Wake Up Call !!

Following the opening sparring by both sides it became apparent that Bearsted might be the side likely to take control throughout the first half.

This indeed proved to be the case with their more precise passing game creating several early chances for the home defence and although having the prescience of their skipper James Holder and the efficiency of full backs Tashan Nicholas and Duwayne Morris they really had to thank goal keeper Jamie Brinkley for preventing his side going behind.

First saving from Miles Cornwell and then a point blank save from Ashley Russell. At the other end Meridian’s opportunities were sparse with possibly their best chance coming when Darrell Francis flashed a tight header just wide of the post.

The breakthrough though did finally come after 35 minutes when a shot from Michael Holiday came back into the path of Russell to fire home from close range. As the half wore on it looked likely that the score may be increased and it might well have done had it not been for Jamie Brinkley once more denying Russell from increasing his tally with a couple of smart saves towards the end of the half.

However right on the stroke of half time an equaliser did come following a break down the left by Ojo, the result of which seeing Dean MacDonald upended by Andy Hart for the referee to award a penalty, which in turn allowed the same striker to step up and score from the spot to set up a potential tight second half.

This indeed proved to be the case with the hosts adopting a more direct approach seeking out the pace of Ojo and MacDonald which on two occasions required both the swift intervention of defender Hart and a great save from Scott Andrews in order of keeping the scoreline intact.

Bearsted at the same time did have their moments with particular success coming by the wing raids of Mike Cook and Tom Brown. However with the clock running down and a dark cloud overhead this seemed to signal a brighter spell for the visitors as they once more went in front when a right wing free kick from Holiday was headed across goal by Russell for Peter Williams to head home at the far post on 69 minutes.

Following on soon after the game was effectively won when the Bears went further in front when a left wing corner by Steve Elliot somehow found it's way directly into the net eluding a posse of home defenders on the line. However the game was finally put beyond all doubt when the deflection of a deep ball into the box created some defensive confusion which allowed 17 year old substitute Jack Perryman to steal in and score past the advancing Brinkley giving the young striker great elation in bringing the game to a final conclusion.