OLD MEADONIANS FOOTBALL CLUB 2012-2013 SEASON

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Meads Start Season with an Away Draw

Old Meadonians 3 Old Aloysians 3

Old Meadonians began their league campaign away to Old Aloysians at Highgate with a repeat of the 3-3 draw which was the result these sides achieved in a scrappy pre-season friendly. With co-manager Paul Rumley on a belated scouting trip Rory Vermeulen had the trying job of instituting the ‘rolling sub’ regime the Amateur Football Combination have been requested to trial by the Football Association this season.

Vermeulen’s first trying task was to marshal forces missing six senior squad members but with the sweetener of having experienced former Ryman star Ian Sawyer to slot in behind lone front runner Jeff Phillips, which was to prove a much needed bonus.

The first half was mostly uneventful with Meads shading the advantage, three chances going near, with Jeff Phillips cracking a twenty yard thunderbolt onto the underside of the bar, Sawyer pulling an excellent save from the home keeper from the same range and Ed Glover heading just wide.

In reply Aloysians mustered a solitary break which was snuffed out by left back Kevin Quinn.

The second half was a sea-saw of six tit for tat goals as Meads managed to concede soft goals to match the fruit of their honest endeavour.

On the hour the ball was given away in mid-field and although deputy keeper Simon Greening saved the initial shot the rebound was netted. Meads then took the lead through Glover and Andy Thompson only to be instantly hauled back.

When young pretender Matt Allen tucked away Sawyer’s cross at the far post, justice appeared imminent, only for Meads to succumb to a sucker punch in the dying seconds as a huge free-kick from well into home soil sailed over a flat pack defence with Greening picking the ball from the net to a whistled accompaniment. Vermeulen gave joint accolades to mid-fielders Will Gerrish and Dave Brennan and Ian Sawyer and Kevin Quinn.

As for rolling subs, ‘It was alright!’

Squad: Greening, Mace, Thompson, McCombe, Quinn, Glover, Gerrish, Brennan, Mantel, Sawyer, Phillips, Allen, Wilson, Graham.

 

September 13, 2012