FINAL, FINAL, FINAL - What A Day !!

Today was going to be an interesting affair as both teams competing for the final at the end of the season in this Erith Hospitals Charity Cup Semi Final.

Meridian started with no hesitation or doubt with the squad clearly focused and showing the right attitude.

Assertion was the key and Meridian quickly showed that their current league form does not give the justice it deserves as many teams will agree with.

Good pattern of play was pleasing to the eye but it was the opposition who struck first with their one and only attack in the 12th minute with a poorly marked corner which was scored at the near post, 0-1.

Meridian management reeling clearly gave the kick the players needed has they all responded with attack after attack and great possession rarely losing the ball which coincided with a free kick awarded to Meridian on our right side around 40 yards from goal.

Up stepped Darren Flaherty with a quality delivery on the 40 minute as Devere Stewart met the the ball with a great touch first time GOAL! 1-1.

It was nothing more than Meridian deserved going in at the half time interval.

Stern words and a request to pick up the level of performance was clearly the tonic in the second half.

It was against the run of play has the meridian defender blocked a loose ball standing his ground only for the official to award a penalty to the surprise of many around the ground on the 54th minute which was converted although he goalkeeper Jamie Brinkley was unlucky to get his hand on the ball, 1-2.

Meridian knuckled down and got on with the job at hand as the team pushed even more and rewarded on the 61 minute with a penalty for hand ball as the ball was crossed from the right side. Penalty clinically converted by Darren Flaherty on 61 minutes, 2-2.

As the match progress so the opposition looked to be tired and running out of ideas as Meridian played good football and again pattern of play from the midfield put in Trevor Charley who chipped the on-coming goalkeeper on the 69 minute, 3-2.

Momentum was key and although Meridian were leading the one goal was not enough as the players showed their maturity and sealed a great move with the assist from Craig Brown slotting in Darren Flaherty who made no mistake on 77 minutes, 4-2.

With 10 minutes to go the opposition found some attacking pedigree and were only thwarted by goalkeeper Jamie Brinkley with some great shot stopping and one world class save out of nowhere saving and palming the ball onto the cross bar and collecting when it seemed the opposition would pull one back.

A better day at the office and now showpiece final to look forward to in April / May 2013, but now all are clearly focused on the job at hand to achieve some pride and results with good performances in the league programme.