Bookham 1 v 4 Merstham
Combined Counties Premier Division
10th May 2008

Nine months since the opening day of the season and Merstham played their 60^th game of a long hard campaign which brought undreamt of success. The Moatsiders sealed off an almost-perfect run of results with two goals each for strikers Kevin Lock and Leon Wallace meaning they suffered just one league defeat and that was forty one games ago.

Another sunny day meant the pitch at Meadowbank in Dorking resembled a dustbowl rather than its usual swampy appearance. Merstham took to the field with a weakened side that included just two substitutes, both reserve players. The first half was played in a bit of a slumber as both teams struggled slightly with the humidity and this meant that neither side could create much quality. It was a bit of a shock to the league champions when Bookham scored first;  a mix-up at the back allowed one of their players to poke the ball home. Realising that their long unbeaten record was genuinely under threat Merstham fought to restore parity and they achieved it when a long throw-in from Glenn Garman bounced into the box and Kevin Lock turned the ball in.  Both teams continued to huff and puff but it stayed 1-1 through to half-time.

Into the second half and Merstham’s extra quality started to show. Even with half the regular team out, the passing from the away side was starting to force errors and the strong central midfield pairing of Jon Dale and Chris Read were closing off most avenues for the home team. Merstham took the lead when Leon Wallace, given a rare chance to start, collected the ball and took it round his marker before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Former Merstham player, Dean Cupit, in goal for Bookham, did well to turn it wide but unfortunately for him, first to the rebound was Kevin Lock who from a sharp angle turned inside and struck a wonderful right foot shot into the corner of the net. This was Lock’s 28^th goal of the league campaign and 34^th in all competitions in what was been a fabulous season for the supporters’ player of the year. The game seemed won and it was drifting to a quiet finish when two late goals for the away side surprised everybody. First, Darren Newland on as a sub took a long throw that, like the first goal, caused confusion in Bookham’s defence and Leon Wallace took advantage to score his first goal for the first team. Minutes later the other sub Craig Phelps burst up the left hand side and cracked a wicked blast goalward. Wallace managed to get the tiniest of flicks on the ball as it passed his head and maybe because of this deflection Cupit in goal let the ball slip through his grasp and into the stanchion. The scoreline flattered Merstham somewhat but they weren’t complaining as another victory meant 110 points and just the sole defeat on the first day to blemish the campaign.

The final game against Reading Town is unlikely to be played due to circumstances beyond Merstham’s control so hopefully the league will give them the points as a respectful sign-off to what has been the most successful season in the club’s 100-plus year history.

Team: Ian Chatfield, Glen Garman (Craig Phelps), Matt Francis, Chris Boulter, Craig Vernon (c), Jon Dale, Michael Morgan, Chris Read, Leon Wallace, Kevin Lock, Danny Ross (Darren Newland)

Man of the Match: Jon Dale

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 3 v 2 Whyteleafe
Surrey Senior Cup Final
6th May 2008

Merstham FC capped off a remarkable season on a balmy Tuesday evening by defeating Whyteleafe to win the Surrey Senior Cup for the first time in their history. A goal from striker Kwabena Agyei equalised Ali Reeve’s header and took the game into extra-time when, after a Whyteleafe penalty, goals from Rob Hill and super-sub Matt Francis won the game for the Moatsiders. The cup triumph at Metropolitan Police’s Imber Court meant the club have won a treble of trophies, in this, their most successful season ever.

The first half contained a lot of battling play from both teams with Merstham having the majority of the possession. The Combined Counties champions, who will be playing Whyteleafe next season in the Ryman Division One South, were able to use the impressive surface to play their natural passing game which enabled them to get into many good positions but clear chances were few and far between with only Kevin Lock managing to get an effort on target in this period. At the other end the lively Sean Rivers was being effectively marshalled by Craig Vernon and Chris Boulter and so the half ended with stalemate.

Into the second period and Merstham’s quality of play increased. Chances started to arrive thick and fast now but Rob Tolfrey in the Leafe’s goal was rarely troubled as when Chris Boulter had two good chances to score with his trademark header from corners but failed to hit the target. Around the hour mark and Whyteleafe gained a rare corner. The in-swinger was met amidst a crowd of players by Leafe’s skipper Ali Reeve who flicked the ball on into the corner of the net.  Merstham didn’t let this goal against the run of play deter them though and continued to power on. Matt Francis replaced Chris Read and his electrifying runs put the fear into the Leafe back line. One such run on 79 minutes led to a scramble in the box with powerhouse striker Kwabena Agyei scoring his 38^th goal of the season by slamming it home among a scrum of players. It wasn’t a pretty goal but it was no more than Merstham had deserved. With twenty minutes to go both sides pressed forward for the attack but the best chance came to Whyteleafe striker Joel Greaves who had an open goal to aim at but his effort was cleared by excellent defending from Craig Vernon. Further pressure on both goals came but both defences held firm sending the game into extra-time.

No strangers to dramatic cup ties, this was Merstham’s eighth period of extra-time this season and their fitness showed again as they battered into the team in green. Merstham changed formation by bringing on Kevin Molloy for Kwabena Agyei to play in a back three whilst Glen Garman replaced Michael Morgan in midfield. The attacking threesome of Kevin Lock, Matt Francis and Nick Greenhouse tormented the Leafe defence but were unable to fashion any clear-cut chances to kill the game off. Up the other end and there was drama when Danny Platel received the ball in an offside position. As he was about to strike Craig Vernon tackled him from behind but caught the player as much as the ball and the referee Steve Cook had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. To the surprise of the crowd Vernon wasn’t sent off or even yellow-carded for the offence but this was forgotten as Sam Clayton stepped forward and smashed the spot kick home to put Whyteleafe into the lead again with six minutes gone of extra-time. Minutes later and Merstham’s never-say-die attitude came to the fore again as a ball from Nick Greenhouse on the right led to Rob Hill who had had an exemplary game in defence popping up at the back post to poke the ball home and bring the scores level once more.

