Meanwood Fall at Final Hurdle

Meanwood's first competitive action had been announced, they were due to take part in the Grand Prix tournament. A tournament that had attracted teams from all over Yorkshire. It was to be the first time Meanwood had played for over 7 months and their first Men's League tournament. The weather forecast had predicted lightening, could Meanwood get off to an electric start and cause a few shocks or would they struggle and drown in the rain? All was to be revealed. Meanwood's team consisted of some old familiar faces and some very old familiar faces. Chris Heath returned to the Meanwood side in goal for the first time in two and a half years. His last competitive game for Meanwood saw him play outfield and tangle with Yogesh Naskereee as the two exchanged words about where their contacts were located. The core of Meanwood's team Gafa, Bissitt and Woody had all managed to come back from unfortunate injuries. Joining them would be Sam Sawiuk who would play his first competitive football match for a year. Finally Johnny Milner would return to the side after his epic performance against OPL, which took place in January 2005. The Meanwood side fielded lacked match fitness but would they make up for it with ability? 1st Match vs. Shudovski Meanwood started the tournament against Shudovski where Bissitt and Gafa would see a familiar face in ex-Bradford City player Emile Sinclair who the two had known since they were seven. Emile Sinclair is also the cousin of England international Micah Richards so he was seen as a real threat. Meanwood started the match nervously and struggled to gel. Shudovski had the first chance of the game as Emile Sinclair found space on the edge of the box but his shot was blocked by Woody. Meanwood gradually started to get back into their rhythm but they were punished as Shudovski counter attacked and managed to get a shot on target which unfortunately slipped past Chris Heath. Meanwood battled back and Gafa played Milner through. However, his shot was wide of the target. Moments later, Emile Sinclair show boated and ran down the side doing multiple step overs. Only to be snapped by Johnny Milner in an x-rated tackle. As minutes remained, Johnny Milner weaved his way past the Shudovski defence only for his shot to go wide. The referee blew his whistle and Meanwood had lost a close encounter 1-0. 2nd Match vs. Fudge Packers Meanwood's next match would be against the Fudge Packers. Bissitt made his first appearance of the tournament and immediately ran forward with the ball. Only to barge his way through and receive a final warning from the referee after about 5 seconds of the match. Meanwood continued to attack and Woody managed to shoot but was well wide. However, Meanwood's attacking mentality was rewarded when Johnny Milner's shot rebounded to Gafa who tapped it in to equalise. Meanwood's confidence grew and they sought after another goal. However, they were hit on the counter attack as the Fudge Packers packed a lethal punch to the Meanwood arsenal when a deflected shot found it's way past Chris Heath. Meanwood responded well and Johnny Milner hit a low footed drive that found its way past the Fudge Packers' keeper to put them in the lead. With seconds remaining Meanwood looked to be heading for victory until they were dealt a wicked blow when Fudge Packers found a gap in the Meanwood defence and scored an undeserved equaliser to make the final score 2-2. 3rd Match vs. Lewis Carson Meanwood's chances of qualifying for the semis looked slender and they needed to take the majority of their remaining points. Lewis Carson were up next and they were top of the group. However, they were a posh team who were most likely from the Alwoodly area of Leeds and Meanwood have a nasty habit of upsetting posh teams (cough, cough KFC). Meanwood started brightly and scored immediately when a low shot from Sawiuk found it's way into the net to make the score 1-0. Meanwood's confidence grew and they would soon find themselves 2-0 up when Johnny Milner slotted home after some nifty footwork. Things were beginning to look bright for Meanwood and Johnny Milner would strike again to make it 3-0. Sawiuk and Milner were tearing lumps out of their posh counterparts and giving them a hard time. The Lewis Carson players constantly appealed to the referee and they were both given final warnings. Meanwhile, Bissitt and Woody played their first match together and the defensive duo looked invincible and Lewis Carson were limited to long distance shots. However, a long distance shot did trouble Chris Heath who saved well. Unfortunately, the ball rebounded a Lewis Carson player and they pulled one back. Meanwood responded well and a drilled shot from Woody fooled the keeper to make the score 4-1, which remained the score for the remainder of the game. This result gave Meanwood some much needed hope. 4th Match vs. England Allstars Next up for Meanwood was a trip against a robust England Allstars. Meanwood started the brighter and tested the keeper early on through Johnny Milner. Gafa then a had shot go just wide. Meanwood continued to press and Woody had a shot blocked which rebounded to Bissitt who forced the keep into a quick save. The match continued to go Meanwood's way but they found it difficult to put the ball