League and Cup Disappointment for Old Meads

Season ends on a low with penalty shoot-out loss in cup final

Old Meadonians suffered the ultimate ‘League/Cup Double’ frustration, settling, with one game to go, for third place in the league, after convincingly beating leaders Old Minchendenians and walking all over second placed Old Hamptonians but without scoring, in the run in.

Then, on Tuesday night at Dulwich Hamlet, they lost on penalties in the London Old Boys’ Cup Final to Old Aloysians, from the division below.

Tuesday’s game encapsulated Meads’ season as Aloysians were content for the most part to absorb pressure and to rely on breaks-away while Meads could not muster the fire power to capitalise on their superior possession.

Aloysians’ goal, mid-way through the first half, came as Meads’ centre-back, Ali McCombe, was robbed for a walk in and even after Will Gerrish equalised with twenty minutes to go, Meads’ frustration continued as they had what looked a perfectly legal goal headed by Aidan Chapman disallowed by a trigger-happy assistant.

This has been a make do and mend season for Meads, in which, generally, their injury list has been instrumental in reducing fire power and their reserve team have been unable to underpin them with any success.

Result - The cup final was 1-1 and 5-4 on penalties.

May 8, 2014