The teams swapped round once more and again Merstham had the best chances to score. Two chances fell to Glen Garman who was unable to direct his attempts on target with the goal gaping. Matt Francis was again terrifying the Leafe defence and with due cause. With penalties looming he laid a ball into Kevin Lock’s path. Lock, with his back to goal, held off the defender before returning the ball to Francis who curled his left peg round the ball and smashed it into the net cueing up delirium on the Merstham bench. Whyteleafe fought hard to restore parity and there were one or two nervous moments when they won some corners and free-kicks but the boys in amber and black held out to the final whistle.

Skipper Craig Vernon held aloft his third trophy of the season as the squad of resilient players celebrated around him. The pride on the faces of managers Mick Sullivan and Mick Stratford was matched by the ones on the faces of  chairman Ted Hickman, director Martin Burr, secretary Richard Baxter and the ones on all the loyal fans who had travelled to Imber Court to witness what was possibly the sweetest of their trophy wins this year. A historic season for this great little club is coming to a close but will never be forgotten.

Team: Ian Chatfield, Joe Hill, Rob Hill, Chris Boulter, Craig Vernon (c), Chris Read (Matt Francis), Michael Morgan (Kevin Molloy), Mark Simmons, Kwabena Agyei (Glenn Garman), Kevin Lock, Nick Greenhouse
Unused Subs:  Jon Dale, Rhod Davis

Man of the Match: TBA

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 2 v 0 Sandhurst Town
Combined Counties Premier Division
3rd May 2008

Merstham signed off their home league campaign in style with their 18^th home win and the 23rd clean sheet. In-form Sandhurst Town was unable to become the first side to beat the Moatsiders at home whose goal difference is now an incredible 90. Man of the match Mark Simmons scored the first and Matt Francis the second which was the 110^th goal in the league for the champions.

A sunny afternoon greeted the bumper crowd at this free to enter game which was a thank you by the officials of the club to the supporters at the end of this historic season. Everyone seemed in a relaxed mood as the game meant little in the table for either side and so the first half was fairly lacking in incident. Sandhurst barely had an attack worthy of the name whilst Merstham prodded and probed at the other end. Influential midfielder Mark Simmons stood out once again as he prompted the majority of the attacks. As well as creating several chances for himself, he also created one for Kevin Lock whose shot was well saved by Sam Collier in goal for the Fizzers. Michael Morgan also showed his quality as he first created a chance for Matt Francis whose attempt was blocked and followed this up minutes later by hypnotizing his marker before powering a shot towards goal that the keeper saved with this feet. With the half drifting away Simmons collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area. He took an opportunistic right foot shot which took a slight deflection and slid low into the goal past the keeper’s right hand. Sandhurst reacted to the goal with a couple of hacks at Nick Greenhouse but the referee thankfully clamped down on this with a yellow card for Darren Wilson.

The second half kicked off with Merstham completely in control. Matt Francis increased his influence in the game and he started a good move that went to Kevin Lock and then Michael Morgan whose shot was saved for a corner. An hour into the contest Joe Hill had a fantastic cross that both Lock and fellow striker Kwabena Agyei failed to latch on to. Then in the space of two minutes Mark Simmons could have had a hat-trick. First he tried an amazing lob from 35 yards that landed just over on the top of the net. Then from just six yards he met a great Lock cross at the far post but was unable to keep his volley down and it cannoned back out off the bar. It was constant pressure from the home side as Francis was denied by a great tackle inside the box and Morgan had his weaving run and shot luckily tipped over the bar. Francis had another good chance on 84 minutes when the keeper saved well with his feet but just one minute later he went on one of his trademark dribbling runs which ended with a glorious left foot strike from a sharp angle that couldn’t be stopped. Merstham cantered for the following five minutes in the knowledge that they’d secured their 11^th consecutive win in all competitions.

A much deserved victory for Merstham after 22 shots and in truth the score line would probably have been greater if the game had been more important. Thoughts turned now to the Surrey Senior Cup Final on Tuesday. Merstham must consider themselves to be fortunate to even be in the final but now that they are, they have a great chance to win this prestigious cup for the first time in their history. All the pressure will be on Whyteleafe as they will be favourites and they will feel they deserve to have been awarded the trophy already. Merstham can take to the field relaxed and confident that their current form is enough to challenge anybody.

 Team: Ian Chatfield, Joe Hill, Rob Hill, Chris Boulter, Craig Vernon (c), Nick Greenhouse (Jon Dale), Michael Morgan, Mark Simmons, Kwabena Agyei (Kevin Molloy), Kevin Lock (Rhod Davis), Matt Francis

Unused Sub: Glenn Garman

Man of the Match: Mark Simmons

Leigh Hunt

Ash United 0 v 2 Merstham
Combined Counties Premier Division
26th April  2008

Merstham secured another victory, their 33^rd of the campaign, against Ash United on Saturday with two goals from Michael Morgan and Jon Dale. Merstham are now undefeated in the League for an incredible 38 games and have notched up ten consecutive wins in all competitions.

Merstham’s 58^th competitive game of the season began amid sunny conditions and with several changes to the side. Inspirational skipper Craig Vernon was out with an injury but club stalwart Kevin Molloy was there to cover for him whilst youngsters Danny Ross and Leon Wallace were also in for Mark Simmons and Kwabena Agyei. Little had happened at either end before the first goal in the tenth minute. Michael Morgan weaved his way past the Ash right-back and created himself a yard of space before deciding to turn back and take the player on again. Having beaten him for a second time, he dipped a sweet right foot shot into the top corner of the net with Christopher Andrews in the goal nowhere near it. Kevin Lock was unlucky soon afterwards as he strived to end his mini goal drought. He was clear of the defence and the ball went through the goalkeeper’s legs but when wide for a corner. From the resulting kick a Chris Read header was cleared off the line. Several Rob Hill corners followed but Ash held firm. At the other end Ian Chatfield had one good save to make when Ash’s Matthew Brunt stole in with a firm header that the keeper tipped over. Other than that, there was little to keep the spectators interested with only a small chance for Wallace, set up by Ross, to note just before the break.

