stevens)

12th October.
Bodkin Cup - Mersham 5-3 Highfield (R.Clarke 3,L.Stanley, C.Howells).
Div 4.- Ruckinge 4-2 Mersham (L.Kent, A.Burwell) MOM -R.Baker

5th October
Charity Cup Mersham 1-0 Troggs (R.Clarke) MOM - B.Davies
Div 4. Wye Res 3-6 Mersham Res.(C.Mannering 3, A Dalton 2, L.Kent) MOM- D.Coulson

28th September
Div 1. Mersham 2-0 Lydd (C.Howells,P.Shields) MOM M.Doyle
Div 4. Charing Res. 2-1 Mersham Res. (K.Ellse)MOM - L.Kent

21st September
Div 1. Fox Sunday 0-2 Mersham (P.Shields,M.Howells) MOM C.Howells
Div 4. Mersham Res. 3-1 Park Farm (A.Burwell, D.Coulson, J.Wareing) MOM L.Kent

14th September
Div 1. Hamstreet 2-2 Mersham (M.Doyle, C. Holmes) MOM - M.Doyle
Div 4. Mersham Res 3-0 Wye Res. (A. Burwell,J.Wareing,A.Stevens) MOM - A. Stevens

Hotshots league

D.Bailey 9
R.Clarke 7
C.Mannering 7
J.Wareing 7
M.Howells 6
A.Burwell 3
L.Kent 3
P.Shields 3
S.Arnold 3
M.Stevens 2
A.Dalton 2
C.Howells 2
A.Stevens 2
D.Coulson 2
M.Doyle 2
L.Stanley 2
C.Holmes 2
B.Scott 2
R.Strand 2
K.Ellse 1
L.Stevens 1
R.Baker 1
P.Brasington 1
B.Davies 1
L.Butler 1
S.Cooke 1



MATCH REPORTS

Mersham 6 – 2 Ashford Dynamo

Finally back to the league after a month’s absence, it was time to make sure Mersham achieved a result to put pressure on leaders Highfield. It was a cold wet day which seemed to alter the mood of the squad, even Mickey prancing around in a monkey thong could not get the players mind on the job.

The game kicked off with its usual high pace, but unlike the last two games this was not one sided. Dynamo were lively up front and this was causing a problem for Kevan and Lewis as they were struggling to adjust to the poor conditions with silly mistakes occurring. Within 20 minutes Dynamo took a deserved lead. A corner was sent in but was not cleared properly, and after a mix up an unmarked player at the back post was allowed to head it in. It was a calamity performance which didn’t seem to show signs of improvement. Mersham tried to raise their game and with wasted opportunities from Rob, Seb and Mark, it seemed it would be a long day. But a break through appeared as Lewis received the ball and planted it over the back four, Rob ran through, but the keeper beat him to the ball. He however could only clear to as far as Seb who smashed it in from 40 yards into the empty net. The inevitable happened and 10 minutes later, an ambitious long ball looped over Mickey and Kevan and a quick forward ran through and shot the ball into the top left hand corner. Ian stood no chance, his woolly hat seemed to be given him no luck! In the last 4 minutes though, Mark had a golden opportunity to score from the penalty spot, but instead found the post.

After a deserved grilling from the management duo, Mersham needed to step up to the plate and win the game. 5 minutes into the second half Mersham were level, a great through ball from Mark Howells set Rob free who turned the full back and drilled the ball along the floor for Chris Holmes to score. Mersham were now level and started to show confidence. Ryan Strand then entered the fray for the injured Seb. This allowed Mersham to put more emphasis on attacking and it paid off instantly. After some battling work form the Howells brothers, Ryan received the ball from 20 yards and sent a peach of a shot to the keeper, who palmed the ball into the net. A great start for a forward who has been out for several games with two from two now. Being in the lead allowed Mersham to control the game, they kept possession and started to spray the ball along the field. Dynamo were losing touch and seemed to not have the fitness to keep up. After play from the back four Martin and Rob linked up to send a deep cross into the box. Luke received the ball and then turned two players and smashed the ball pass the keeper. It was a great piece of individual skill.

