Meanwood Win The Battle of The Woods

Meanwood- The team that failed to show up for their last match. The team that has one point from a possible 15. The team that is full of drunken worn out footballers that are hailed as washed up and past it even though they're barely 18. The team that has self destructed and ruined its chances of success… Rewind 6 weeks… Meanwood- The team that top teams like Roque Jnrs, Omar Superstars and the rest of the division has failed to beat in the second half of the season. The team that has the ability to play at a much higher level. The team of gifted players who have the potential to become one of Goals' superpowers. The team that has so much to look forward to… Ok, back to the present situation…Meanwood have failed to win this season and have underachieved miraculously. Next in their miserable path awaits Lawnswood Arms. A team that is unbeaten since joining Goals and has acquired 15 out of 15 points so far. If Meanwood want to get their season back on track they must recover from their bad run and start playing like they used to, otherwise they could be on the end of a tongue lashing from the league leaders. Currently, it would be an upset if Meanwood were to beat Lawnswood but six weeks ago it would have been an upset if Meanwood have of lost…let's hope that Meanwood can put their nightmare start behind them and get back to winning ways. For their up hill struggle, Meanwood welcomed back Ayden Fertug in net after a 2 week absence. Protecting him in defence were Gafa, Anthony Mckieth and shockingly James Milner. Richard Bissitt played the role of lone striker. Daniel Woodward was missing due a small blister on his foot. Lawnswood Arms had a full team to choose from, aren't they lucky? Or are Meanwood just unlucky? Who cares? Lawnswood Arms kicked off and immediately tried to grab an early goal against the league's bottom side. However, Meanwood were more than happy to sit back and catch their opponents on the counter attack. Lawnswood Arms almost scored when their striker managed to break free and go one on one with Ayden Fertug but fortunately he shot wide and missed the target completely. This scared Meanwood into action and Bissitt tried to weave his way past Lawnswood's defence. However, Lawnswood showed why they have conceded so little this season and got so many men behind the ball that it became virtually impossible for Bissitt to get past them all. This prompted Meanwood to change their tactics slightly as the defenders pushed up and supported him. This worked dividends when James Milner sent a through ball to Bissitt who then managed to test the keeper. Meanwhile, Meanwood's defence still managed to once again get behind the ball making it difficult for Lawnswood Arms to break them down. Lawnswood were beginning to get embarrassed about taking too long to score against the league's bottom team. However, worse was to come when Bissitt broke free and coolly smashed the ball home to give Meanwood a shock lead. Lawnswood Arms then pressurised Meanwood as the sought for an equaliser. A thunderous shot from the half way line was sent towards the Meanwood goal but Ayden Fertug pulled off a stunning save and showed the team what they were missing against Kelly's Heroes. Meanwood then almost added a second when both James Milner and Anthony Mckieth shot wide. Meanwood were beginning to look like the side that was top of the table until Lawnswood showed their true colours and broke forward and coolly slotted past Ayden Fertug to score a cruel equaliser. However, Meanwood were resilient to their agony and battled on like knights in shining armour and showed some bounce back ability. Meanwood's determination was rewarded when Mckieth managed to worm his way through a stubborn defence and slot home. Meanwood were playing some good football again, the kind of football that had made them so feared. Lawnswood Arms didn't just fear them; they were shitting themselves as they were losing to a team bottom of the table. As the half fizzled out, Meanwood could have added to their lead with efforts from Gafa and James Milner narrowly missing. However, Ayden Fertug still had to be on hand to save a good effort from Lawnswood. As the final whistle went, shockwaves were being sent around the Goals community as Meanwood had returned to their former glory. As Meanwood kicked off for the second half, they knew that they were on the verge of starting their revival. However it was a still a close contest and Lawnswood were determined to maintain their title ambitions. Lawnswood went immediately on the attack in order to try and force an equaliser but they were cut off by a resilient defence lead by Anthony Mckieth. Mckieth was also counter attacking at a frightening pace and weaving his way past Lawnswood at ease and it was no surprise when Mckieth put Meanwood even further in front when he broke forward and scooped the ball into the back of the net. The flash defender hasn't lost any of his fancy touches or techniques. Meanwood were in the drivers seat but could they keep control of the bus that used to drive itself. They couldn't, their youthful legs may have been over running Lawnswood but their inexperience proved costly as Lawnswood were allowed back into the match when some sloppy defending allowed a rebounded shot to be sent home to put Lawnswood within touching distance with the score now 3-2. Meanwood tried to increase their lead but Bissitt was knackered and finding it difficult to chase down loose balls. Lawnswood then pressurised the Meanwood defence but Ayden Fertug was at hand to save once more. Meanwood almost increased their lead when a powerful shot from Gafa sailed just wide…Gafa needs a bit of luck in the scoring department and the little man from Hartlepool just isn't getting it. Meanwood were then punished for not adding to their lead when Lawnswood counter attacked and sent a through ball to an unmarked player who then slotted home to grab an undeserved equaliser. With less than six minutes remaining, Meanwood's had once against been damaged by the sick curse of luck. Not to worry because Meanwood have one man more lethal and powerful than any machine…BISSITT! Bissitt put Meanwood back in front when he exploited a defensive mix up and cannoned a shot into the back of the net to put Meanwood 4-3 up. All Meanwood needed to do now was not concede. As Lawnswood tried to equalise, Gafa bravely blocked a shot that hit him in the wrong place and knocked the stuffing out of him. For the remainder of the match, Meanwood calmly kept possession and after one of the longest last five minutes in history…the referee blew his whistle and ended the match and Meanwood's nightmare start to the season was now behind them. Man Of The Match- Richard Bissitt Not only did he grab the winning goal but he also worked extremely hard. A top effort from Meanwood's in form striker. Bissitt is a perfect example of how shielding the ball and turning players can pay dividends towards success. Bissitt was a pain in the backside for Lawnswood all night and deserved to have scored more. This is Bissitt's best performance of the season so far. Outstanding. Conclusion At last, Meanwood have finally won a match. I can't believe I'm saying that so late in the season. Today, Meanwood were almost back to their best and they looked organised at the back and in going forward. Meanwood were up against a very good side and were unlucky not to win by a few more. If Meanwood play like this for the rest of the season then there's no reason why they can't march up the league. Next up is In It For The Kick, another team that has underachieved so far this season.