The second half suggested more action when with 50 minutes on the clock; Kevin Lock had another header for the away side cleared off the line by a player in bottle green. The rest of the half though settled into a low tempo battle with the result clearly not impacting much on either team’s fortunes. Danny Ross and Leon Wallace again combined for a chance which was deflected wide for a corner before both players were replaced by Rhod Davis and Jon Dale with 25 minutes to go. Ash nearly scored an unlikely goal when a misplaced cross caught in the wind and dropped onto the Merstham crossbar and over. Lock continued to work hard up front but was unable to get himself a goal and then allowed his frustrations to get the better of him when he kicked the ball away and picked up a yellow card. With 15 minutes to go Matt Francis came on for Nick Greenhouse and almost immediately, he nearly got a goal as a run and shot produced a one-two off the keeper. He managed to get his head to the rebound but the effort was well saved. As the game drew to a close, Merstham tried to get the second killer goal with good efforts by Chris Read and Lock but it looked like one goal was going to be it. In defence Merstham never looked overly troubled with all the back four ably protecting Chatfield’s goal. As everyone prepared to go home, Rhod Davis worked hard in the air and created an opportunity for Jon Dale on a marauding run. Dale rose highest and powered his header into the corner of the net.

Merstham’s 22^nd clean sheet in the league paved the way for another comfortable victory for the league champions.

Man of the Match: Kevin Molloy

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 4 v 3 Redhill
Surrey Senior Cup Semi Final
22nd April  2008

Yet another amazing match in this most astonishing of seasons for Merstham Football Club. Having been re-instated into this prestigious competition due to the indiscretions of two other clubs, the Moatsiders then made hard work of reaching the final for the first time in their history. A goal from Mark Simmons was equalized by Redhill’s Tony Reid before half-time. The home side regained the lead before riding their luck as the Lobsters clawed their way back into things with a 2-3 lead with a quarter of the game to go however two spectacular goals from Simmons and ex-Redhill player Michael Morgan secured the victory and the potential for a spectacular treble.

Within three minutes of the local derby kicking off Merstham looked to assert their authority when striker Kevin Lock saw his audacious effort from the edge of the box hit the Redhill crossbar. Early pressure was all with the boys in amber and black and it paid off on 13 minutes when Michael Morgan slipped the ball inside for Mark Simmons who drilled a rocket in past Steven Windergaard. Redhill were spurred into action and both Wayne Robinson and recent signing Marlon Lewis had chances for an equaliser. Elsewhere Redhill were getting into trouble with the referee with some late tackles that were punished with yellow cards. For Merstham, Rob Hill was having some joy prowling down the left flank and hurling in some wicked crosses whilst Mark Simmons was following up his good performance from two days earlier by creating some good chances for Morgan and Chris Read. Just before half-time Joe Hill coped well with defending the much bigger Tony Reid as he threatened but minutes later Reid got the better of him and powered a header down at the ground. Ian Chatfield was caught in no man’s land as he’d half come out to cover and the ball bounced up and over him and into the corner of the net. It was the last action of the half as the ref blew for the break straight from the kick-off.

Cursing their inability to kill the game off in the first half, Merstham tore into the visitors from the re-start and after a Rob Hill free kick led to a corner, the resultant dead ball situation led to Mark Simmons swinging in a dangerous ball. Several heads from both sides went up but no one got a clear touch and ball swung in by the far post with a Redhill defender desperately failing to clear. The linesman standing right on the by-line gave the goal and Merstham celebrated. Attempts to add to the lead came and went as Nick Greenhouse and Kwabena Agyei in particular pressed forward. However at the back Merstham were struggling to cope with the aerial presence and threat of Redhill’s forward line. From this period of pressure a Redhill corner was flicked on at the near post and John Difford stabbed home easily from close range. This seemed to shock the Moatsiders and for the next five minutes the ball was all Redhill’s half. Tony Reid had a chance one on one with Ian Chatfield but the keeper bravely smothered the ball. Then with 22 minutes remaining Wayne Robinson broke free of the back four and powered a drive that Chatfield could only palm up and behind him. He desperately scrambled back to stop the ball going over the line but it was in vain and the Redhill supporters behind the goal honked their horns and ran their bells thinking that they had achieved a famous victory. But it was not to be. They were counting without Merstham’s incredible powers of resilience and fortitude that has seen them battle through adversity in many a cup game this season. This was Merstham’s 14^th cup tie of a long hard season and this was the eighth time that they had had to battle back from a losing position to either rescue or win the game and they did it again. On 68 minutes Mark Simmons got his hat-trick when he placed a free kick fully 25 yards out. His arrow of a strike cannoned in off the underside of the bar leaving the keeper with no chance. Up the other end Tony Reid missed an easy header before the killer goal came from the ironic source of former Red, Michael Morgan. Nick Greenhouse drifted a floating ball towards the back of the area where Morgan ghosted in and pulled off a diving header that sent the ball back the way it came and into the corner of the net. Cue delirious celebrations from the Merstham supporters. Kevin Molloy came on late on for Kevin Lock but the game was dead, Merstham had won.

Merstham’s miraculous never-say-die attitude had again risen to the fore. They battled and fought for their right to play their passing game and it led to a famous victory over local rivals. Merstham meet Whyteleafe in the final at Met Police’s ground on 6^th May. Whyteleafe’s management was at the game and they will have seen a Merstham team playing poorly at times and gifting goals to the opposition. However they also saw a team that never lies down and dies and can score from almost every position on the pitch. It will be an interesting final.