Ben and Craig were then introduced, as Mersham continued to pile on the pressure. In the last 15 minutes the game was finally dead and buried as an elegant lob from Rob (many thought it was a cross, but he meant it) and a rebounded smash from Craig made the game 6-2. It was a good performance by Mersham after an appalling first half. Kevan produced a great performance in the second half to make up for the mistakes in the first half. Mickey was his usual self, and Chris Howells put in a performance to make up for the shenanigans of last week.

Weavering 0-4 Mersham



3rd round of the Kent cup meant another away game for Mersham in Maidstone. As we knew nothing about this team we did not know what to expect. The game got underway and Mersham went 1-0 up within two minutes. After the opposition lost the ball, quick counter attacking football allowed Seb to drift in from the right and lay the ball perfectly on to Mark who put the ball in the back the net. Straight away we knew it would be difficult to lose this! Mersham then created a host of chances, which were either wasted, or the cheating Linesman flagged offside. Against the run of play however Weavering broke free and out numbered the defence, the striker was sent through but Rob managed to get back and slide in to prevent the striker from scoring. 5 minutes later Weavering had a corner, which caused no problems for Mersham. Ian threw the ball out to Ryan who broke past the half way line, and then out of no where Lewis appeared in the opponent’s box and received the ball, took it around two defenders and smashed the ball the ball into the bottom corner! It was a classic goal!



2-0 up into the second half Mersham just needed one goal to effectively kill the game off. Weavering not wanting to give up started to apply pressure and created chances. Ian then produced some smart saves to deny them this opportunity. Mersham then pushed forward and started to create clearer cut chances, and on the hour mark this paid off. Seb created space down the right and crossed a perfect ball into the box for Ryan to slot it pass the stranded keeper. This was game, set, and match. There would no way back for Weavering now, so they decided to resort to dirty tactics and proceeded to hurt our players. Seb was on the receiving end of four heavy challenges and then Chris Howells got into a mini ruck. It was turning into a farce! But Mersham kept their cool, and let their football do the talking. A break down the left allowed the ball to be crossed to Seb, who took it past two players and shot it right at the keeper who could not hold onto the ball. Seb was then there on hand to tap in the rebound.



A comfortable win for the lads in Orange, and it was a good performance overall. Mersham with stood the nasty side of the opposition and played football. Just what the management duo wanted! The team is still unbeaten and still have players to return. So a strong squad looks like it will push forward to the league and a cup?





Mersham 5-1 Prince Albert



With the previous game being called off, it was the turn of the Charity cup against probably the weakest opposition of the year for Mersham. Going into the game many were predicting a white wash, and had predicted double figures, but instead of doing this, Mersham made it hard for themselves. The game started at a frantic pace, and as usual Mersham dominated from the beginning in Midfield. They were bossing it especially with Ben Davis who seems to making the centre Midfield position his own. But without the talent, Prince Albert were trying hard to compete. Every time the ball entered Mershams half it was getting cleared up by the back four. Mersham piled on the pressure, but a goal did not come until the 40th minute, when Mark Howells was played through by Mickey Doyle and placed the ball pass the keeper. Half time blew, and Mersham must have wondered why they weren’t winning by more.



As the second half started, and a couple of changes made, Mersham started to pile pressure on. Rob and Shieldsy starting running the back four ragged, and the wingers were coming to life. Within minutes a ball was crossed from the left, and Shieldsy narrowly missed an opportunity to score. Then before the hour mark Mersham scored 3 goals in quick succession through Mark Howells and then two corners setting up Martin and Ben. It was turning into a comfortable win, but against the run of play Albert pulled one back. It was a free kick in which Luke admitted to the wall "I am going to duck when this ball is hit, as I don’t want to mess my hair up!”. Next thing, the ball is hit; Luke ducks and it goes past Ian. In the last 10 minutes the best goal of the game was scored. A corner is sent in and after it bounced around several players, Kung Fu Mickey came in and produced a piece of martial arts to smash the ball pass the keeper.



