Amateur Football Combination Premier Division

Old Ignatians 1 Old Meadonians 2

Having ten days off after their last fruitless match gave Old Meadonians enough breathing space to bring three of their ten injured players out of the sick bay to take them to Enfield last night to beat second from bottom Old Ignatians. This win places them one point behind table leaders Old Hamptonians who dropped two points last night, with one match in hand on them and with the Honourable Artillery Company lurking four points below in third place. Even so it was still a patchwork quilt of a team that the hosts had to face and Meads’ team spirit backed by some canny manipulation of the squad just about pulled them through.

Early pressure by the visitors paid dividends; on twenty minutes Aidan Chapman’s long throw was met by Jack Holmes’ head for Meads’ first. On the half hour came the visitors’ first tactical change as Jack Holmes came off for striker Alex Jones so that Holmes could be brought back later to provide cover for left side players Damian Reading ( lack of match fitness) and Kevin Quinn (carrying an injury).

Almost immediately appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears as John Shea was caught by the home keeper as the latter dived but only diverted the ball with his trailing foot and Meads had to be satisfied with a one goal lead at half time. Meads had the safety of a two goal lead ten minutes on when Dave Brennan’s in-swinging corner was headed in by Aidan Chapman.

However they continued to press and were unlucky not to add to their tally when sub Alex Jones crossed for John Shea’s shot to hit the side netting and the same player shaved the far post with a cross shot. Meads’ management praised Jack Holmes for proving himself to be a true utility man and gave John Shea the MoM award for his constant effort. Meads now have the prospect of being able to bring back a further three players for next Saturday’s game but to be sure of the championship they have to win their last three games.

Squad:- Robinson, O’Sullivan, Goode, Chapman, Mace, Gowers, Brennan, Gerrish, Reading, Holmes, Shea, A. Jones, Quinn.

April 30, 2015