Man of the Match: Mark Simmons

JM

Merstham 2 v 1 Chertsey Town
Combined Counties Premier Division
19th April  2008

Just forty one hours after winning the Premier Challenge Cup, Merstham took to the field again and defeated a side boasting two of the league’s top scorers. Goals for Kwabena Agyei and man of the match, Mark Simmons got the points despite a late comeback surge prompted by ‘Golden Boot’ front-runner John Pomroy’s strike towards the end.

Sandwiched as it was between two very important cup games, Merstham could be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball in this match and with several key players rested and a change in formation to a back three, the hope around the crowd was that the home side could at least hold on to their unbeaten record which now stretched back for 36 games. Thankfully the Moatsiders started strongly with chances for Kwabena Agyei, Nick Greenhouse and Matt Francis in the opening ten minutes. The first clear opportunity of the game came when Greenhouse crossed a ball into the corridor of uncertainty but both Mark Simmons and Chris Read were unable to connect cleanly from all of five yards. On 16 minutes, it appeared that Merstham’s early domination had paid off as Simmons, with his back to goal on the edge of the Chertsey box, was pulled to the ground leading to the referee pointing to the spot much to the dismay of the defenders who thought the offence was outside the area. In a rare show of charity the team wanted Glenn Garman, the only outfield player not to have scored this season, to take the spot-kick and take it he did but unfortunately straight at Geoff Smith in goal who parried it and then watched a subsequent shot blaze over. Minutes later and Merstham did get the ball in the net as Simmons crossed and Read stabbed home while laying flat on his back but the linesman’s flag had already been raised for offside. Merstham started to rue these missed chances as Chertsey came into the game with good chances for Lee Passmore, Steve Gibson and two for the dangerous John Pomroy. Just before half-time Merstham striker Greenhouse won a corner for his team. Mark Simmons swung an indefendable ball in which Agyei met strongly at the near post and headed in. This was Agyei’s 25^th goal of the league campaign and 37^th in all competitions. In case the home side thought that goal had killed off the visitors though, they had the best chance of the half seconds later when Gibson headed straight at Ian Chatfield when it seemed easier to score.

With Tuesday’s Surrey Senior Cup semi-final in mind, Mick Sullivan replaced Agyei with Kevin Lock and switched Mark Simmons to a more attacking role. Considering the amount of chances Chertsey had first half, the defence was also switched to a more usual back four with Matt Francis playing left back. On 57 minutes Simmons in his unusual position had the best strike of the game after receiving a ball from Nick Greenhouse he sent a rocket heading for the roof of the net that Smith in goal could only tip over. The partnership of Greenhouse and Simmons worked even better two minutes later when a strong run by Greenhouse enabled Simmons to slip in behind the defenders. With calm and precision, he dribbled round the keeper and slotted the ball home with aplomb. The lead was nearly increased again soon afterwards as Simmons played a one-two with skipper and emergency right back Craig Vernon however with the goal gaping before him, Vernon cut his shot wide. Greenhouse was replaced by the ever-willing Jon Dale at this point and he soon had a shot which blazed over. With just over 15 minutes to go Chertsey reminded the league champions that they were still in a contest when a mistake between Vernon and Ian Chatfield led to John Pomroy capturing what was possibly the easiest of his 39 league goals this season. Chris Boulter took a knock soon after and was replaced by Joe Hill just before John Dale hit the post after good work by Matt Francis. With ten minutes to go, one could see that the Merstham players were visibly tiring after their emotional and draining exploits on Thursday. Chertsey had a large amount of pressure and a succession of corners as they pressed for an equalizer. A lot of this newfound belief was created by the introduction of infamous striker Kevin Cooper whose ghosting runs and good skill were tormenting the defence. Cooper had just one shot which went wide soon after a Passmore header had hit the post as Merstham rode their luck a little but the whistle blew and the points meant Merstham had smashed through the 100 point barrier.

Merstham’s six consecutive league win was a good boost ahead of the Redhill game in 51 hours time. Merstham’s imperious march toward an unbelievable treble continues.

Man of the Match: Mark Simmons

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 4 v 2 Bedfont Green
Premier Challenge Cup Final
17th April  2008

An entertaining game of epic proportions took place at Woking’s Kingfield Stadium on Thursday night. Merstham took the lead in the first half thanks to Kwabena Agyei before a second half two-goal fight back by Bedfont Green left Merstham staring defeat in the face. But a Chris Boulter equaliser took the game into extra-time before Agyei and Matt Francis sealed the victory with a goal each. This was Merstham fourth appearance in the final in a row and their third victory meaning the club has achieved a famous double in this, their most successful season ever.

After two close contests in the league this season, both teams approached this game with caution but the roar of the crowd soon provoked a sense of urgency. The first goal of this thrilling game came on 21 minutes when Merstham midfielder Mark Simmons had a strike from the edge of the box. Bedfont Green’s goalkeeper could only parry the shot out to Kwabena Agyei who blasted the ball back goalwards and saw it cannon in off a flailing defender’s leg. Merstham seemed to settle into their passing game now that they had the lead but this relaxation seemed like complacency at times as in the time when Green’s Chris Henry was nearly through one on one with Ian Chatfield before Joe Hill rescued the Moatsiders with a last ditch tackle.

In the second half, Bedfont Green stepped their game up a gear or two and they caught Merstham napping within three minutes of the re-start when striker Aaron McLeish found space in the right hand channel and drilled the ball past Chatfield. The Bedfont Green supporters, already outnumbering and out shouting the Merstham fans raised the noise level another notch as they saw their boys in blue take the game to the league champions. Just 12 minutes later and McLeish stunned Merstham with another goal as gaps appeared at the back for him to slide rule a shot into the net, this time from the left hand side. At this stage Green were beating Merstham to every ball and seemed livelier and more physical. In fact the referee seemed so concerned at the aggressive tackling from both sides that he dished out no less than ten yellow cards in what could not really be described as a dirty game. With about 20 minutes to go Michael Morgan was replaced by Matt Francis and the ‘never say die’ attitude which has seen the team lose only three times all season came through again. Kwabena Agyei won a corner which Rob Hill drilled across for centre back Chris Boulter to nod in from six yards. From this point on, Merstham created several good chances but found the Bedfont Green defence holding firm leading to a stalemate and extra time.

