Cup Exit at first Hurdle!

Boyed on from the last weeks win Meridian came into this game with several injuries but never the less were positive against their opponents Hollands & Blair FC in the Kent Invicta League Cup.

The elements were not the best it must be stated as the playing surface was below par and not the expected grade in the Kent Invicta League.

Meridian started well enough with the opponents very cautious until the 12 minute when Meridian conceded a corner. The resulting in swinging ball helped on by the cross wind came in at the front post and a terrible error by the goalkeeper made it 1-0.

Meridian disappointed with the hard work pushed for the equaliser and created several chances but awareness and finishing were lacking.

Blair were composed on the ball and eventually got their break yet again with a sweeping move down Meridian’s right and eventually a shot on target only for the goalkeeper to make a fine save over the crossbar.

Although Meridian moved the ball it was not the fluent passing the management were looking for and eventually again a chance out of nothing fell for the opponents with the keeper saving a awkward shot only for the linesman to flag for a goal as the ball crossed the line 2-0.

Meridian feeling hard done by errors after all the hard work carried out pushed till half time when changes were made to bring in a little more balance to the team.

Meridian again pushed to get a hold in the game with hard work but simple errors again cost dearly with poor defending on the halfway point which allowed Blair opportunities to which they did not refuse with two quick goals 4-0.

It was only when the last change was made by Meridian did the team start to assert themselves as they are accustomed to. Fluency was better from players all of a sudden competing for every opportunity.

This was the moment although a little late Meridian created chance after chance.

Wayon Anderson played in into the 18 yard box with a delightful control once touch and unleashed a quality goal with his other foot and second touch curling it into the top left hand corner goalkeeper no chance 4-1.

Chances came with free kicks just narrowly missing also with the open play has Blair struggled to cope in the last 15 minutes.

As Meridian pushed to salvage a little pride evidently space was in abundance for Blair who countered from their goalkeeper right on the last whistle and scored again 5-1.

A rude awakening for the team who must be alert and ready to fight for the shirt they wear each and every game.

Meridian management very disappointed in the performance today with a lack competing and fundamental errors. "If we applied ourselves from the start as we did in the last 15 minutes with at least 8 opportunities the result would have been surely different" stated the manager.

We move on to next week to correct this performance without doubt!