Old Meads Keep Their Heads

Amateur Football Combination Premier Division: Old Meadonians 2 Old Salvatorians 0

By virtue of the simple expedient, expounded by Kipling, of keeping their heads while those around them lost theirs, Old Meadonians leapt to the top of the Premier Division of the Amateur Football Combination with a steadfast performance in repelling a feisty challenge from visitors to Riverside Lands, Old Salvatorians. Although Meads are only top on goall difference they have two games in hand on erstwhile leaders Old Suttonians whom they beat in a six pointer last week and the danger comes from Old Minchendenians and Old Hamptonians, lurking way below, but with healthy caches of games in hand from extended cup runs coupled with postponements.

This week with Aidan Chapman in for Matt Britner carrying a niggle, there was nothing fortuitous about the result as the hosts’ defence kept their goals conceded down to one per league match. Salvos did come out of the blocks quickly but were just as speedily introduced to frustration and counter attacks with Meads hogging possession for huge chunks of the time but only creating half chances. Half time instructions delivered soto-voce by manager Luke Graham were for patience which would bring rewards. And true to this prophesy, Meads’ first came on the hour when a Chapman long throw was nodded on by flying sub Ed Glover for Nick Wilson to force the ball over the line for his seventh of the campaign. A brief mini-pusch by the visitors was repulsed for normal service to be resumed and the hosts to put clear water between them and pursuit. With fifteen minutes to go Wilson burst through and when his shot was blocked by the keeper just as Ryan Bright was going to mop up the rebound he was floored by the keeper but got up to notch his third in as many games from the spot.

Squad: Robinson, Costello, Chapman, Gerrish, Cain, N. Jones (Glover), Gowers, Bright, C. Jones, Wilson, Richardson (Mace), sub unused, Britner.

February 2, 2016