It was an easy game, and Mersham should have killed it off in the first half, but are now through to he next round and you can’t ask for too much more.



Invicta Sunday 1 - 7 Mersham Kent Cup

After domestic cup triumph, it was the turn of the Kent Cup. With a depleted squad for the second game in a row, it was a welcome return for Paul, who with all this excitement threw up before the game started! Seb replaced Chris Howells and the strike force kept their place, but both with niggling injuries.

The game started off in a frantic pace, with Mersham trying to gain an early break through. Seb and Mark were giving the full backs a torrid time, while Ben was bossing the Midfield. Within 10 minutes Craig went close twice. A one on one was parried away by the keeper, and then a 25 yarder was magnificently saved. It looked like it was to not be his day. Suddenly against the run of play, Invicta broke down the right and a cross was sent in to the box. Mickey failed to clear the ball and Invicta's striker volleyed the ball past a stranded Ian. 1 - 0, not the start Mersham wanted. Straight away Mersham stepped up a gear and gave Invicta a footballing lesson. Mark passed the ball up to Craig, who at about 25 yards out, turned the defender and smashed the ball pass the keeper, which came of the post and went in. An Henry-Esq. goal. Five minutes later Craig was involved again, as he picked the ball up in the middle of the park, and threaded it through to Seb who calmly slotted it past the keeper. Mersham were not giving the opposition a sniff!

Next up Seb crossed in a great corner, in which Paul jumped up over everyone and headed past the keeper. His first goal in a long time, might be because he was still feeling the affects of last night still. Minutes later, Mersham completed the scoring for the half, when a carbon copy corner from Seb allowing Martin to get a goal. It was turning into a rout. Later within the half, Seb went close, Ben hit the bar, Mark and Craig also missed good opportunities. Ben was playing with style, he was winning every tackle and header, while dictating the play. A comment talked about along the side line! it was a great first half performance!

With the team talk completed, Mersham came out of the blocks quickly. After Invicta kicked off, Mersham got the ball back within 30 seconds, and a hopeful ball from the back looped over a defender, for Rob to run on to and half volley in to the left hand top corner. With it being 5-1, it gave Mersham time to relax and play around with the ball. With this Mersham created a handful of chances through Craig, Rob, Mark and Seb, either being thwarted by the keeper or missing. Kevand came on for Martin and the game continued to be one sided. Then with 20 minutes left, Kevand passed the ball to Rob on the touchline, he played a neat one two with Mark, who threaded a great ball through. Rob ran through from the left, and placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net! 6 - 1 , but it didn't stop there! Rob was replaced by the legend Matt, who came on to play left Midfield.

Moments later after confusion in the box from a corner, Craig stepped up to smash the ball past the keeper. With this goal he was replaced by Trevor who entered the frame. Mersham did not stop there, they bamboozled the oppositions goals, and could of got more. Even after a bit of trickery from Luke who took it past the same player four times, put the ball over the bar. Then following a another corner Mark received the ball on the edge of the box. He shot it perfectly and as it was going in, Luke stuck a leg out to put it in. It was ruled out for offside though. Mark's face painted the picture of disgust! Lewis then got in on the action and made some mazy runs, which unfortunately did not create any clear cut chances. He better watch out though as Trevor was calm and collected at the back, showing his experience.

A very comfortable win against a very poor side!! Apart from the blip early in the first half, Mersham killed the opposition and could have easily made it more had it not been for their keeper! A great performance, which they can only take to Highfield next week, and hopefully avenge the rubbish second half the fans had to endure. Another rout like this would do it nicely!

