Improved Performance Good To See!!

After the short winter disruption so far, Meridian looked forward to improve on an encouraging last performance against Sutton Athletic.

Today’s opponents visiting the lane were Hollands & Blair FC, who have punished Meridian twice already this season with 5-1 & 7-0 victories in the league & cup.

Meridian with players returning from injury and added new faces were quicker out of the blocks and asserted themselves very well.

H & B could not get started at all with Meridian closing down play when they did not retain possession very well. Meridian creating several clear cut chances which should have been converted only to be thwarted by their goalkeeper with some tame shooting.

Constantly the tempo was consistent with the Meridian defence showing good attitude and focus snuffing out danger whenever it arose. Again the midfield had another fine display in the first half being solid and vision a plenty.

Meridian deserved to go into the break at least ahead being the far better side, but again the one and only lapse of concentration on the 43rd minute with a poor goal given to H & B was the only negative point in the 1st half.

Meridian were not at all concerned as they continued with their game plan with the movement of the ball a pleasure to the eye.

It was not too long as on the 61st minute a break finally came for Meridian with defending from the front causing panic in the H & B defence to which Meridian capitalised with no hesitation as the ball was switched over to the left to Alex Wasolua who jinked passed the defence of H & B and slotted his 2nd shot away to level the game.

This was no more than Meridian deserved has many a spectator paying compliments stated “how on earth is Meridian not winning with this display of football”.

With player changes on the 70 minute Meridian took the game by the horns and pushed rarely looking in danger. It was not until the 75 minute approximately as the Meridian substitute was shown the teams very first red card of the season for kicking out after barley been on the pitch less than 5 minutes.

The game did slightly change with H & B trying to push but Meridian held comfortably with great discipline and concentration has the opposition run out of ideas to take the match that they thought was a clear winner for them.

Great determination, focus, concentration, tremendous attitude and hard work for each other shown by all the squad today!

Next week’s fixture we welcome Sutton Athletic this Saturday 25th February 2012 to which will be a very interesting but tough fixture.