The 4s headed to the middle of effing nowhere to play Old Sedcopians on Saturday and would be disappointed not to come away with all three points after taking the lead with about 20 minutes to go. Unfortunately a great header from Luke Latimer was at the wrongend and as the ball sailed past Tim Castle Sedcopians had their equaliser with 5 minutes to go.
Meads started the game with the 10 men for the second time this season with Rash running late and Dave having to work. Despite the numerical disadvantage Meads started the game very well, moving the ball around nicely on an extremely heavy pitch. When Rash was ready he came on and linked up well with Luke and Tommy and Meads looked the more likely to open the scoring. Despite now having parity in players, Meads began to lose their early foothold and Sedcopians were beginning to find their feet.
With Joe and Matt starting the game at full back, the back four had a new look to it but the three Js were dealing with anything that Sedcopians threw at them with ease with Jon in particularly imperious form. The first half had few clear cut chances with a shot from Tommy partly blocked by the defender and a shot from George dealt with easily by the keeper. Tim was similarly untroubled with few chances for either side. George had justified the 'brick wall' moniker afforded to him by Luke with some heavy touches in the first half. Speculation after the match suggested that George had his mind on other things during the game, notably the backside of a young lady who he had bumped in to on the way to the game. The young lady, unnerved by the peerings of an older man as he shouted 'phwoar' across the street, quickly caught up with her dad and grasped his hand, probably holding it tighter than she had ever done before.
At half time Meads were unhappy with the first half's proceedings and things were shaken up a little with Matt going into central midfield with Neil going back to full back and Dave coming on at left back for Joe. The second half was similar to the first but Meads created a bit more going forward. George, with his mind now more focused on the game, pulled the ball back nicely for Matt who should have done better with his tame first time effort. Rash, now in has favoured right midfield position was getting in to the game and Tinashe was making headway down the left.
The breakthrough came after some good work by Geoge down the left; he cut across the box and was about to shoot when matt screamed for the square ball. George rolled the all across and it seemed as though matt would have a tap in, but the ball stopped up on the heavy pitch, giving the keeper time to come and shut the ball down but Matt was able to slide the ball past him into the bottom corner.
Sedcopians had hardly looked like scoring all game apart from one glaring miss during the half so meads were confident of holding out for a clean sheet and the three points. It proved correct that Sedcopians couldn't score, so Luke, in charitable mood, thought he would score for them as a header from a corner was miscued straight in to the top corner. It was really unfortunate for Luke who had had a good game in central midfield.
There was still to be time for a great chance with 3 minutes to go. Another great move down the left between Tinashe and Tommy, who was also excellent in central midfield, ended with Tommy playing Rash in one on one. Rash took the touch but saw his effort fly over the bar, they are still looking for the ball now i think. The final whistle blew moments later and Meads had let the three points slip away. That it twice now in 4 league games that a late goal against us has cost us points.
MOM went to Jonathan at the back, who was quality all day and, alongside Jermaine, put on a near faultless display. Next week the 4s are back in to cup action at home. With Sam's long awaited return from suspension and some other faces back the squad should once again be strong for a must win game. The league form will undoubtedly change in the coming weeks and it is with some certainty that i say that meads will soon start climbing the table towards the top.
