Meanwood Prove To Be The Real Superstars

After the demolition job of Real Oriental, Meanwood seemed more than capable of regaining their form and closing the season strongly after a mid-season rot. Unfortunately, Omar Superstars stood in Meanwood's way…a team that Meanwood had lost to on the two occasions they have met. During this season Omar Superstars have comfortably beat most teams that have stood in their way and are battling it out for the championship. At this stage in the season, the championship should have all but been won for them. However, last week saw them stumble against Paul Redfearn as they failed to field their strongest side due to injuries. Meanwood were far from pleased with this as it had given their rivals for third place an unexpected victory. To make matters worse for Meanwood, Omar's star players had recovered and they were able to field their strongest team. Would Meanwood be able to compete with the champions' elite or would they suffer another defeat? For Meanwood it was a case as "same again" as they fielded an identical team and formation to the one that beat Real Oriental 16-5 with Ayden Fertug in net, Anthony Mckieth, Richard Bissitt and Woody in defence and Gafa up front playing the role of the holding striker. As Omar Superstars had a full squad to choose from, they were able to field a team that had never lost this season while playing together. Omar Superstars seemed very confident of maintaining their title credentials. Omar Superstars kicked off and went on the attack immediately. However, they were quickly stopped by a stubborn Meanwood defence. Meanwood then had an opportunity to score when Gafa broke forward down the right wing and found Bissitt who managed to test the keeper. Omar then went on the attack again but Woody was an unmovable obstacle at the back and sorted out their attack efficiently. Omar were getting frustrated as they were failing break Meanwood down and were been allowed little time on the ball, thus they resulted to long shots which were all comfortably saved by an in form Ayden Fertug. Meanwood then went on the attack with Gafa down the wing yet again. However, he was stopped by Omar's ginger defender who then proceeded to intimidate Gafa by pushing and hitting him. Gafa reacted by pushing him away and both players received a final warning. Anyway more misbehaviour and both players would get an instant red card and a £34 fine. Meanwood then went on the attack once again as Mckieth wormed his way through and squeezed the ball to Bissitt who was unlucky not to score. Gafa then took advantage of a defensive mistake and managed to intercept a pass with a first time shot. Unfortunately, Omar's keeper managed to get down early and save the ball. Omar then began counter attacking Meanwood and managed to get some shots on goal. However, Ayden Fertug was refusing to let anything past him and saved Meanwood from going a goal down. Meanwood then managed to take the lead themselves after Bissitt played a difficult through ball to perfection which found Gafa who placed the ball into the back of the net to shock Omar and make the score 1-0. Omar then went on the attack as they sought after an equaliser and sent numerous shots goal bound. However, Ayden Fertug saved them all with his usual style and ease. Ayden Fertug was having a great game and Omar were getting frustrated with him. Omar weren't only just getting frustrated with Ayden, they were beginning to get frustrated with the whole Meanwood team as their organisation, marking and defending skills were making it difficult for Omar to get into the game. Meanwood then stunned Omar into silence when Gafa started an other attack down the wing that was finished by Bissitt. In fact, finished brilliantly by Bissitt as he smashed the ball into the top corner of the net leaving the keeper stranded, speechless and gutted. Meanwood were performing like champions and almost added a third when both Woody and Mckieth had strong efforts on goal. Meanwhile, Ayden was still not letting anything past him and pulled off a stunning finger tip save just before half time to keep the score 2-0 to Meanwood. During the half time break, Omar's players were discussing just how to cope with this superb Meanwood performance. As Gafa kick started the second half, the Meanwood team knew that they were on the verge of causing a huge upset and restarting their hunt for third place. However, Omar were not prepared to lie down and lose as they had a title challenge to maintain and attacked Meanwood from the off. Omar's ginger defender was over-powering every Meanwood player and was beginning to muscle his way round the pitch. However, Meanwood's defenders were getting their foot in at the right time and were preventing him from causing too much danger. Unfortunately, Omar Superstars had plenty of fresh legs to bring on in contrast to Meanwood who had no subs and were suffering a tiny bit from fatigue. However, Meanwood's lack of subs proved to be of an advantage as the team were completely gelled and undisrupted, which in turn allowed Meanwood to pass the ball around and keep possession. Anthony Mckieth was becoming a real nuisance for Omar and he almost scored after breaking forward. Mckieth's terrific playmaking skills were becoming a priceless asset for Meanwood and almost paid dividends when he sent Gafa down the wing who sent a rocket towards goal that hit the post. Omar were counting their blessings and went in search of a comeback. Omar's Geordie midfielder managed to get round the Meanwood defence and send a shot goal bound. However, Ayden Fertug was on hand to make a spectacular save. Meanwood then counter attacked through Mckieth who set Woody up for a long distance shot that sailed into the bottom left hand corner. Another good goal from a defender who is beginning to have a reputation for driving powerful shots into the back of the net. Omar then tried to get themselves back into the match but they struggled to get past a strong Meanwood defence yet again. Gafa then had another effort that hit the post after another attack down the wing. Meanwhile, Woody squashed Omar's ginger defender to gain revenge for some previous out-muscling. Bissitt and Mckieth were also helping out in attack and were unlucky not to add to Meanwood's lead. Then disaster struck as Omar managed to pull a goal back when Omar's ginger defender broke forward and slotted home. Then moments later, the referee controversially gave Omar a penalty when Mckieth was adjudged to have kicked the ball inside the penalty area. The referee had now awarded Meanwood's opposition a penalty in the last four games that he had refereed. Tension mounted as Omar stepped up to confidently take the penalty. Omar complained that Ayden Fertug was not on his line until they realised that there wasn't one. Ayden Fertug proceeded to wobble his legs in order to put off his opponent. The penalty was powerfully shot to the left hand side. However, Ayden Fertug dived at full length and kept Omar at bay to save his first ever penalty. Ayden- the invincible. Meanwood then defended for the rest of the game and looked comfortable until Omar broke through with thirty seconds remaining to make the score 3-2. Meanwood then went on the attack and Gafa had a one on one with the keeper and almost put the match beyond reach. However, Omar's keeper saved to give his team a small chance of getting something out of the game. As Omar's keeper rolled the ball out for one final attack the whistle went and Meanwood had won 3-2. A result that puts Meanwood back in the hunt for third place. Ayden Fertug is perhaps the best keeper in the Mens League, in any league. Ayden has tremendous agility and can save almost any shot. If Ayden had have saved some of the shots that he did today in the Premiership then they'd be broadcasted all over the world and that is by no means an exaggeration. Ayden definitely has the ability to play at a much higher level and if you don't believe us then watch him in action- he is that good. His penalty save was legendary and will go down in the Meanwood history books forever. Ayden Fertug is a gift from god. Man Of The Match- Ayden Fertug Other than Ayden, every player should be extremely proud of themselves. Everybody worked hard for the ball and did their job, Meanwood set out with a plan and every player was extremely well organised and disciplined. A team effort as always but one that was outstanding. Conclusion Forget about third place, Meanwood's performance is all that matters. They completely controlled a team that is likely to win this league. Yes the score was 3-2 but that score line flatters Omar Superstars- a lot. Omar Superstars could not break down an extremely stubborn Meanwood defence and it was only when fatigue crept in that they began to get near goal. They resorted to long-range shots and they were always going to be saved by Ayden Fertug no matter how good they were. Meanwood were patient in front of goal. They didn't need to attack so they didn't; instead they held the ball up and waited for the right moment. If Meanwood can play as good as this every week then they will walk the league next season - blindfolded. Meanwood are back and back with a bang. As for Omar, they will more than likely win this league as they are far too strong for everybody else other than Meanwood.