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Match Report 2004/5 Meadhurst
Vets Home vs British Airways lost 2-1 Things
started well – the pitch had been mowed, it wasn’t raining and we had 15
players including an unexpected appearance by Dogga who expected to be working.
Meadhurst started with a 4-4-2 formation again and had the better of the opening
exchanges. BA struggled to make their passes count while Meadhurst caused
problems with Brian Smith up front being particularly active and Fozzy providing
width and some dangerous crosses. Nevertheless BA are a
capable, quick hardworking side and had the better chances as they broke through
twice, one on one with Colin, only to send lobed shots just high or just wide
and later saw a well struck shot rebound off the bar. Meadhurst had their
chances too with Dick Brockwell striking a fearsome 35 yard drive, which had it
been a yard either side of the keeper would have beaten him. Missing lobs was a
bit of theme with Brian Smith failing to capitalise on some good work to get one
on one with the BA keeper. 0-0 at half time was fair although BA could
have had some legitmate complaints at Jack’s idiosyncratic refereeing
decisions. Bringing Dogga and Nipper
on at half time should have tipped things in Meadhurst’s favour but instead BA
had some good pressure and one sharp break lead to the opening goal for BA. Jack
had probably Meadurst best chance of the game to nearly level the scores but was
denied by the keeper’s big toe. BA remained dangerous on the break as Meadurst
tried to push forward and scored again past a tiring defense. Hope flickered
briefly as Carl Driscol (playing a good game at full back) shot from wide on the
left to bring the game back to 2-1 and Meadhurst finished the game the stronger
side. While a draw would have been a reasonable result overall BA deserved to
edge the best gme of the season so far.
Match Report 2003/4
A much better game against BA. We switched this
home fixture to BA in the hope of finding a football pitch and were not
disappointed. We also found a very useful football team in residence and
Meadhurst had to play very well just to stay in the game for the first 15
minutes. Dene was the only regular forward and we opted for a 4-5-1 formation
to keep track of the rather talented BA midfield. Despite being pinned back
initially (we were playing uphill into the wind) the team managed to get
forward with increasing effectiveness and both sides created very good
chances. BA were frustrated by some great saves by Colin Rendell helped by the
woodwork and Meadhurst were frustrated by some dodgy finishing. A particularly
good move culminating in a Dick Brockwell cross from the right wing (!?) would
have seen Meadhurst take the lead had the open goal chance not fallen to
Rob Sage in the centre forward spot (!?). BA scored shortly afterwards
when a quickly taken free kick caught Meadhurst still discussing the rights
and wrongs of the decision. Meadhurst equalised when a peach of a cross from
Andy Keywood found Dogga at the far post who nodded it back into the centre. Dene created
enough confusion in the defence for the ball to find its way into the net.
Probably an own goal but Dene gets the credit.
The second half saw Meadhurst well on top with
Colin Rendell a spectator after the first half heroics. We hit the woodwork a
further 4 times ( a particularly fine strike from Carl Driscol deserved
better) and its hard to understand why we didn't equalise - but we didn't and
just before the final whistle a Meadhurst attack broke down (actually Andy
Keywood fell over near the BA corner flag - presumably a bit tired after
running all that way) BA broke upfield, and scored a rather scrappy goal to
run out 3-1 winners.
A good competitive game that everyone enjoyed.
Match Report 2002/3 Meadhurst Vets away vs British Airways - lost 7-2 Not as bad as it sounds in fact. BA put out a very good side - the forwards were a handful, the midfield were the best we've seen for a while and the defense sound. However the game revolved around some critical injuries to Meadhurst. The first 10 minutes were even enough. We had new boy Carl in the centre of midfield and put Mike Petch up front with returnee Tony Barber. This wasn't working too badly - Mike and Tony gave us some outlets and held the ball up in the BA half and Tony's pace gave the back four something to think about. So much so that he was cynically brought down on the edge of the box by a beaten BA full back, Andy Keywood drove the ball under a wall that turned its back and jumped, 1-0 to Meadhurst. BA responded and got a scrappy equalizer a few minutes later. While BA looked stronger Meadhurst had options and could have given BA some problems. Sadly injuries intervened: first Andy Keywood pulled a hamstring and while he was limping off Paul Cooper did something nasty to his calf. The timing was particularly bad as Dick had let a ball go to be collected by Paul who couldn't make it - giving the BA forward a simple goal. With Dick Brockwell still struggling with his bruised heel it looked like being a long game for Meadhurst. Dene, bless him, took up the goal keepers gloves and Meadhurst set about things. We continued to have some decent play in the BA half but the final ball or shot wasn't there and too often the play broke down with Meadhurst pushing men on. The BA midfield and forwards capitalised to put us under pressure and eventually scored a third goal 10 minutes before half time. Still playing with the wind in the second half Meadhurst still had hopes. BA grew in confidence and started to push extra men forward, putting further pressure on a stretched Meadhurst defense and pinning Meadhurst back. But throughout the game Meadhurst kept working and chasing and the 4th BA goal was rather fortuitous, a long range effort hit the cross bar and bounced off a turning Dene into the net. Meadhurst rallied and after a good attack that could have yielded a goal scored from the resulting corner. 4-2 to BA. At this point had Meadhurst had a full, fit side it might have been interesting. In fact BA kept stretching the game well and finally exposed the defense with some good crosses from the by line. Even Martin coming on as centre forward couldn't stem the tide (although he got close enough to ensure that Jack won't put him in as a forward again - I still haven't recovered from Martin's two goals against Spelthorne that won us the game). So 7-2 was a bit harsh but BA were definitely the better team. The return fixture will be interesting. Meadurst 4-4-2 Andy Keywood and Tony Barber scored for Meadhurst Paul Cooper (Dene Winch) Ken Gibson Richard Cozens Dick Brockwell Andy Keywood (Mike Dixon) Ian Foster Jack Frost Mike Petch Roy Partington Carl Discol (Martin Atkins) BA 4-4-2 moving to 3-4-3
Match Report 2001 A 3-1 loss Our keeper failed to show and we looked just like England against Greece - Match report to follow if I can bear to write it.
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