Merstham continued the new period of play as they’d finished normal time with more belief and skill than their valiant opponents. Just before the turn-around they made the breakthrough. A hopeful ball from Joe Hill behind the back four led to a mix-up between goalkeeper and defender with Agyei on hand to stab home to make it 3-2. The life seemed to drain out of Bedfont Green at this point although they continued to try, even using their goalkeeper to take free kicks in the attacking half. Chris Read was then replaced by Glenn Garman and Kevin Lock by Kevin Molloy as Merstham manager Mick Sullivan looked to shore up the lead. They spent a lot of the remaining time attacking on the break and just before the 120 minutes were up, Matt Francis went on a weaving run down the left hand channel. Just when it appeared that he had run out of room, he ducked inside and slammed his shot past the keeper to kill the game off.

The champagne flowed as Chairman Ted Hickman and director Martin Burr took to the pitch to celebrate with their players. The joy was there for all to see as this close-knit group of players and staff held the cup aloft for the traveling band of fans to take photos of. An amazing double has been completed but there is still the chance of further silverware to come as Merstham face Redhill in the Surrey Senior Cup semi-final.

Man of the Match: Chris Boulter

Leigh Hunt

North Greenford Utd 0 v 1 Merstham
Combined Counties Premier Division
12th April  2008

League champions Merstham beat one of their bogey sides by one goal to nil but the scoreline flattered the home team based on the amount of chances that weren’t taken. Midfielder Chris Read got the winning goal in the eleventh minute leaving Merstham well clear of the pack on 98 points. In a sporting gesture the North Greenford Utd players and the match official formed a ‘guard of honour’ for the League Champions as they were applauded onto the pitch.

Even before the goal Merstham had a chance to score from a dangerous Mark Simmons corner, the first of many in the game but no one was able to connect. However, that miss was quickly forgotten when Michael Morgan, returning to the side for his 99^th game in amber and black, wiggled his way past two defenders on the right wing and flung in a tempting cross which Chris Read met in front of the goal to tap in. Shortly afterwards Morgan was the recipient of a good cross himself from Kevin Lock but Morgan’s half volley whistled just wide. The next chance fell to Kwabena Agyei who seemed to have an eternity to bury a shot from 12 yards after good work from Joe Hill but somehow the striker blasted over. Agyei nearly scored again on the half hour when he shot from distance. Dean Lindsey in the North Greenford goal could only parry the ball out to Lock but he couldn’t get his shot away in time before the defenders cleared. Five minutes before half time Rob Hill lofted a high cross into the box but the ball caught on the wind and started dipping down under the crossbar. Only the alertness of Lindsey, who tipped the ball over, stopped the lead being doubled.

As the bright blue skies gave way to showers, Merstham came roaring out of the dressing room determined to increase their advantage. On the third minute came the first of three brushes with the woodwork as Mark Simmons curled a free kick from the left wing onto the post. Just after this, goalscorer Chris Read took a knock and was replaced by Glenn Garman. A succession of corners for the away side nearly led to goals as the home defence cleared the ball off the line twice. On 54 minutes Kevin Lock was played through into a one on one with the keeper but his carefully placed shot again hit the charmed post and out. It wasn’t just the post saving Greenford’s blushes though as the keeper made a great save from Michael Morgan. Morgan then turned provider giving the ball to Kwabena Agyei who from six yards out knocked the ball wide of the goal. Simmons nearly scored again from a free kick but the keeper got down low to his right to clear. On 68 minutes Morgan was replaced by Nick Greenhouse on the right wing as Merstham continued to create chances. A Matt Francis shot went just wide and Agyei hit the crossbar with just the keeper to beat. With 15 minutes to go Agyei was replaced up front by defender Kevin Molloy as some nerves started to creep in. It was starting to feel like one of those games when one team has all the chances but the other team break away and score and this nearly happened with two minutes to go as the lively winger Jack Bennett took a shot that Ian Chatfield brilliantly tipped over. Other than that chance though the Merstham defence coped well as they notched up their 21^st clean sheet of the campaign.

Another good win for Merstham with the league already sewn up and important cup games to come. They will feel though with 21 shots, 11 of which were on target, that they should have won more convincingly. Hopefully the shooting boots will return in Thursday’s Premier Challenge Cup Final against Bedfont Green at Woking.

Team: Ian Chatfield, Joe Hill, Rob Hill, Chris Boulter, Craig Vernon (c), Chris Read (Glenn Garman), Michael Morgan (Nick Greenhouse), Mark Simmons Kwabena Agyei (Kevin Molloy), Kevin Lock, Matt Francis

Man of the Match: Ian Chatfield & Mark Simmons

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 4 v 0 Banstead Athletic
Combined Counties Premier Division
8th April  2008

Four goals for Kwabena Agyei secured the win for Merstham and also took them to over 100 goals in the league.

