Old Mead’s Depleted Squad Receives Further Blow

Football Result – Old Meadonians 4 Parkfield 2

League leaders Old Meadonians’ depleted squad, already with four key players out injured received a further devastating blow over the weekend.

Keeper Kris Sayers complained of wrist pain during the warm up on Saturday but played on after attention. After the match an x-ray revealed his wrist was fractured and will keep him out of service for six weeks.

Although Sayers could not be faulted for either of the goals conceded, he could be forgiven for not being his normal commanding self and this affected those around him. With the steadily prevailing wind visitors to Riverside Lands, Parkfield, were soon putting their hosts under pressure.

Meads for their part were adding to their woes and betraying their anxiety by giving away too many free kicks within striking distance of goal. One of these from twenty yards winged its way wind assisted into the top corner on twenty minutes. Meads levelled five minutes later thanks to Colin Hawkins’ curled free kick from just outside the area but otherwise had to be content with breakaways.

They soon found themselves behind again, however, as Sayers’ punched reply to a high ball rebounded off Alastair McCombe into the net. Just five minutes before halftime Meads were level again as Leon Smith produced one of his trade mark goals picking the ball up thirty yards out and speeding through to finish clinically.

The second half, without the wind in their faces was altogether easier for Meads who, with a workmanlike display were able to subdue any further aspirations the visitors might have.

With fifteen minutes to go Smith volleyed in Hawkins’ corner and Alex Hugh Jones sealed the result with a header in the last five. Colin Hawkins, coming back to match fitness in only his second start after an eight weeks lay-off, was named MoM.

Team: Sayers, Jordan, Hanley, McCombe, Lovell, (W.Gerrish), Hugh Jones, Pointer, (Rhone), Quinn, D.Gerrish, Hawkins, Smith.

January 18, 2007