Old Meads had the perfect opportunity to bounce back from cup disappointment when bottom of the table Old Isleworthians IIs visited Riverside Lands. Meads took the chance with both hands, putting 6 past their ragged opposition. The score could easily have been double figures given the amount of clear cut chances that were created. With the score only 1-0 at half time there was an air of 'here we go again' as Meads failed to make their complete dominance show, but a late flurry ensured the game had a more realistic scoreline by the end.
With a lot of regulars away, the team took on new shape this week, with some of the old heads in Fran Hoey and Neil Cooper making welcome comebacks, Joe 'ive been in thailand everybody' Willis coming down to the 4s to get rid of some of the cobwebs and Sam taking on an unfamiliar strikers role for the team. He has always insisted that given the chance he will score and he did not disappoint, scoring twice and creating two.
The game kicked off late, with Old Is wandering over to the pitch 15 minutes after the scheduled kick off time, but that allowed Meads to get straight at them from the off. The complete dominance was shown in the chances created. Andrew hit the post when the ball dropped to him after a set piece, Tommy saw his shot saved on to the bar and somone else hit the post but I cant remember who. Sam's pace was causing problems for the Old Is back four and his persistence paid off when a nice ball through the middle from Neil put Sam through, he got to the ball before the keeper and was then allowed to walk the ball into the empty net to put Meads 1-0 up. The only problem was that more goals did not come inside the first half. Meads had already hit the woodwork three times when Sam was left one on one by himself (a la George Vs Birkbeck) and once again the time and space afforded to him left him bewildered and his finish was dragged wide. Other chances were created and squandered and at half time the score was 1-0.
There was no need to panic despite the inability to kill off the game as Old Is were toothless in attack, unable to string together a number of passes and were unwilling to do the running for eachother. This allowed Meads to continue in the same vein as before half time, in complete control. The second goal 10 minutes in to the half when a nice low ball from the left hand side was turned in at the back post by Owen for a tap in. Im not entirely sure about the order but Sam then got his second of the day, finishing nicely down low at the near post, giving the keeper no chance. Owen got his second when his corner was returned to him and he was allowed to run into the area. He cut back onto his right when inside the box and finished powerfully in off the far post to make it 4-0.
With the scoreline more representative of the game so far, Meads were now looking to get a clean sheet. Unfortunately, a free kick was conceded on the edge of the area. The resulting free kick was struck nicely over the wall and past the diving Jake, low in the corner. Then a moment of madness from Joe 'Ive been in Thailand everybody' Willis decided to mix things up by giving the ball to their striker on the edge of the area, he accepted the gift and made it 4-2 with about 8 minuntes to go. Meads were insistent on the scoreline being more favourable and a nice move down the left, allowed Tommy time and space in the area, he coolly placed the ball past the keeper to make itn 5. There was still time for Owen to get his hattrick when a cross from Sam was handled in the area and Owen dispatched the pen to make it 6-2.
Final whistle blew minutes later and Meads ran out comfortable 6-2 winners, although it could have easily been 10. MOM was a three way split between central midfield stalwarts Kev and Neil who were excellent in the middle of the park and Andrew at centre back. Now we need to take this into next weeks cup quater final against Old Suttonians. Bring it on.
