Meridian vp FC
Matches
Mon 26 Aug 2019  ·  Division 1
MERIDIAN VP FOOTBALL CLUB
Meridian vp FC
3
2
Bridon Ropes
MVP claim SE7 bragging rights....

MVP claim SE7 bragging rights....

Website Administration23 Oct 2019 - 08:37
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Meridian dug in to secure a win which keeps them just 3 points from top spot

Match report 26.8.19

Meridian VP 3 (Jacob Skelly 45’ Leslie Juch 49’ 59’)

Bridon Ropes 2 (Liam Donaldson 65’ Omar Artry 85’)

by Sean Boothe

Meridian VP came away with the bragging rights in the ‘Battle of SE7’ in a well contested Bank Holiday Derby. Both teams came into the game off the back of disappointing defeats on the Saturday and the home side were the more positive side in the opening exchanges.

Neither Goalkeeper were particularly troubled but it was a flowing open game with Bridon Ropes trying to retain good possession and Meridian getting forward quickly to try and grab the opening goal. The home side lost their left winger Justin Palmer after 22 minutes with a slight ankle knock that he couldn’t shake. He was replaced by Toyeeb Babatunde in a straight swap.

Meridian VP were in control of the game with Michael Ade and Jacob Skelly dominant, Full backs Harvey Brinkley and Tyrone Palmer getting forward, Micah Banton and Captain Tim Moffatt marshalling the Midfield well. Tyrose Headley looked very sharp in his first start of the season out on the right and both forwards Douane West and Leslie Juch on his full debut making themselves busy up top.

Meridian eventually broke the deadlock just before half-time when a free-kick from Tyrose Headley was slotted underneath the Goalkeeper by Jacob Skelly for his first goal of the season in the 45th minute.

HT 1-0

Meridian addressed their sluggish starts in the second half with an early second goal. In the 49th minute a clearance that fell to Leslie Juch saw the forward turn and play a great pass from his own half, for Douane West to turn and accelerate onto into the channel. Juch then followed his pass with a tremendous run into the box to slam home the return pass from his partner.

Captain Tim Moffatt came off to protect a slight strain he had picked up for Joe Richardson who was rested on Saturday due to a hip injury. Joe done very well to pick up the pace of the game in the hot conditions. At this point the home side were on top creating numerous chances, with Douane West having a personal dual with the Bridon Keeper and Tyrone Headley having a ferocious drive parried away.

In the 59th minute the same combination of West and Juch combined with a saved shot from the former falling to Juch to slam home his second and Meridian’s third. Not too long after his goal, the hitman had to be substitution with a calf strain and replaced with Trey Small.

To Bridon Ropes credit, they refused to give up and got a life line when their striker Liam Donaldson followed up a parried free kick to give them an unsuspected lifeline in the 65th minute. The same player had the ball in the net soon after but was rightfully adjudged to be offside.

Bridon’s excellent Omar Artry then made it a very nervy end to the game with some individual brilliance for the away team’s second goal. Meridian dug in and secured the win, keeping them within 3pts of the top spot and in good spirits for next weekend’s important FA Vase game at home to Hassocks.

Match details

Match date

Mon 26 Aug 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

45

Competition

Division 1

League position

7
Meridian VP
17
Bridon Ropes
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

The Football Foundation
Shirt Sponsor - Scheuch Developments
Club Sponsor - KF Candles