Merstham looked comfortable from the off against a poor Banstead side. Within four minutes they’d already created a great chance for Nick Greenhouse which was well saved before a corner led to a cross being floated in where Kwabena Agyei rose highest and buried the ball in the net with a flick of his head. The midfielder quartet of Greenhouse, Glenn Garman, Matt Francis and Danny Ross were coping well with the somewhat over-physical approach of the away team and indeed Banstead’s Lumumba was yellow carded for a foul on Garman. On 16 minutes the lead was doubled. In the build-up Kevin Lock, working tirelessly as usual swung a cross in which Ross challenged for with Dave Tidy in the Banstead goal. The keeper panicked and knocked the ball out for a corner. From the resultant dead ball Matt Francis swung the ball in to Agyei who with his back to goal, swiveled and shot in one movement. With a slight nick off a defender the ball diverted past Tidy’s flailing hands and was in. Merstham didn’t let off and continued to strive for more goals. Francis came close with a 30 yard missile that just went wide and Lock hit the crossbar from an equally impressive distance. Just before half-time things became a little ragged for the home team. Greenhouse was booked for dissent after complaining about not being given a foul when Banstead started trying to kick him out of the game. The visitors then created one of their few chances as Mick Brown missed a good chance to pull one back. In general though, the back four of the Hill boys, skipper Craig Vernon and Kevin Molloy stood firm and strong.

The second half was barely 40 seconds old when Kwabena Agyei’s third goal killed the game as a contest. Jon Dale on for the injured Danny Ross crossed the ball in from the right and Agyei spun and struck with another slight deflection carrying the ball in. Banstead appeared to give up completely at this point and so Merstham took their foot off the pedal with many more important games still to come. After 65 minutes Matt Francis took a knock and was replaced by debutant Tony Acquam on the right wing. Chances were much fewer and further between for the majority of the second half and just as the game seemed to be petering out to a 3-0; Agyei stepped up with another goal. This time it was a left foot shot, nicely placed wide of Tidy in the goal. It was no more than Merstham had deserved especially for their first half display. Agyei’s four goals take him to 24 in the league.

Overall Merstham had 17 shots in the game compared to Banstead’s eight and of those 17, ten were on target. They thoroughly earned the victory and now have a mighty 95 points with 6 games still to play. They are 35 games unbeaten in the league and have a goal difference of 84. North Greenford next, one of our tougher opponents this season but in this form, Merstham have nothing to fear.

Man of the Match: Kwabena Agyei

Johnny Moatside

Bedfont 1 v 2 Merstham
Combined Counties Premier Division
5th April  2008

With the league title already sewn up, Merstham gained another win away to Bedfont amid miserable weather conditions. Kevin Lock notched his 25^th and 26^th goals of the league campaign and despite a late goal from the home side, the boys in amber and black held on to secure three points to take their tally to 92 with just one more goal needed to achieve 100 for the season.

In between bursts of torrential rain, Merstham kicked off their first game as reigning champions. Playing into blustery wind, chances were few and far between. The earliest fell to leading scorer Kevin Lock who just missed latching onto Kwabena Agyei’s pinpoint cross after good work by Matt Francis down the left flank. Lock had another great chance on 22 minutes after being put through by Chris Read into a one on one situation with Dean Banks in the Bedfont goal. Lock side footed the ball past the keeper but also agonisingly past the post. A few minutes later and Francis again weaved into a good position past two defenders. His cross was met on the volley by Agyei which whistled past the near post. The breakthrough finally came in the thirty second minute when Glenn Garman playing at right back found Francis on the left hand side. As Bedfont appealed for offside, Francis whipped in a superb cross which Lock met with his head from a couple of yards out leaving the keeper with no chance. Lock had chances to double his tally towards the end of the half. He fashioned one opportunity for himself but had his attempt on target blocked by the keeper and another Francis cross led to yet another Lock shot being blocked. Lock himself turned provider late on as well as he crossed for Nick Greenhouse to head goalward but it drifted just wide.

After a half-time break for a bit of plane-spotting, the two teams recommenced their tussle. The weather steadily worsened as a rain shower turned to sleet and players and supporters braved the elements. The chances continued to fall to Merstham players as Kevin Lock, Kwabena Agyei and Matt Francis all went close. Best save of the game came around an hour into the contest when Nick Greenhouse cut in from the right hand flank and powered a dipping drive towards the corner of the goal only to see Dean Banks pull off a spectacular tip over. However he was helpless from the resulting corner when the ball fell to Lock just a matter of yards out and he tucked the ball away to double the lead and take his total goal tally to 32 in all competitions. Five minutes later and Bedfont’s Mark Ryan was sent off after two trips on Greenhouse in quick succession earned him two yellow cards. However, Bedfont didn’t let their heads drop and they pressed forward soon afterwards with one of their few attacks and from a corner Russell Miner scored from close range. Just before their goal, Merstham had pulled off their two strikers and replaced them with Jon Dale and Kevin Molloy. Molloy was pushed up top into an unfamiliar area but he showed some great skill holding the ball up and fashioning chances. One fell to Greenhouse, now playing upfront, whose shot trickled just wide. Greenhouse also created a good chance for Dale who raced onto the ball but was blocked well by Banks in goal. Francis created a chance for himself but his turn and shot went wide. Finally to some relief, the whistle blew and everyone could get in out of the cold.

Merstham deserved the points as the stats showed they had 19 shots to Bedfont’s three. With their reinstatement into the Surrey Senior Cup confirmed and the league title secured, the treble is now on.

Man of the Match: Matt Francis

Leigh Hunt

Farnham Town 3 v 4 Merstham
Premier Challenge Cup Semi Final
1st April  2008

Merstham staged an incredible fight back in the final quarter of Tuesday night’s League Cup semi-final coming from behind twice in a game that they should really have killed off in the first half. Chris Read and Kevin Lock got the first half goals whilst Kwabena Agyei scored a brace enabling Merstham to reach the final for the fourth season in succession.

Thanks to the changing of the seasons this game kicked off amid sunshine and blue skies as Merstham took the attack to the Division One side. In the first of seventeen attempts on goal in the first half Kwabena Agyei burst though the Farnham defence but blazed over. The home team was managing to block everything that was on target including a fine header from Chris Boulter from a corner. Twenty minutes gone and against the run of play Farnham, with only their second attack of the match, broke down the left hand side. A ball was cut back for Farnham’s Nathan Abery on the edge of the box who struck a right foot shot past Ian Chatfield’s left hand. Roused into action, Merstham got a goal back seven minutes later. Rob Hill floated a great corner ball in, which was met by Matt Francis whose scuffed effort goalward was turned in by Chris Read hovering near the post. Scenting their opponents were wobbling, Merstham pressed on and on 38 minutes they took the lead. A long ball was met by Agyei and a centre back who both went up for the ball in the air. The result was a perfect nod on for Kevin Lock who took the ball round the keeper and slotted the ball home with defenders racing back.

