Heartbreak for MVP in the 85th minute

GREENWAYS 3 Cross 55’ Wood 79’ Donaldson 85’(p)

MERIDIAN VP 2 Pingling 29’ Small (p)

After two weeks without a game, Meridian returned to action away at the K Sports Stadium. The team boasted two debutants in Goalkeeper Dan Carpanini in from AFC Croydon Athletic and RJ Pingling in from Croydon.

The match started at a very high tempo with the home side trying to build from the back and Meridian pressing with intent all around the park. RJ Pingling, Adrian Spence, Trey Small and Jordan Anderson-Boetang worked really hard to regain possession. The Midfield of Joe Richardson and Skipper Jacob Skelly were able to pick up loose balls behind the front players keeping the pressure on the home side. To Greenways credit, even when they lost it they continued to play out from the back. First real opportunity of the game fell to Adrian Spence who was put through by Joe Richardson only to be upended from behind by the Centre half. What looked to be a stonewall penalty claim was waved away by the referee who was to become instrumental in the outcome of the game.

Meridian were eventually to make the breakthrough with a goal from RJ Pingling on his debut. After some good hustle from Trey Small to win the ball back, the ball found Pingling on the edge of the box for him to drive low across the keeper and inside the right hand post. Meridian went on to get a well deserved second when Jordan Anderson-Boetang was pushed over on the left side of the box after neat build up play between Collins Amanike and RJ Pingling saw him break into the box. The penalty was duly despatched by Trey Small for his first of the season. Meridian remained in control going into the half.

HT: 0-2

The second half was a totally different affair with pivotal moments swinging the game in Greenways favour. First major talking point saw Jacob Skelly sin binned allowing Greenways to seize control by doubling up on the wings to isolate the full backs and get numerous crosses in. Pressure eventually told when in the 55th minute Brad Cross ghosted in behind Mike Ade to head in from close range. Not too long after this saw Martin Begg pull a Greenways’ Forward back to give away a penalty and to receive a yellow card. This kick was superbly saved by Dan Carpanini diving low to his right.

The home side kept driving forward and by the time Jacob Skelly re-entered the fray had created a number of chances. When Skelly came on, the linesman flagged not realising the referee had waved the Skipper back on. They restarted the game with a drop ball, and as RJ Pingling pressed, ended up twisting his leg and injuring his Ankle. He was replaced by youngster Jason Kaate.

Tim Moffatt was brought on to replace Trey Small to try and stem the wave of attacks but the pressure eventually told. In the 79th minute with another cross in from the right wing saw Lewis Wood steal in to grab the equaliser on the far post.Then heartbreak for Meridian in the 85th minute saw a perfectly timed tackle deemed as a foul by Abbas Oduncu with Nick Donaldson placing the penalty in the top corner to beat the impressive Dan Carpanini in the goal. It was a bitter end to what was an impressive start to the game for Meridian.

MoTM: Dan Carpanini

1 Dan Carpanini
2 Abbas Oduncu
3 Collins Amanike Ugochukwu
4 Mike Ade
5 Martin Begg
6 Joe Richardson
7 Jacob Skelly
12 Trey Small
9 RJ Pingling
10 Adrian Spence
11 Jordan Anderson-Boateng

Subs:
8 Tim Moffatt (on for Trey Small)
14 Jason Kaate (on for RJ Pingling)
15 Junior Pepin
GK Ben Ashton