Photos credit: Merstham Football Club
Arsenal and England midfielder, Declan Rice, has been training over the Summer …. at Merstham Football Club.
Instead of joining the Arsenal squad for training in Spain he has been following an individual training plan at Merstham’s Moatside ground.
In a video message on social media, Declan Rice thanked the club for letting him use the pitch over the past few weeks and said he hopes Merstham gets promoted this season.
The football season has started for many of our local teams.
After relegation last season Crawley Town began their League Two campaign with a 3-0 loss away to Grimsby on Saturday.
The Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup got underway at the weekend. Three Bridges, South Park Reigate, and AFC Whyteleafe are all through to the next round. After a goalless draw at the New Defence, Horley Town will replay their match away at Corinthian tomorrow evening.
In League Two, Crawley Town lost 2-1 to Newport County in their first home game of the season.
Dorking Wanderers began their National League South campaign with a 2-2 draw away to Chippenham Town.
In the Isthmian League South East Division, Merstham FC kicked off the season with a 2-1 win over Beckenham. Three Bridges won 5-0 over Eastbourne Town at Jubilee Field with a hat trick from Reece Hallard. Eniola Hassan scored a hat trick for AFC Whyteleafe in their 5-0 home win over East Grinstead Town.
South Park Reigate won their South Central Division match 3-0 at home to Hayes and Yeading United.
Crawley Town lost their League Two match 1-0 away to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.
In the National League South, Dorking Wanderers lost 3-0 to Hampton and Richmond at Meadowbank.
Elsewhere Three Bridges move to top place in the Isthmian South East Division with a 4-1 win at home to Horsham YMCA.
AFC Whyteleafe are through to the next round of the FA Cup after winning their Preliminary Round match 2-0 away to Seaford Town. However Merstham are out of the Cup following their 4-2 defeat at home to Faversham Town.
Crawley Town drew in their match against Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday.
A very late goal from Ade Adeyemo gave The Red Devils the lead at the end of the first half.
But a header from Luke Offord in the 71st minute equalised the score.
The final score was 1-1.
