The 4s made the lengthy trip up to leafy Amersham on Saturday and came back with all three points with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Matt and Roni either side of an Old Challoners penalty were enough for Meads to start the league season with a win.
After arriving in good time Meads were ready to fire out of the blocks and they duly delivered with some excellent football in the opening moments. The ball was being kept for long periods of time and the midfield was afforded the space to dictate the game. Playing on a big pitch Meads were comfortable in possession, moving the ball around with patience, waiting for the opportunites to arise. Meads scored from their first opportunity when a lengthy build up resulted in Ash playing a low ball across the box where Matt was on hand to finish at the near post with a prod over the keeper.
The goal didn't stop Meads from piling on the pressure with waves of attacks hitting the Old Challoners defence. The problem was that Meads were being slightly wasteful in the final third. Despite creating numerous goal scoring situations the keeper only had to make a couple of saves in the 1st half. One was from Matt after Ash played him through down the right channel but his shot from the edge of the box was straight at the keeper. The game was being completely controlled by Meads but, as with any game of football, there were still fires to be extinguished by the back four. Jon and Sam were solid at centre back and Dave was continuing his comeback from injury in fine style with another good performance from left back. Andy, MOM last week in a defensive midfield role, displayed his versatility by going back to his more accustomed right back berth and, as always, performed with distinction. Adam, the young recruit from pre season, was playing in his first competitve game for the 4s. Given he had just finished freshers week at uni and the sun was glaring, Adam performed admirably in the middle of the park, playing with a confidence that belied his years.
The first half finished with Meads in complete control but we were also aware of the precarious nature of a 1-0 lead. The second half began poorly for Meads, perhaps the foot came slightly of the gas after a surprisingly easy first half. To their credit Challoners started to play with a bit more intensity and a half time substitution helped their cause. Despite the slow start to the second half, Scott's goal was still fairly untroubled, only being called into action to sweep up.
Playing football the way we do brings with it some dangers as we stay committed to trying to pass our way out of trouble. On Saturday this was to prove the only chink in our army after some over complication at the back finished with a soft back pass to Scott. Scott bundled over their striker and the pen was awarded and dispatched, 1-1 with 20 minutes left.
The game really opened up with Meads creating numerous chances to get the winner but, as with the first half, the finishes were not matching the superb build up play. Sam began to maraud forward and played a one two with Owen and then Matt, which resulted in a chance being created as he latched onto a low cross in the box but his crisp left foot shot went just wide. The goal finally came when a scuffed shot from Ash fell kindly to Roni and his deflected shot went past the keeper and into the bottom corner.. 2-1 with only ten minutes left. There were still chances created but Meads didn't finish it off and they played out the remaining minutes in the same way as the rest of the game, in complete control.
A great team performance, Kev, Owen and Adam dovetailed excellently in midfield, with thier movement, especially in the first half, giving the Challoners midfield the run around. Roni held the ball up with his usual aggression, bringing players in to the game and Ash had another excellent game on the left. MOM went to Matt.
