Maybe it was the unknown quality of the opposition (this was the first time we had played this team) or maybe the unusual mix of players turning out for Meadhurst but anyway we started brightly with the entire team working a little harder than normal from the first whistle. As a consequence we dominated the first half with everyone showing for the ball and chasing back on defence. Highfield were restricted to early ball's forward as soon as their midfield had possession. It seems that they usually have some quick forwards - but since they didn't turn up on the day Highfield might usefully have considered a change in tactics. Despite having the game under control we never really looked likely to score and 0-0 at half time looked depressingly inevitable.

Nevertheless 1 goal looked likely to settle it and we were confident that if anyone scored it would be us. So despite losing Ted to a pulled muscle and Fred to the referee job vacated by John Lovegrove we started the second half confidently enough and 20 mins later Gary shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat their useful  (but stand in) keeper. This looked like enough to win the game but they changed formation and pushed players forward to chase the game. We coped well enough and a cross from the right towards John Lovegrove's deadly head forced them to concede an own goal out of fear. 2-0 really should have settled it but the earlier exertions told and we started to run out of puff. We had trouble keeping possession up front but Glen keep them at bay with a series of excellent saves as he was exposed time and again to forwards running free but we finally conceded first one (Glen got a hand to it but it spun in of the post) and finally (and very disappointingly) a free header at the far post that gave Glen no chance. 

Not a bad game, we could have put it beyond them in the first 70 mins with a little more penetration in the final third but more power to them for pacing the game nicely and finishing stronger despite going 2-0 down.

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Last modified: January 15, 2002