Unfortunately the 4s league campaign continues to stutter as they were beaten by the better side on Saturday. Turning up to the pitch 10 minutes before ko with 9 players is never ideal preparation and it showed as the match got underway. Old Magdelanians were by far the better team, moving the ball around well and enjoying all of the territory. As the half moved on Meads did start to settle and did show themselves to be more than a pushover without ever really pressing the opposition.
Our lack of balance, however, started to show and players were often found out of position, which gave Old Mags spaces to exploit as well as giving Meads no shape going forward. There was little to note in the first half with Mags having most of the play but without really threatening Jakes goal. They played a territory game, hitting the front man early and hoping he made something of it. Meads were continually forced to hit the ball out deep in their half which invited pressure on to them. This pressure eventually told when a harmless cross was unfortunately misjudged by Ronnie and he sliced the ball and the ball went across the six yard box for their No 10, who had ghosted in around the back of Matt, to poke home from a couple of yards.
No 10 was going to come back to the fore once more when he had a run in with Damo. A little 5 minute running altercation was ended when Damo, after another argument, decided to have a swing; his punch to the back of the head was thrown when he was surounded by the whole mags defence. As Damo was restrained No 10 got his revenge with a nice jab to the right eye, which was to swell up more and more as the game went on. A melee ensued but nothing more was to happen as both sets of players calmed the situation. The referee had no idea what happened, at least he said that as he most probably just bottled it, and let the game go on with no action.
Half ended 1-0, with Meads still actually in the game. Rory had had a good first half for the 4s and Sam was doing his utmost to keep Old Mags at bay, one challenge springs to mind when a miscommuniacation allowed their striker through on goal but Sam recovered superbly with a sliding tackle right out of the top drawer.
The second half started and was disjointed with no team really doing much offensively. Unfortunately another mistake was to let Old Mags seal the deal when their tall striker was left one on one and he rounded Jake to put the ball in the empty net, 2-0.
Meads had chances to put Old Mags under pressure but decision making in the final third left a lot to be desired, as the game became stretched Old Mags continued to play football as Meads started hitting the ball in the air to George, this however played to Mags strengths as their defence was wholly dominant in that area. Meads did not play simple football or release the ball quick enough when in possession and this always took the pace out of any attack. Old Mags sealed the deal in stoppage time when a deflected cross fell to their sub to hit home from a couple of yards. 3-0. final whistle
We continue to talk about the same things each week but fail to really deliver it on the pitch. If Meads are to get out of this mire then they quite simply need to go back to basics; working hard and supporting eachother at both ends of the pitch. The ball needs to be moved quickly and simply to move the opposition around and movement needs ton improve drastically at the top end of the pitch. We have one more game this year in the cup, which will define the rest of our season, lets not let it pass us by...
