Already relegated Old Challoners came to Meads on Saturday with nothing to lose and they played like it and took away a deserved three points from the game, winning comfortably in the end, 4-1. Things could have been a lot different had Meads converted one of their numerous chances, but if you don’t put away your chances, you cannot claim superiority.
The game started slowly for Meads who allowed Old Challoners to play their game, which to be fair to them was a nice passing game. If put under pressure though their defence were giving away chances high up the pitch. One problem Meads had was that there were many players suffering from various ailments; some were long term injuries coming back, some were self-inflicted and some were simply bad luck. In either case, Meads were not really at the races early on.
Despite a lack of coherence, Meads had chances to take the lead from two set pieces. The first was when a corner was allowed to drop to waist height on the edge of the six yard box and Jon met it with a volley. Unfortunately, as he opened up his body, his volley skewed over the bar from a matter of yards and scores remained level. Another header fell to Kev at the back post but he could not get enough purchase on the header and the ball glanced wide from the back post.
Playing on a small pitch, Meads were guilty of playing the ball through to Challoners keeper on numerous occasions, allowing him to mop up and redistribute up the pitch. Challoners had had very few chances, despite their general control of possession when they took the lead in fortunate circumstances. On the right hand side from a tight angle their player went to hit the ball into the box but it went off the outside of his boot and started steering alarmingly towards the back post. Unfortunately for Selwyn, the ball sailed over his head and into the far top corner. 1-0.
Just before half time, George was put through and a chance to equalise when one on one with the keeper. Dan Jacobs was screaming for it square for a tap in. No one can say whether George was right to shot or he should have squared it as it is impossible to know exactly what the situation was, either way the ball didn’t end up in the back of the net, and it remained 1-0 at half time.
2nd half was not much better for Meads, who didn’t create many chances until the game was done. Challoners got their 2nd when a miscommunication led to their striker nipping in and crossing towards an unguarded goal for a midfielder to come and smash the ball home. A third came from a clearance that managed to go backwards and their striker poked the ball past the onrushing keeper, before a set piece evaded the defence and their striker lobbed Selwyn to make it 4-0.
How that all happened is slightly beyond me, they played quickly when they had the ball and had some pace up front which manoeuvred our defence around, but we should never have found ourselves 4-0 down. George got a consolation when their keeper dropped it after he put him under pressure and there was time for Dave to miss a glorious chance after a nice first touch put him clear of the defence in the box, but his right footed shot went higher than he has ever kicked a ball from 5 yards out.
The situation remains precarious after a game that should have perhaps been taken more seriously by the players was allowed to slip by. This leaves the scenario as 2 wins from 4 to remain in the division with one game against the unbeaten league leaders. Next week takes on huge importance and we must make sure we are ready to start right from the off and get the three points that we badly need.
