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 A nervy Meanwood team entered goals at 7.30pm ready for their crucial must-win match. The little bad lad's were anxious before they lined up to face Grampa's 8 my Hampster as they knew that a loss would result in Meanwood losing three on the trot for the first time in their 5-a-side history. They would also need a win to give them some hope of clinching third or second place come the end of the season. Grampa's 8 my Hampster on the other hand had made two "big" signings and were confident of a win that would see them move up in the table. Meanwood were a team going through a bad patch and were seen as easy pickings.
Meanwood lined up with almost a full team. Unfortunately, Ayden Fertug was still out with a sprained wrist, which has seen him play in only one and a half of the last 11 games. Fortunately, Paul Mallian was available to replace him and he was occompinied by Daniel Woodward, Anthony Mckieth, Richard Bissitt and Dean Bell. After a recent goal drought, Gafa was dropped to the bench. Emergency backup player James Milner made a surprise appearance at Goals as he came to watch, he was expecting a Hampster victory as he hadn't been involved in many of Meanwood's successes. The match was delayed five minutes after a fight broke out in the previous match. Meanwood started the match in an offensive mood but couldn't cutting find a cutting edge to put the ball into the back of the net. Woody had a glorious chance early on as he ventured forward but his shot was just wide. Then disaster happened as Grampa's 8 my Hampster scored a surprise opening goal when the Meanwood defence gave Hampster's striker too much room and allowed him to place the ball into  the bottom right hand corner of the net. Meanwood's began to wonder if fate was against them. Gafa then went on for Dean Bell and was almost immediately subbed for James Milner. However, James Milner did make a shock cameo appearance and came on for Mckieth. Meanwood then ventured forward and got a deserving equaliser after Woody fired home. Meanwood then started to keep possession but couldn't find a breakthrough and were cruelly punished when Grampa's 8 my Hampster shocked again. Undeserving? Well yes but the score-line is rarely a guideline to Meanwood's performance. The referee refused to give Meanwood any decisions and was biased towards the older university student team. Gafa then had an argument with the referee when he penalised him for being elbowed. Worse was still to come when Grampa's 8 my Hampster broke forward and scored to make it 3-1. Meanwood looked destined to lose three on the trot for the first time in their history. However, Meanwood roared back like brave lions and Woody powered forward to pull one back. However, this success was short lived as Hampster scored once again after the ball went in off Mallian's back to extend the cushion between the teams. Fortunately, Gafa scored a rare goal this month when he coolly placed the ball into the bottom left hand corner from distance to pull one back before half time.
The second half started with the same team as the first half as Meanwood needed their strongest team out to go looking for goals and they got their reward when Dean scored from the distance to equalise for Meanwood. However, it would quickly turn sour for Meanwood as Grampa's 8 my Hampster scored twice in quick succession after some slack Meanwood defending. Meanwood's sloppy goals had turned the match into an uphill battle and things weren't helped when Gafa's shot was comfortably saved by Hampster's keeper, further proof of a man on a goal drought. However, Gafa and Meanwood were fighting for every ball but they were getting frustrated by Hampster's obvious time wasting tactics. Hampster's keeper further managed to waste an extra minute when he pretended that he'd hurt his hand. Hampster then decided to make sub after sub at every possible chance they could. However, Meanwood fought back very late on when Mckieth broke free and scored. Meanwood then got a shock equaliser when Dean Bell smashed a shot home that went in off the keeper. Mckieth would then steal all the glory for Meanwood as he wormed his was way through the entire Hampster defence and slotted home to put Meanwood in front very late on. Meanwood then gave Grampa's 8 my Hampster a taste of their own medicine when they started to time waste themselves. Paul Mallian jokingly pretended that he'd hurt his backside to waste a few seconds and Woody stood with the ball on the area line for twenty seconds before passing it back to Mallian. The match was dying out but there was still some time for some more drama as Gafa tried to find a way past for the Hampster defence but was fouled repeatedly, which in resulted in an argument between Meanwood and Hampster. Hampster then threatened to break all of Meanwood's legs but Meanwood continued to give them a rough time as they went home with a 7-6 victory after a thrilling encounter.
Meanwood's Man Of The Match- Anthony Mckieth After a quiet first half, Anthony Mckieth was a tricky customer throughout the second and was vital in helping Meanwood snatch victory. He managed to keep his cool when others where getting stressed out and worked hard for the team in going forward and defending. His two second half goals were breathtaking and highly important as they helped Meanwood win the match. During the last three weeks, he has been scoring goals where as others have been failing. Mckieth should be very proud of his performance tonight. Conclusion Meanwood made hard work of this match by conceding some slack goals. However, once they got going they began to dominate the match and their true ability showed. It wasn't on the same level as performance as the previous time these two sides met but it was far more vital as it keeps Meanwood in the chase for a top three finish. Meanwood have slipped down to fifth on goal difference as Paul Redfearn has overtaken them. However, Meanwood should not be too downhearted as they have four more points than this time last season and a win next week will see them overtake Kelly's Heroes. If Meanwood win and Paul Redfearn fail to beat Grampa's 8 my Hampster then Meanwood will go third. Exciting stuff but Meanwood can no longer afford to slip up. |