M.O.M - Ben Davis - Solid performance in the absence of Chris, as he had to do two peoples battling! Still had time to hit the bar, play some great balls in the midfield and collapse on the pitch!



Mersham 5 - 3 Highfield Bodkin Cup

With 6 players out, it was time to test Mershams strength in depth. Kevand came in for Paul, Mark in for Seb, and Craig replaced Shieldsy up front, with Matt and Trevor on the bench. Mersham looking for a fourth straight win started brightly keeping possession and trying to prevent Highfield from playing. Ben was keeping up his performances from last week, stamping his authority in to the game. Within 15 minutes, Mersham broke the deadlock, Mark Howells picked the ball up in midfield and threaded it through to Rob, who broke through to in the box and cut in from the defender and then smashed it towards goal, which ended up being to hot to handle for the keeper and went in. Highfield tried to break through but Ben and Chris played brilliantly to keep them at bay. Rob was working hard up front and Mickey was winning every header at the back. With this, pressure led to the second goal. With a poor back pass, Rob ran on to the goal keeper and tackled him, he then preceded to run on to the ball to slide it into the empty net.

It was working well and Mersham were destroying a poor team. Within a couple of minutes Rob completed his 10 minute hat trick from working relentlessly. Highfield again playing the ball across the back four, were isolated when Rob nicked the ball off the defender, and ran through like his first goal. This time the goalkeeper saved this shot, but Rob tapped in the rebound. It was a great work horse performance. With the game near enough buried, Mersham started to play the possession game. With Craig yet to have the ball at his feet, he received the ball from 25 yards, turned and narrowly put the ball over the bar. Minutes later after a poor corner, Luke received the ball outside the box, and smashed the ball at the keeper, only for him to palm the ball into the net. 4 - 0 and it didn't finish there. Just before half time with a free kick close to the corner flag, Chris Howells curled the ball in to the top corner. It was getting embarrassing for the visitors.

As the second half started, it seemed both teams swapped roles. Mersham started to become lazy, the midfield completely let themselves down. The defence were under pressure, and the strikers never received the ball. It was a complete contrast and proved to be our down fall thinking the game was over. By the 65th minute, Highfield place a lovely ball over the back four and then Kevand planted a great header passed Ian Brasington to give hope for the visitors. The start of the worst.

With the referee having a mare, the next goal proved to be comical. As the Highfield striker ran to the box, Martin brought him down. The striker then caught the ball, and rolled around. The Ref neither gave a penalty or hand ball. Five seconds later amid the confusion, the striker smashed the ball passed a stagnant Ian. Was it turning out to the greatest comeback? Luke tried hard to get into the game and battled relentlessly down the left hand side to try and create some openings. Chris, Mark and Ben were not as fluid and were not having the same impact. Nothing was being created up front and Craig was battling hard to get a foot hold into the game. At this stage Rob and Lewis were struggling with injuries. Rob was finally replaced by Matt. Still to the disappointment of the fans Highfield grabbed a further goal, to put end to a disappointing day.


Mersham were plain awful in the second half and were not much better in the first half. But the work horse performance of some players paid dividends for the win. But a win is a win, and if you can play badly and score 5, it will help increase the opportunity of winning trophies this year. But next week will have to be better, and with some players not playing to the level they need to, they may be replaced with the absentees in the next coming weeks.



M.O.M - Mickey Doyle - Won every header and tackle and shored up the defence from conceding more than 3!




5th October

Mersham 1 - 0 Troggs

On a cold, rain soaked windy day, Mersham finally beat Troggs after the fifth time of asking within a year. In a game where Trevor chose the team, there was a shock to the selection. Lewis came in at right back, Ben moved to the centre of the park, and Luke came in at left wing, with Seb replacing Mark on the right. Rob and Shieldsy played up front, as Trevor wanted to utilise their pace against the potentially immobile Troggs defence.

