Meanwood Prove To Be The Real Superstars

A Meanwood revival seemed on the cards after two impressive performances against Real Oriental and Omar Superstars, Meanwood had stepped up a gear and were quickly closing down on third place. Paul Redfearn on the other hand had won three of their last four matches and were determined to win what has been dubbed "The Battle for Third Place". A win for Meanwood would guarantee them at least joint third; a loss on the other hand would see them slip to fifth. All was to play for and tensions were high as the battle for third commenced… Meanwood fielded the same team as the previous two weeks with Aydan Fertug in net, Anthony Mckieth, Daniel Woodward and Richard Bissitt in defence and Daniel Gafa-Gaunt playing the position of lone striker. Paul Redfearn fielded a full strength team, a team that had previously beaten Meanwood 3-1 earlier on in the season and were confident of maintaining third place. Meanwood's fan base had returned to some extent with former Pool's Wonders' player Yogesh Nakeshree taking a special interest in the match as well as another referee. Would Meanwood be able to impress its spectators? Meanwood started the match confidently and sat back in order to hit Paul Redfearn on the counter attack. Paul Redfearn immediately attacked in order to try and open the scoring. However, they struggled to get past a Meanwood back three, especially Richard Bissitt who was sending them flying with his superior strength. Paul Redfearn argued that the referee should limit Bissitt's use of strength. However, the referee was having none of it and continued to referee the match under his own ruling. As Paul Redfearn continued to attack, Meanwood began to counter attack and this paid dividends when Anthony Mckieth wormed his way through the Redfearn defence and slotted home to give Meanwood the lead. Although Meanwood were in the lead, there was still an air of caution as they had opened the scoring up before against Redfearn and lost 3-1. However, Meanwood started to perform more confidently, kept possession and wowed spectators with their immense movement and passing ability. It was only a matter of time before Meanwood added a second when Bissitt did a skilful step-over and drilled the ball home despite huge protests from Paul Redfearn who claimed that Gafa had been holding them back. However, the referee refused to believe Redfearn's fictional complaints and allowed the goal to stand. Meanwood were starting to dominate the match as their opponents struggled with the pace of the game and introduced more and more substitutions. Meanwood then added a third when Woody sent an impressive shot past a despairing keeper. Another goal from the natural goalscoring defender. Woody's goal sent alarm bells ringing for Paul Redfearn as they mounted an impressive comeback and pulled one back less than thirty seconds later after they sent a blockbuster towards goal. Paul Redfearn almost pulled another back when their striker sent a shot goal bound. However, it was no match for an impressive Aydan Fertug who saved comfortably. Paul Redfearn's revival was then dealt a major set back when Woody broke forward once again and scored his sixth goal in three games with another powerful shot. Meanwood seemed to be back in control and kept possession until they lost the ball to Paul Redfearn's striker who fired home to pull one back and make the score 4-2. The next five minutes saw both teams struggle to add to their totals until Gafa exploited space down the wing and sent an effort that went in off the keeper to add to Meanwood's total just before half time. As the whistle sounded for half time, Meanwood knew that they were still on target for third place. Paul Redfearn knew that third place was under threat from both Meanwood and Kelly's Heroes. They also knew that their superior experience to Meanwood was letting them down and that they were being out played and over powered by a team that was a good six years younger than their youngest player. The real Meanwood had returned and Paul Redfearn knew that they had no clear way of stopping them. However, they were going to give it a bloody good try. Paul Redfearn set out to attack Meanwood from the off and they forced several world-class saves from Aydan Fertug early on. However it was Meanwood who managed to keep possession and frustrate their opponents even more. Arguments with the referee couldn't hide the fact that Meanwood looked like the more experienced team. In fact it was Meanwood who almost extended their total early on when Woody sent a shot that ricocheted off the post. Meanwood then mounted pressure with Bissitt and Woody venturing forward and Gafa exploited the wing. However, these attacks came to nothing. Meanwhile, Mckieth was sat at the back and made sure that Meanwood were organised in defence. Unfortunately, Mckieth's organisation could not prevent Paul Redfearn from snatching a third when they ironically counter attacked Meanwood and took advantage of a two on one situation. However, Meanwood were not down heartened and refused to panic as they continued to play their own game. Meanwood then had several chances to extend their lead when Bissitt sent a powerful shot that was just saved by Redfearn's keeper. Woody also broke forward and hit the post for the second time in the match. However, Meanwood weren't to be denied for too long and Gafa slotted home from just outside the penalty area. A Paul Redfearn player then tried to push Gafa in the area in order to get Meanwood's goal disallowed. However, the referee refused to accept Paul Redfearn's strong appeals and gave all of its argumentive players final warnings. For the remainder of the match Meanwood tried to extend their lead with efforts from Mckieth, Woody and Bissitt. However, these came to no avail. Paul Redfearn then proceeded to try and make one last ditch attempt. However, Aydan Fertug was letting nothing past him and even saved a shot with his face, which left him feeling dizzy. However, Paul Redfearn did pull one back with the last kick of the match but it was too little too late as Meanwood won 6-4 and climbed to third on goal difference. Man Of The Match- Aydan Fertug again… Aydan Fertug became the official man of the match for the second week in a row. Is it any wonder why when he performs this good? Some of the saves Aydan has made recently have been breathtaking to say the least and Aydan is becoming a vital part in Meanwood's battle for third place. Meanwood are conceding very few goals at the moment due to his consistent goal stopping ability. Aydan is quite simply the best keeper at Goals bar none and he knows it, as does everybody else. Superb! Conclusion Meanwood are on a roll and have now won three on the trot at the right time. Meanwood were pretty good today and always looked comfortable and out classed their fellow third place rivals. In the last five matches alone, they have drawn against the team in first, beaten the team in second and comfortably beaten a team battling it out for third as well as handing out a 16 goal drubbing to a team in the lower reaches of the table. Results like those give every indication that Meanwood have the potential to win their next two matches and finish third this season and win the majority of their matches and finish first next season. Unfortunately, none of the other results this week went Meanwood's way as Grampa's 8 my Hampster earned a late draw against Omar Superstars and Kelly's Heroes scraped past Real Oriental, a team that has recovered well since receiving a 16-5 hammering from Meanwood. Results may not have gone Meanwood's way but the table certainly has as Meanwood are now in third due to goal difference. Next up for Meanwood is another "Battle for Third Place" clash against Grampa's 8 my Hampster. Will Meanwood win and be in pole position for third place on the last day of the season or will they have a mountain to climb. All will be revealed next week.