in the net and almost paid the penalty when England Allstars broke free. However, Woody made a vital tackle to stop them from getting their first shot on goal. Sam Sawiuk was given another final warning for barging an Allstars player out of the way. The clock ticked and less than one minute remained when Johnny Milner had another shot that was saved. The match looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw until Gafa chased a lose ball and ran down the wing. Gafa drew two players towards him and played a through ball to Johnny who coolly slotted home to claim a win for Meanwood with the last kick of the ball. 5th Match vs. Leeds Lions Meanwood's final match of the group stage would be against Leeds Lions. Meanwood and Leeds Lions have played many times before but it wasn't the same Leeds Lions as previously. This team included a few older and physically stronger players who had previously played against Meanwood for Burley A in 2001. Meanwood needed a win to go through and this caused them to play nervously. Despite the nervous start it was Meanwood who had the first shot on target when Sam Sawiuk had a shot that went just wide. Johnny then had another shot that also went wide. Meanwood continued to pressurise but were hit on the counter attack and Lions secured a shock lead. Meanwood's luck needed to change, things just weren't going in their favour…until the lightening came and struck the floodlight. Most teams were frightened by this but it inspired Meanwood and as the rain poured down, Gafa got a last minute goal when his shot found the bottom corner of the net to give Meanwood a much needed equaliser. Meanwood almost scored again through Sawiuk but they were to settle for a 1-1 draw. Group Table Pos Team Points GD 1 Lewis Carson 10 +5 2 Meanwood 8 +2 3 Shudovski 8 +2 4 England Allstars 6 0 5 Leeds Lions 6 -1 6 Fudge Packers 1 -8 Meanwood waited anxiously for the final league table to be made. If Meanwood were to qualify it would be by their skin of their teeth. Meanwood's chances were touch and go but as the lightening lit up Goals Soccer Centers, something seemed right. Even if Meanwood were not to qualify it would be a decent return for a side that had been plagued with injuries and hadn't played for 7 months. Meanwood had no right to be there as they were a wild card entrée but here they were competing. The final table was announced and Meanwood were through on Goals scored. Their thumping victory over the posh team that finished top of the ground had secured their place in the semi-final. However, this came at the expense for Shudovski but as a consolation prize Emile Sinclair got trails for Nottingham Forest shortly after and was about to be offered a contract until he picked up an unfortunate injury. Semi Final vs. Bradford Boys Here we go another Meanwood semi-final. The last one ended controversially when Holbeck scored a last minute goal. Just for the record, Holbeck had managed to enter this tournament and had finished bottom of their group with nil points. So however Meanwood had performed at least they'd done better than Holbeck. Meanwood's opponents were Bradford Boys. Some teams are born great like Meanwood but Bradford Boys are something extra special. Bradford Boys are a team from Bradford who travel around Yorkshire to take part in 5-a-side competitions. They had won competitions all over Yorkshire and their record at Goals Leeds is amazing, they have won every tournament they have entered. Bradford Boys had taken a loyal legion of fans with them who were all expecting to see their team roar to a comfortable victory. The match started with Meanwood starting brightly with Johnny Milner coming close. Sam Sawiuk followed it up with a shot that went wide of the far post. Bradford Boys counter attacked and forced a good save from Chris Heath. Sawiuk and Johnny were combing well up front and Johnny put Sawiuk straight through but he hit his shotcame off the post. A Bradford player went on a threatening run but Woody out-muscled him. Meanwood then took a shock lead when Johnny Milner powered a shot home from close range after some good work from Sawiuk. The Bradford Boys fans were stunned, it was the first time they'd gone behind in the whole competition. Meanwood were reigning supreme and looked on their way for a shock win…until Bradford Boys scored an equaliser against the run of play when a shot squeezed past Heath. As the match neared its end, Meanwood were to be left heartbroken in controversial circumstances. Chris Heath was dubbed to have gone outside his area and a dubious penalty was award to Bradford who converted. The final whistle went and Meanwood were left heartbroken. Bradford went onto win the competition. Goal Scorers Pos Player Goals 1 Johnny Milner 4 2 Gafa 2 3 Woody 1 4 Sawiuk 1 Football is like a fairytale and it was fairytale for Meanwood to come back from all this agony and do so well. However, there was no fairytale ending as Meanwood lost due to a dubious penalty. Even the Bradford Allstars players were surprised by the penalty and it denied Meanwood something to take home and reward them for their efforts. However, this should not overshadow Meanwood's efforts who were excellent. They showed heart and character and this will serve them well as they prepare to make their comeback.