The second half started like a completely different game. Farnham came roaring out of the traps whereas Merstham appeared to think the game was over already. It wasn’t until the 56^th minute that the away side mounted a meaningful attack. Kwabena Agyei burst his way through the Farnham back four only for one of the defenders to bring him down in the box. Rather than stay down and try and claim a penalty, Agyei got back up and took a shot that whistled over the bar. The referee rather than award a penalty insisted that he had played an advantage. It was a decision that incensed the Merstham bench and looked possibly to prove costly in the following ten minutes as Farnham scored two goals to again take the lead. The first came from a corner which an unmarked Simon Pullman nodded in whilst the second came when the impressive Nathan Abery crossed to Steve Harding who placed his header back the way it came into the corner of the net. With only 25 minutes to go, drastic measures were needed and Merstham brought on three subs and changed to a 3-5-2 formation. This change in tactics reaped rewards when, in the 76^th minute, a Rob Hill corner from the right hand side was met by a towering Agyei who powered the ball into the goal. Minutes later and Agyei played in Kevin Lock who seemed certain to score but for a fantastic save by Craig Green in goal. The pressure paid off though as on 81 minutes Kevin Lock put in some good work hassling and harrying a Farnham defender down in the right back spot. Panicked, the defender scuffed his clearance and the ball found Agyei on the edge of the box who pulled back his right leg and blasted a rocket of a shot past the keeper and into the top corner of the goal. The game was then killed dead by Merstham as they celebrated pulling the game out of the bag as only Cup holders can.

A tight game that Merstham could easily have lost if not for a change in tactics and some battling forward play from the strikers. Merstham now face Bedfont Green in the final at Woking on April 17^th. The two games against them this season have been 2-0 and 0-1 victories for Merstham and I’m sure the final will be equally tight.

Men of the Match: Kwabena Agyei & Kevin Lock

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 3 v 2 Cove
Combined Counties Premier Division
29th March 2008

Man of the Match: Chris Boulter

Leigh Hunt

Horley Town 1 v 4 Merstham
Combined Counties Premier Division
24th March 2008

Man of the Match: Kevin Lock

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 1 v 1 Guildford City
Combined Counties Premier Division
22nd March 2008

Man of the Match: Nick Greenhouse

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 2 v 0 Colliers Wood Utd
Combined Counties Premier Division
18th March 2008

A 29th minute strike from in-form striker Kwabena Agyei and a 90^th minute goal from leading scorer Kevin Lock gave Merstham the points in a game where they deserved more goals. The three points mean that, depending on various results, they are now possibly just one victory away from being crowned champions of the Combined Counties Premier League.

Merstham started the game missing several key players but you wouldn’t have known as they blitzed into action creating a multitude of chances in the first ten minutes. Youngsters Danny Ross and David Smith played on the wings and they were skimming past their markers with ease leading to several good chances for the Merstham front pairing of Lock and Agyei. In the eighth minute a Smith cross led to a goalmouth scramble with Lock and Agyei failing to get the killer touch. From the resultant corner, centre back Chris Boulter hammered a volley goalward that smacked back off the crossbar. Just four minutes later and it seemed that Tony Oval in the Colliers Wood goal was leading a charmed life when David Smith powered an incredible shot which seemed to hit the same part of the crossbar. Danny Ross got in on the action midway through the half when he met a Joe Hill cross at short range but somehow the visitors blocked it away for a corner. Finally on 29 minutes the home side got the deserved breakthrough. A long ball forward to Kevin Lock was cleared on the stretch by captain Marc Hudson but the ball ran straight to Kwabena Agyei who pounced on the chance and without hesitation slammed an angled drive from the corner of the penalty area past the despairing dive of the keeper who had been caught off his line by the attack. That was Agyei’s seventh goal in eight games and it looked like the start of a rout but Colliers Wood battled hard and forced a double save out of Ian Chatfield just six minutes later. Back up the other end and more chances came the home side’s way with the best falling to David Smith who headed a great Mark Simmons cross toward goal which was tipped wide leaving the half-time score 1-0.

The second half was a curious affair with neither side really creating much in the way of chances. Merstham’s shape was affected as Danny Ross was injured and had to be replaced by Glenn Garman who played out of position on the left wing. Colliers Wood certainly came into the game more and more during the middle of this half without creating anything in the way of real clear cut chances. With fifteen minutes to go, Merstham sparked back into life as David Smith’s rocket of a shot rebounded to Chris Read whose instant shot hit the crossbar. It was beginning to look like one of those games where the second goal never goes in and the opposition break away and get an equaliser. To this end, Merstham replaced Agyei with the fresh legs of Leon Wallace and he created fresh impetus up front and nearly scored his first goal with a couple of good chances. With six minutes to go, Colliers Wood gained a free kick right on the edge of Merstham’s penalty area. Although the dead ball was hit straight into the wall, the defenders then struggled to clear it away as it pinballed around a whole host of players’ legs. Finally in the 90^th minute Kevin Lock settled the nerves. He received a throw from Rob Hill inside the area with his back to goal. He spun the defender and with his left foot smacked a shot goalward which thanks to a tiny nick off the defender left the goalkeeper beaten. It was no more than the league leaders deserved.

