Meads in control in the league

Amateur Football Combination Old Meadonians 2 Old Hamptonians 0

Old Meadonians, back on the league trail after three successive cup games, withstood a spirited attempt by visitors to Riverside Lands, Old Hamptonians to reverse a tide which had been against them for the previous five clashes between these clubs during which they had failed to score.

Saturday was no different. Meads’ defence, without wing-back Dan Salanson and centre- back Dave Butler out injured, and shored up by the inclusion of former skipper Dermot Jordan, out of the squad for eighteen months, kept their record in tact with a towering display by centre-back Brian Hanley, aided by an excellent performance from second team keeper Dave Needham.

Early exchanges were even with the hosts shading matters but only half chances coming their way. On the half hour however, the third of a series of three corners swung across by skipper Jack Costello swerved past the keeper for Kevin Quinn, up front for the day, to power in a far post header. A ten minute power play to half-time saw the visitors give Meads’ defence a searching investigation without return.

The second half opened as the first but on fifteen minutes Hampton lost one of their strikers and that virtually signalled the end of their challenge. With fifteen minutes to go Meads’ top scorer Colin Hawkins, whose pace had been a threat throughout, took on his marker on the left and, feinting to swing wide, cut back inside to hammer a low shot into the far corner from twenty five yards.

Team: Needham, Jordan, Hanley, Williamson, Costello, (Rhone), Kearney, Pointon, (Glover), Bond, McGuinness, Hawkins, Quinn.

If you feel you would like to be a member of this progressive and friendly club why not visit their website www.omfc.co.uk

David Stanners

January 27, 2005