Slowest League Start in Decade For Old Meads

Amateur Football Combination Premier Division Albanian 3 Old Meadonians 2

Old Meadonians achieved their slowest league start in ten years, one point out of a possible twelve, when, with just seven minutes on the clock, Saturday’s hosts Albanian, came from behind to snatch the spoils somewhat fortuitously.

With five reserve team players plugging gaps left by retreating walking wounded squad members, Meads showed the first signs of resilience and resolve by taking the lead on twenty minutes.

An early deadlock, where honours were evenly divided, was broken by Pete Lovell in his first start of the season: His through ball was brilliantly converted by the ever alert, versatile and inventive Leon Smith who, by taking the ball early, twenty yards out, as it was just passing him, had it in the net before he could be closed or the keeper could narrow the angle.

Albanian’s equaliser was not long in coming and was courtesy of an ill-advised foray up field which invitation to counter down the centre was duly accepted. Five minutes before half time Meads were back in the lead when Smith’s clever cross left a back- pedalling defender no alternative but to put it into his own net.

The second half saw the visitors, for the most part, quite capable of defending their lead whilst not being able to give themselves the comfort of a two goal cushion. It was sod’s law therefore for them to see the hosts level with a stunning volley from a marauding wing back and then more unluckily to have two extra points snaffled with a scuffed shot from twelve yards which spooned the ball over Meads’ astonished keeper Shannon Toyne.

For Meads’ beleaguered management there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as the prospect of three new signings looms.

Team: Toyne, Graham, Pointer, Pilcher, Nicholas, Lloyd, Lovell, McGuinness, (Latimer), Glover, L.Smith, Daniels.

October 7, 2008