The game kicked off, and straight away the tackles were flying in, as both teams tried to grab hold of the game. Ben made his presence felt, as he was winning headers and tackles, giving Chris the license to roam forward. Instantly the pairing up front were stretching the visitors back line. The link between the wingers helped Mersham create chances, as crosses from Seb put pressure on Troggs but there was no one on the end of them. Then with good work down the left, Luke threaded a ball down to Rob who sped past the full back and planted a cross right on Shieldsy foot, only to see the effort go over. Ben then showed his playmaking ability by threading balls behind the back four on two occasions. One was squandered by Rob after a good run , and then Seb did litter with the other one. Mersham just needed to turn these chances into goals. After good work from Chris and Ben in the middle of the park, the ball was played up to Rob who was fouled. Martin Stevens stepped up to the plate and bent the ball around the wall, only for the keeper to parry to an oncoming Rob who slotted it in with his right foot. The domination had paid off!

Mersham just needed to keep their head on the game, but Troggs were starting to get back in to the game. Their corners were dangerous and they started to create chances but not anything clear cut! Ben was doing a marvellous job protecting the back four to keep our lead at half time. In the second half with the weather getting worse, Troggs were digging in to try and push for an equaliser. Within 10 minutes Ian Brasington was called into action to pull off a great save from their left winger. The ball wasn't sticking up front and on 65 minutes Rob and Seb were brought off for Chris Holmes and Mark. With the aim to protect our lead, it worked a treat. With time running out Troggs were pushing forward, they never gave up, but with this they were then isolated at the back. In a mad moment of about 10 seconds, their keeper pulled off five great saves in a row, with Luke, Holmes, Shieldsy all missing, especially Holmes missing from six yards out. Then with five minutes left it looked to be heartache. Paul Brasington hopelessly header the ball back to the keeper with no power behind it. It was a race between Ian and the ongoing striker, which they then both collided, but the striker still had the ball, and then preceded to shoot, but out of now where Lewis ran through and blocked the ball off the line. It was a let off. That is how it stayed until full time! What a win! Three clean sheets in a row now!

M.O.M - Ben Davis - Without a doubt the best player on the park, done everything needed by a centre midfielder, created chances, protected the back, won all his headers and tackles.


28th September

Mersham 2 - 0 Lydd

After a successful game last week, Mersham were looking forward to continue with their good form. With Titch out injured, Luke still not 100%, Matt decided to rotate the team with Ben and Martin coming in for Rob and Lewis. With Louis only being able to play half a game every week due to work commitments, and Craig yet to come back, the team looks strong and is understandably going to be rotated every week!

Lydd were a battling side that you would not recognise from the last couple of years. Mersham may have thought it would be an easy game, but it turned into a physical one that we came out of very well. The game started brightly with Mersham keeping the ball and possession. A few early speculative shots from Seb and Mark were the only decent shots in the opening half of the game. But while Lydd had nothing up front, their Midfield were working tirelessly to break down Mersham's continued possession. A lack of concentration from Ben allowed one of their wingers to break through and force Ian to pull off a great save. This was the wake up call, and Mersham stepped up their game. Chris Holmes missed from six yards before Shieldsy banged in a rebound from four yards from a Mickey header. That was it for the first half before the game turned into a war.

As the second half started Mersham continued their ongoing assault on Lydd. Within five minutes Chris Howells had headed in a Martin Stevens free kick. This was subsequently game over. Then something occurred that you do not wish to see in football. As the game wore on, Chris and Lydd's centre midfielder started to foul each other. The game got heated, and yellow cards were flying around (none on Mershams side). Then suddenly the centre midfielder just kicked out at Chris when going for the ball. The ref had no choice but to send him off. The Lydd players then took it upon themselves to ruin the game. A flying elbow on Seb was to name a few. Only a yellow card. With this no one could concentrate on the game, with chances not being converted, I think everyone was happy to get out unscathed. It finished 2-0, a game that we were glad to win!

