 |
|
|
 As Meanwood entered goals on a hot summers evening, they knew that they were about to face one of their toughest tasks. Roque Jnrs awaited Meanwood, a team that had won four on the trot and were currently top of the table. Roque Jnrs needed to beat Meanwood in order to stay top as news was filtering threw that Omar Superstars were beating Inter Mi Nan. Would Meanwood be able to help Omar regain first place?
Meanwood lined up with the usual five players in the form of Ayden Fertug, Daniel Woodward, Anthony Mckieth, Richard Bissitt and Daniel Gafa-Gaunt. Unfortunately, neither Dean Bell nor Alex Jones were in contention to play. As the temperature soared, Meanwood realised that they needed a sub in order to prevent fatigue. Thus, Tom Finn was drafted in. The classy defender had already played in the Mens League for other teams at both 5-a-side and 11-a-side level. Roque Jnrs lined up with a full strength team that were determined to hang on to first place.  The match started with both teams attacking from the start. Richard Bissitt sent a shot goal bound that was inches wide. This early opportunity served as a warning to Roque Jnrs who were quick to counter attack and almost scored when Neil missed a one on one after trying to chip the ball over Ayden Fertug. Roque Jnrs then started to show why they are fighting for the championships when they sent a few strong shots towards Fertug. However in return Fertug showed them why he is Meanwood's number 1 keeper and saved them comfortably. Meanwood then broke forward and almost scored when Woody's shot ricocheted off both posts. Meanwood were starting to control the match and this proved telling when Mckieth broke forward and placed the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net, despite Roque Jnrs efforts to pull him back. Meanwood were in the lead and could have added another when Gafa broke forward after a nice one two. However, Gafa fired over and his goal drought continued. Despite not scoring Gafa was being a nuisance and creating chances. However, Meanwood's failure to add a second proved telling when Roque Jnrs received some fortune when the referee accidentally tackled a Meanwood player as he tried to get out of the way. Unfortunately, the ball fell kindly to Roque Jnrs' Neil who scored to level the game. Meanwood were beginning to get the reputation as being the unluckiest team at goals, especially after conceding in that fashion. Let's hope luck evens out next season. To add insult to injury, Roque scored a second and took the lead against the run of play. However, Meanwood fought back and Gafa almost scored when he fired towards the bottom right hand corner. However, the keeper tipped it away to frustrate Gafa even more. Meanwhile, Tom Finn was proving to be a valuable member of the team as his organised display was making it difficult for Roque Jnrs to get a third. This allowed Meanwood to equalise when Richard Bissitt fired home giving the keeper no chance. Meanwood were proving to be a tough challenge for the division's supposedly best team. As the first half came to a close both teams were unable to find another break through. Meanwood had dominated most of the first half as they had the majority of the possession.
 Meanwood started the second half brightly as they went in search for goals. Meanwood had several efforts on target. Unfortunately, they were all saved by Roque's composed keeper. However, it didn't take Meanwood long to find an opening as Woody scored a stunning volley to put Meanwood in the lead. This wound Roque up as they went in search for an equaliser. However, Ayden Fertug was proving to be a difficult obstacle in front of goal. Roque were hoping for Ayden to hurt his wrist again in order to win by the same convincing score line and sent some powerful shots towards him. Fortunately for Meanwood, Ayden seems to have stronger wrists as of late. Meanwood then broke forward again when Anthony Mckieth managed to slot home to make the game 4-2. However, fatigue was creeping in and Meanwood were struggling to dominate as much as they were previously and this gave Roque an opportunity to test Ayden Fertug even more. However, it was Meanwood who scored the next goal when Gafa proved too fast for the Roque's defenders as he stormed down the right wing and coolly smashed the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. This goal seemed to give Gafa confidence and he spent the remainder of the match in menacing form. A pity it couldn't have come sooner. Roque had an extra sub than Meanwood and this proved telling as Meanwood's stamina dropped. Roque then managed to fire home and sent a shot goal bound that left Ayden Fertug helpless. Meanwood's players were then the victims of some x-rated fouls by Roque Jnrs' Neil who was extremely fortunate not to get sent off. Meanwood were then unlucky not score a sixth when Gafa had a goal disallowed after he was pushed in the area before he slotted home. This disallowed goal gave Roque an opportunity to get back into the match and Neil fired a stunner home to make the score 5-4. Meanwood then received some more misfortune when Roque scored an equaliser with less than 10 seconds remaining. It was a very harsh outcome for Meanwood who clearly deserved to win and now feel that they had thrown the last two games away in similar fashion.
Meanwood's Man Of The Match- Anthony Mckieth Mckieth is a man in form. Recently he has put in his best performances for the club. Today, he was creative and set up chances for his team-mates. He spear headed a majority of Meanwood attacks and linked up well with the rest of team. He scored another two goals and looks destined to become Meanwood's top scorer this season. He frustrated the Roque Jnrs players with his trickery, which became evident when they tried to injure him out of the game. Another good performance from Mckieth. A special mention should also go to Tom Finn who filled in brilliantly and cope easily with the offensive flair of Roque Jnrs. Conclusion Meanwood will see this as two extra points lost rather than one gained. They were in control of this tough encounter from the start up until the last five minutes where fatigue and nerves played a part. However, they should be pleased with their performance and they out-played a team who are fighting for the championship. Meanwood still have a good chance of achieving third as they are only two points behind third-placed Paul Redfearn. Meanwood move up to fourth on goal difference after a weakened Kelly's Heroes team lost 7-3 to Grampa's 8 my Hampster. Next up is a match against a much-improved Inter Mi Nan side who are looking for revenge after Meanwood hammered them 13-5 last time. |