Old Challoners V Old Meadonians IIIs
Saturday 15 January

Team: Van Nistelgoalie, Foster, Lord, Croker, Lancaster, Daw, Bevins, Dann, Rae, Fitch, Thomas. Subs: Bevins R & Cawley

Score: 0:1
Scorers:

Looking to continue to put pressure on the leaders Brent we faced stiff opposition this week in the form of Old Meadonians III's. Having beaten them away earlier in the season Meads would be keen for revenge. We started very slowly and it was Meads who had the first chance but Van Nistelgoalie kept them at bay rushing from his line to snuff out the danger. Poor defending at a corner soon after nearly cost us again but this time the post came to our rescue.

After 15 minutes we started to control the play better and it was our turn to create the chances. Fitch volleyed over after a delicious pass from the creative left back, he again failed to find a finish having been put clear again down the inside left channel the uneven pitch proving an effective defender. Maker was able to tee up Dann after good work down the right from Daw but an excellent challenge saved the day. A feature of the half was that when we did get into good wide positions we were able to produce a better quality delivery than in previous weeks particularly from Ali and Dawsy. But for all our pressure we failed to take the lead and it was Meads who should have gone into the break one up but the opportunity was put wide.

The second half was a closer battle, with Challoners noticeably tiring the game became a little disjointed. Our ball retention at the back and into midfield was good but the old problem of not being able to find the right pass between defenders was all too evident. Meads front two started to come into the game more running in behind the full backs stretching our back four. It was from one of these runs that they scored the game's only goal shooting across Ruud into the far corner, Ruud admitted later that he should have done better but after having saved us on numerous occasions already this season nobody could point the finger. A long range effort from Dann, that was only a few inches over the bar and in the final minute a Daw header from a set piece our last real efforts on goal as we saw our 100% home record in the league stretching back 15 games disappear.

Man-Of-The-Match:
Foster, defended solidly not putting a foot wrong until he was asked to go forward from full back.

THE LANCASTER VERDICT:
An inability to create and then take chances is costing us dear, we must find more creativity and a ruthless streak.