M.O.M - Mickey Doyle - Only man with his head on the game, made no mistakes and was doing his job when called upon. True form of a captain.

Robert Clark


14th September
Hamstreet 2 - 2 Mersham

The first league game of the season could not have been a more difficult tie. Away to Hamstreet to whom will not concede many points this season at their fortress. What made matters worse was Seb and Shieldsy were late for the game and subsequently dropped from the starting XI, paving way for Chris Holmes and Howells to fill in. With Matt opting for 4-5-1, we knew this game could have limited opportunities. The game started as a battle, with both defences limiting the oppositions attacks, and with tackles flying in throughout the pitch. The defence of Butler, Doyle, Brasington and Clark were limiting the Hamstreet attack, with Holmes running his socks off up front. Midway through the first half, and Mersham had gained a break through, when a long ball over the top looped over the Hamstreet defence in which Holmes ran through, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball in. It was a great reward for the striker who had worked hard all half.

That is how it stayed till half time, for which then 'Steamboat' Mickey preceded to take centre stage. Hamstreet tried to push forward without causing many problems, but Mersham continued to waste good opportunities for the illusive second goal. The wide players were not penetrating too much down the by-line, and this was costing the team. With this, Hamstreet crept into the game, with a long ball into the box, Mickey jumped into a striker who had control of the ball, the result, a penalty! As you can guess it was calmly slotted in by Spicer. Thinking he learnt from his first mistake the pressure got to Mickey again. While being hacked inside the box and losing the ball, he kicked the striker out of rage, resulting in another penalty. All the hard work had gone down the pan, and even Ian Brasingtons banter could not prevent Spicer collecting his second goal.

For the first time seen in along time, Mersham rolled their sleeves up and got themselves back in the game. With chance after chance, many thought we would never get the equaliser. Luke hit the bar, Mark made the keeper create a great save and finally Chris Holmes missed a sitter from six yards out. Then a poor corner was drifted in, which Steamboat collected and then smashed the ball past the keeper. The whole team were ecstatic and actually celebrated the goal as a team. It was good to see the spirit within the team. It ended 2-2, even though we could have won the game, we got a point, which was better than last year, and to be honest not too many teams will get a result there.

M.O.M Steamboat Mickey - we understand that this was given due to the fact he was the 12th man for the opposition!

21st Septenber

Fox Sunday 0 - 2 Mersham

After a tough game last week, next up was Fox. A 3 point banker was the first thought of many, but like so many games last year, we have a tendency of being too cocky and lose games. Luckily it was not to be in this game. It was a tight first game with Seb and Shieldsy coming in for the injured Luke and dropped Ben, as Matt and Trevor were pursuing a more attacking force. We started brightly as we continued to give Fox problems with our pace up front. Holmesy and Shieldsy worked relentlessly closing down everything (barring no injuries they will start next week). Mark Howells actually turned up and did something he has not done for three years, by actually taking on the left full back. He played very well delivering crosses and creating chances in which were causing problems. Unfortunately with this great play, came the scrappiest goal. A cock up between the goalie and defender allowed Shieldsy who was lying down at the time, smack the ball into the despairing net! That's how it stayed till half time.

The second half was much of the same. Fox did not create too much to worry Mersham and everything was thwarted at ease. It was upto the midfield and strikers to score more goals. With good play in the middle between Louis and Chris, Mark was set free down the right, he turned in and attempted to cross the ball into the box. This did not go to plan, but instead went goal wards and flew past the keeper. A very good finish, if it was intentional. Other chances were wasted by Chris Howells, Holmes and Shieldsy as Fox tried to shut up shop and carry out damage limitation. Ben was given a run out, with Martin Stevens getting fifteen minutes at the end after coming back from injury. A solid result which we could of had 5, now sees us take our unbeaten run at home versus much tougher opposition in Lydd.

M.O.M - Chris Howells - solid battling performance, good range of passing and no moaning (we were surprised at this part?).