Second half goals from Richard Butler and Paul Vines saw Thamesmead Mead avenge Aveley’s win in the reverse fixture in August in quote possibly the most comprehensive performance that Terry Spillane’s side has produced all season long.

After wasting numerous chances in the first half, with the home wood work being struck twice and the Mead having a “goal” disallowed as well, two goals in the space of five mad second half minutes took the Meads total to ten points out of twelve since the early December “break” – a return that has taken the Mead to within four points of the prized Play Off places.

Early on, home keeper James Marrable survived loud appeals for hand ball outside of his box as Tyrus Gordon-Young sprinted clear but referee Skipper (who was to leave his mark on the game later), waved away the appeals!

The Mead then had a goal disallowed when the keeper couldn’t hold Butler’s shot but Theo Fairweather-Johnson was ruled offside as he netted the rebound, before Marrable fine a fine stop to deny Tyrus Gordon-Young following Marc Gorbell’s fine through ball.

With the half wearing on, it seemed just a matter of time before the visitors took the lead as first Derek Duncan fired a free kick into the side netting before a dreadful clearance from Marrable fell straight to Theo, only for the keeper to redeem himself with a fine save. But from the corner, Butler was denied by the bar after firmly meeting Vines’ knock back.

The home side then provided the Mead with a real wake up call as Nash got on the end of an aimless ball into the visitors box, before creating space for himself only to be denied brilliantly by Andy Walker who spread himself brilliantly!

The first half ended with the Mead going close again – this time Gordon-Young fired over from the angle after sprinting clear down the inside right channel.

The second half exploded into lift after only a couple of minutes as the home side found themselves down to ten men as Teniola found himself shown a straight red card for an ugly clash with Farai Hallam which left the Mead man needing lengthy treatment. The decision though clear for all to see for some reason incensed the home dug out and the referee ordered Aveley’s coach to the stand.

With a man advantage, surely the Mead must now take advantage and they duly did within five minutes as Gordon-Young was flattened in the box after Jay Porter’s cross had been deflected high into the air, and Butler duly converted the spot kick with some aplomb.

One became two very quickly as Vines showed his class and experience by sprinting clear of the defence, and as the keeper came out desperately trying to narrow the angle, the Mead striker made five goals in his last four starts with some aplomb leaving Marrable stranded on his back-side!

With the points now well and truly in the bag, Vines could have added another for himself but his effort from Jays cross, didn’t have the legs to cross the line on a very heavy pitch, and Fairweather-Johnson was denied the chance of rolling in the rebound by a last gasp clearance.

There was still time for the home side to be reduced still further as Harrison was shown a straight red card for a cynical challenge on Gordon-Young and shortly afterwards a second member of the home sides coaching team was dismissed from the dug out – again for something that was said!

All in all a fine performance from the Mead eventually – one that has taken Spillane and his charges to the very edge of the Play Off places as 2015 becomes 2016 – a position that some would say is the place to be going into what could become a very exciting second half of the season for all those involved at Sporting Club!

THAMESMEAD – Walker, Glasgow, Porter, Butler, Hallam, Gorbell, Prescott (Mitchell), Duncan, Gordon-Young, Fairweather-Johnson, Vines (Barnwell)

Subs – Spillane, Everitt, Aziaya