Man of the Match: David Smith

Leigh Hunt

Egham Town 1 v 1 Merstham
Combined Counties Premier Division
15th March 2008

Merstham’s title run-in had a slight hiccup on Saturday as they dropped two points against lowly Egham Town. An early goal for the home side had Merstham struggling to fight back into the game on a terrible pitch ill-suited to their usual passing game. A strong second half performance though made the difference with Kwabena Agyei notching his eighteenth goal of the campaign and his sixth in seven games. Thankfully due to other title chasers dropping points Merstham now only need three wins and a draw from their last twelve games to win the league.

On an overcast day with rain threatening Merstham started the game brightly with Chris Read having a good headed chance in the second minute that deflected over for a corner. The home side in red and white soon got into the game though with their big physical play causing problems on set pieces and in the ninth minute this paid off when midfielder Adam Fousler ghosted into the box and met a corner ball with a powerful header past Ian Chatfield. Merstham seemed to struggle to get back into the game once one nil down, not just down to the terrible pitch but also due to the fact that they were playing an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation. Egham equalled Merstham for chances and had a penalty shout dismissed when Chris Read’s handball spotted by the referee was adjudged to be outside the box and not in as it looked. One of Merstham’s better chances fell to wing back Joe Hill who had been slotted in by Glenn Garman but Clark Gooding in the Egham goal saved well with his feet. Merstham ended the half strong with good pressure on the home defence and in particular a good move involving Nick Greenhouse and Rob Hill who fed the ball to Agyei who spun well in the box but then blasted his shot way over.

In the second half, Merstham reverted to 4-4-2 with David Smith and Mark Simmons coming on for Glenn Garman and Kevin Molloy. The rain started to pour as Merstham took the game by the scruff of the neck and started to pepper the Egham goal with shots such as the one in the 48^th minute when Kevin Lock created a good chance for himself but his shot was deflected wide. Ten minutes into the half though, Merstham got their just reward as Lock hooked the ball forward for Kwabena Agyei. He overpowered the big centre back Jack McKinlay fairly and then strode forward towards the goal. With calmness and precision he slotted the ball to the goalkeeper’s left to make it one apiece. Merstham looked to gain a second with increasing amounts of possession and chances. David Smith impressed down the right wing in tandem with Joe Hill whilst Nick Greenhouse did the same on the left hand side. Mark Simmons and Chris Read in the middle of the park kept the ball well and spread the play around as Merstham dominated but good defending and wayward shots left the league leaders disappointed. It could have been a lot worse though as Egham in one of their attacks in the second half caught Merstham on the break and scored what seemed to be an unlikely goal with six minutes to go. Relief for Merstham was evident when the linesman raised a flag for offside and so the game ended all square.

Merstham’s unbeaten run in the league now stretches to 29 games. Only another ten points are needed as a maximum out of 36 that are available. Hopes are high that the title can be clinched around Easter.

Man of the Match: Chris Read

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 1 v 0 Wembley
Combined Counties Premier Division
8th March 2008

Another goal for in-form striker Kwabena Agyei secured another three points for Merstham at the Moatside on Saturday. Visitors Wembley were strong and physical but they were unable to halt Merstham’s unbeaten League run stretch to 28 games.

Under a grey sky drizzling with rain Merstham kicked off against the wind and yet nearly scored in the opening minute. Michael Morgan crossed to the other winger David Smith whose pass found Kevin Lock who whistled a shot wide of the post. Wembley soon replied with a good chance of their own as Ian Chatfield failed to hold on to a shot by Joel Bevis but he recovered to gather the ball before Gary Richefond could touch it in. Six minutes in and Michael Morgan wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Slipped in, thanks to a great pass by Agyei, Morgan was one on one with the goalkeeper but he tried to slide it in on the near post and instead found the side netting. Wembley tried to stem the Merstham attacks with some overly physical challenges with at one point two Merstham players down and needing treatment. The home side continued to play good football though and created more chances for Agyei and right back Joe Hill. Glenn Garman came close to breaking his duck for the season but he blasted his shot over the bar. A spate of yellow cards followed as the referee tried to clamp down on late tackles however one of these was to Matt Francis who lunged in a bit late on a Wembley player. Merstham continued creating goal scoring opportunities up to the half time whistle with the best one falling to the head of Craig Vernon from a corner which went just wide.

The second half started as the first finished with Merstham applying lots of pressure to the Wembley goal. After a scrappy period of play which saw Glenn Garman yellow carded and Matt Francis replaced by Rob Hill at left back, Kwabena Agyei had a good header saved whilst Kevin Lock got the ball in the net only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside. This was the same linesman who caused the game to be delayed by 23 minutes as he was late, a bit like his flag on this occasion. Kevin Lock kept his head up though and had himself three more chances but it didn’t seem to be his day as he failed to convert any of them. Finally on 68 minutes the deadlock was broken. David Smith put in a good cross from the right hand side and Agyei rose ahead of his marker and powered a decisive header into the corner of the net. Wembley started applying a lot of pressure at this point trying to fight their way back in the game. A succession of corners found Merstham’s defence tested but they stood strong each time although they did come close to scoring when Lee Doherty slid in to try and tap into an empty net but missed. For the last ten minutes Leon Wallace replaced Lock up front and they linked up well to create a chance for Agyei but Marc Talbot in the goal saved well. In the last few minutes Chris Boulter came on for Michael Morgan as Wembley threw everything at the home side to score but their efforts were in vain

This was the second league game in March down with six points in the bag. It’s now looking more a case of when not if in regards to winning the league. Four more wins will be enough to bring the trophy to Moatside.

Man of the Match: Kwabena Agyei

Leigh Hunt

Merstham 1 v 0 Camberley Town
Combined Counties Premier Division
4th March 2008

Merstham took an enormous stride towards the Combined Counties League Premier title on Tuesday night with a tight 1-0 win over promotion rivals Camberley Town. A first half goal from Kwabena Agyei sealed the victory in a scrappy game of few good chances. Both sides battled but that’s how the game ended and with Cove also losing, Merstham now need just six wins at most from their r