Meridian slumped to a successive home defeat and lost the chance to move up the table. This being one of two games they had in hand over the teams above ,it really was an opportunity spurned.
A disappointing first half in which neither team created any thing worth noting was played largely in midfield.
The second half came to life early. Meridian push pressure on Elmstead's defenders and a forced back pass was mis-kicked by the keeper. Ramell Lake picked up the loose ball and turned the defender to shoot past two players on the line with the keeper out of position. 1-0 up on 50 minutes, the lead didn't last long. An Elmstead corner hit deep to the back post was headed in from two yards. Meridian still reeling from that goal lost concentration and shape. An unchecked run and through ball put them clear on goal and a last gasp challenge by Norcott saw a penalty awarded. Penalty scored and MVP found themselves 2-1 down having taken the lead just 7 minutes earlier.
Meridian lacked ideas and quality in the final third and failed to put any pressure on the visitors goal. Allisani's introduction came to late one great run from him down the right wing nearly fashioned a chance but no one could get onto the end of his cross. A feature of Meridian's night was the poor quality of crosses. The performance of Kelvin Bakare was a positive for MVP his efforts won a corner late on but the delivery into the box at the second attempt was dreadful. The visitors broke from there and won themselves a corner. Thus taking any momentum from MVP to push for a equaliser .The visitors managed the final few minutes and nearly added a third but a goal bound effort was headed off the line and over the bar.

FT Meridian VP 1 FC Elmstead 2