Thamesmead Town 1 Hythe Town 1

Saturday 12 January, 2008

Kent Premier Division

Hythe Town 1 Thamesmead Town 1

By Mead reporter Steve Brown

On a nice clear day, Mead came to play Hythe who in theory could challenge for the league and have applied for promotion. Thamesmead last played them recently, in the 15 December and scored a 93rd minute equalizer courtesy of Mr Bing.

Mead started very brightly and kept Hythe on the back foot, giving plenty of cover to young Adam Woodward in goal. Play was quite scrappy with possession being given away too easily, but we had the majority of play and possession. Although the pitch looked good, it was obviously holding a lot of water and started to cut up quite quickly, but was playable.

The first chance came Mead’s way on 15 minutes with Curtis Williams being put through, only to be denied by the keeper. Minutes later a Hythe build up got broken up by Pedro Knight who fed Rob Tarrant who in turn played Williams in again. Once again the keeper came out quickly and the ball was deflected for a corner.

Just before the break a deep corner from stalwart Peter Deadman was met by the head of James Brown but the keeper again saved. Hythe were reduced to a couple of long shots that did not bother Woodward in goal.

The Hythe bench were urging their players on and rounded on the front pair for not working hard enough, but to be fair they were being out battled in mid-field and any forward balls were being gobbled up by the back four.

The second half was like the first, and it seemed it would just be a matter of time before Thamesmead would score. However, time wore on and although Mead were playing some nice moves and going close we could not put the ball away.

The game got stretched and Hythe had a couple of break away chances, but Woodward was smartly off his line to snuff out the pacey Hythe forwards.

Finally, fine work by Rikki Cable saw him draw three players to the right hand side, who were intent on stopping him, but they could not and as he made his way to the goal line he cut a great ball back into the middle for Williams to fire home on 72 minutes.

Shortly after Lou Watts picked up an injury and was replaced by Lee Coburn. Over the next ten minutes Hythe used all subs and Mead used their remaining two.

Hythe looked more pacey now and slowly started to push Thamesmead back as the lead was defended.

On 86 minutes Hythe got their first corner of the half and a great ball in saw Ransley meet it unchallenged, the shot was parried and amongst the players in the six yard area finally got cleared for another corner. Had Head learnt their lesson from previously this season? No! As the same player again came in from the edge of the box unmarked and this time made sure. 1-1 again.

The Hythe supporters I spoke to thought that they had been lucky, and thought we could have been at least 3-0 by the break. However, the team played some of their best football for some time and Hythe have been neutralized as possible champions for a time and they have finally dropped points at home. It was a shame for Thamesmead that it wasnt all three.

 

Thamesmead line-up (with player ratings)

Woodward 7 Looked alert

Kearly 7 Solid

Watts 7 Started some good moves from right back

Brown 7 Solid

Deadders 7 Handled speedy winger well

Tarrant 7 Got another black eye for his trouble

Mulholland 7 Chased and harried all over the pitch

Knight 7 Got around the pitch with Mulholland

Cable 7 Couldnt get him the ball enough, good game

Williams 8 Harried all game long, finally got the goal his work rate deserved.

Dimmock 7 Started to look sharp again, nice touches

 

Subs

Coburn 6 Looked off the pace

Bing 6 No time to show much

Dawson 6 Found it hard to get in the game.

Next match at Bayliss Avenue

Thurs 17th July 2008

Pre-season friendly

Thamesmead Town

Vs Welling United XI

K.O. 7.45PM