Mead win war of attrition

Saturday 23 January 2010

Ryman League Division 1 North
Thamesmead Town 2 Heybridge Swifts 1
By Mead reporter Kevin White

Thamesmead remain second in the league after gaining another three points in a match which was a war of attrition against a physical and ill tempered Heybridge Swifts team.
 
With very few chances in a physical first half, tempers flared after a free kick was awarded to Heybridge on 28 minutes. The result of a melee between most players saw Fiston Emmanual sent off for Swifts. However, the instigator of the conflict, Leon Antoine, remained on the pitch to put the visitors ahead from a goal line scramble resulting from the free kick.

Mead began to dominate towards the end of the half, first having a penalty appeal turned down for handball on 40 minutes, then striker Andy Constable saw his goal bound shot well saved four minutes later.
 
Thamesmead continued to dominate in the second half and their patient football resulted in the equalising goal on 74 minutes. Prolific striker Andy Constable played the ball to Marcus Perona on the right edge of the Swifts area to drill the ball home low across the box.
 
Mead took advantage of the extra man time and again and gained the winner on 78 minutes. Scott Mulholland’s 20 yard free kick struck the Swifts bar and was followed by Constable to head the ball in to an empty net.
 
The only scare for Thamesmead came on 80 minutes when a rare opportunity for Heybridge was squandered when Reece Morgan's speculative effort from 20 yards flew just high and wide of the Mead goal.

As Mead were safely seeing the game to a conclusion, there were ugly scenes in the third minute of injury time. Heybridge's Danny Barber harangued Mead striker Rikki Cable off the ball. The pair clashed and both were given their marching orders by referee Butler.

Not an easy game of football, but Thamesmead remained resolute in battle to gain the points.

Mead line up: Northwood, Perona, Baker, Brown, Campbell, Moore (R Momodu 60)Tozer, Mulholland, Constable (McGeehan 87), Cable.
 

Shots on target
Shots off target
Fouls commited
Corners
Offsides
Yellow cards
Red cards

5 3
5 1
10 16
3 2
8 2
2 2
1 2