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A new season has finally come upon on us. Meanwood ended last season strongly and are undefeated in their last nine games. Today they face Grampa's 8 my Hampster, a team that has played in this division longer than anyone else. Meanwood have won their last three matches against Grampa's 8 my Hampster, the most recent being a 9-2 demolition just a matter of weeks ago. Meanwood also hold their record league result against Grampa's 8 my Hampster when they murdered them 17-5. However, Grampa's 8 my Hampster are a good team and they can beat anyone if they put their minds to it. Starting the season for Meanwood are the usual five. Aydan Fertug retains his place between the sticks. At the back are Woody, Mckieth and Bissitt and the final outfield player is Gafa who starts up front. Grampa's 8 my Hampster also have a full team to choose from and have their goalkeeper back from their previous games. Can he stop Meanwood from scoring? The match was delayed by thirty minutes due to a Big Kahuna's player breaking their leg in their division 4 match against Roque Jnrs. As a result of this incident, this match has been reduced from forty minutes to a mere thirty minutes. After a long wait, Meanwood finally kicked off their season and they seemed organised and relaxed.  Gafa almost opened the scoring when an early effort cannoned off the post. Gafa should have done a bit better with that one. Meanwood again almost opened the scoring when an Anthony Mckieth effort zoomed just wide. The goal was almost coming and it eventually arrived when Woody broke forward and drilled a low shot past Grampa's 8 my Hampster's despairing keeper. Meanwood were starting to play some good football but this proved meaningless as Grampa's 8 my Hampster equalised after a Meanwood defender was caught out of position and allowed a player clean through on goal. This ruined Meanwood's confidence and they then allowed Grampa's 8 my Hampster to produce a stunning shot that was heading towards the top corner of the net. Fortunately, Aydan Fertug managed to pull off a stunning fingertip save to keep the scores level. The scores weren't going to be static for long and Grampa's 8 my Hampster added to their total when a low shot found it's way past Aydan Fertug. Meanwood managed to get back on track and Gafa once again hit the post. Mckieth rallied forward and wormed his way past a tight Hampster defence but his shot was just wide. Meanwood were beginning to rue on their luck and things got even worse when Grampa's 8 my Hampster added a third after a quick counter attack. Meanwood battled back and had even more efforts on goal but they failed to materialise. The half score saw Meanwood trailing 3-1.
Grampa's 8 my Hampster kicked off the second half and they immediately set off to defend their lead.  Anthony Mckieth quickly gained possession for Meanwood and set off an attack down the middle, which resulted in a golden chance for Woody. Although Woody's shot was powerful, it was unfortunately down the middle and Grampa's 8 my Hampster's keeper was able to save. Meanwood's determination was finally rewarded when Mckieth wormed his way through a crowded Hampster defence and placed the ball accurately into the bottom corner to pull one back. Meanwood were beginning to play some good football and they almost equalised when Gafa shot just wide. Despite Meanwood's domination, Grampa's 8 my Hampster added a fourth when their striker was put through one on one with Aydan Fertug and slotted home. This dented Meanwood's confidence and this was cruelly exploited by Grampa's 8 my Hampster when they added a fifth seconds later after their striker managed to squeeze the ball past Aydan Fertug at his near post. Meanwood were devastated but they managed to pull themselves together and pressurised Grampa's 8 my Hampster for the remaining five minutes. Gafa sent a lovely through ball to Anthony Mckieth but he missed from five yards. However, the ball ricocheted back to Gafa who sent the ball to the opposite side and once again put Anthony Mckieth through. This time Mckieth made no mistake and placed the ball home to make the score 5-3. For the remaining minutes Meanwood pressurised but to no avail. The reduced thirty minutes were up and the referee blew his whistle to give Meanwood their first defeat of the season.
Man Of The Match- Anthony Mckieth Mckieth started the season strongly and displayed some good counter attacking football. He sat back and defended when required and went forward to add a bit of spice to the Meanwood attack. Unfortunately though it wasn't enough and he was let down by some bad luck and poor finishing from his team mates. Another top display from Mckieth who has started this season how he left off. Conclusion A strange performance from Meanwood, they started strongly and should have had the game wrapped up within the first five minutes but they failed to finish their chances. They were fairly solid at the back and looked reasonably dangerous going forward. So what went wrong? It was a case of a bit of bad luck and a failure to regain their momentum after conceding their goals that cost them. If the match lasted the normal amount then it could have been a different story because Meanwood were threatening to dismantle Grampa's 8 my Hampster towards the end. Meanwood have now never won on the opening day and they must now wait another season to put it right. These things happen. |