Poor performance at Rusthall...

RUSTHALL 3-0 MERIDIAN VP
Saturday 28th September 2019
SCEFL Division One
by Sean Boothe

Meridian were well and truly punished for their worst 45 minutes of the season in the first half at Jockey Farm. With some enforced changes to the team from the point picked up against Holmesdale last week saw starts for recent signing Abbas Oduncu, Brandon Hobbs and the returning Leslie Juch.

The opening exchanges were pretty even with Meridian’s Douane West charging down the home Keepers clearance and Trey Small putting pressure on their back line but no actual clear cut opportunities coming the visitors way.

Rusthall started to take control of the game moving the ball well and playing between the lines. In a 10 minute flurry they were three goals to the good. The first one was well worked with a powerful finish from Luke Adams and the second goal came from the penalty spot when Martin Begg brought down the forward just on the right hand side of the Box. Luke Adams again found the back of the net. The third found Jacob Skelly faced with two forwards who worked it well for Charlie Clover to bury his shot in the corner.

Meridian VP came out second half with a changed system and wounded pride to restore. Douane West was replaced by new signing Jordan Boateng who made an instant impact, creating two chances for Leslie Juch in five minutes. Alfie Collins entered the fray replacing Abbas Oduncu in the midfield, having a half volley which flashed wide. The third and final substitution was an unfortunate one when the impressive Jordan Boateng became ill on the pitch and was replaced by Tyrone Headley.

Though Meridian looked much more solid, they just could not find the goal to make a game of it with all the damage done in the first half.

Meridian VP: Ashton, Akintimetine, Skelly, Ade, Acheampong, Begg, Small, Banton, Babatunde, Spence, Juch. Subs: Headley, West, J.A. Boateng.

MoTM: Mike Ade