The score may have been the same but that’s where the similarities ended as the Mead made it six games without defeat.
Seventeen months earlier, the Mead had visited Guernsey in brilliant sunshine on the day that the FA Cup made its first appearance in the holiday isle. This trip however saw swirling rain, and bitterly cold gusty winds which after the game itself and just before the travelling party were due to depart the island developed into thick fog.
With that in mind, the ninety minutes entertainment served up by the two team every bit matched the excitement of the Cup tie even if the match officials didn’t have one of their better days!
Twice the Mead led, through Paul Vines’ persistence and Danny Parish quick thinking, but not even the front two’s 19th and 13th respective goals of the season would seal the points for the travellers as the home side twice came from behind to earn what was a deserved point with a side that was much changed from the one that the Mead had beaten 5-0 at Princes Park just three and a half weeks earlier.
The Mead though started the game just the same and early on Vines was desperately unlucky to see a diving header flash just wide. But the Mead top scorer, returning of course to the site of his record-breaking FA Cup goal (the first ever scored in the competition on the Island) wasn’t to be denied and on 13 minutes opened the scoring. Full marks on this occasion must go to official Fell for an excellent advantage after Tom O’Connor had been floored (shame there weren’t to be more such decisions during the game), the ball ran to Parish, who’s first time lay off found his strike partner who drilled home from the edge of the box.
Parish was then inches away from a second as O’Connor found him racing through with a superb ball – the young Mead striker was so desperately unlucky to see his lob which was hit with him racing through at some speed bounce agonisingly the wrong side of Guernsey keeper Stanton’s left post.
The home side were level on twenty minutes when Akpobire (who’s is on loan on the island from Championship side Bristol City) was denied by a great save from Lewis Carey. Sadly, for the Mead’s stopper from the corner, Dodd was left unmarked to turn home the knock down. Not that it seemed to matter for the Mead as within 90 seconds they were back in front. This time, Vines turned provider for Parish – coolly nodding down Solomon Taiwo’s free kick for Parish to react quickest and prodded the Mead back in front.
That was a position that the visitors held until just after the half time break when Akpobire went down in the Mead box under challenge and after what seemed like an age, the referee pointed at the spot. The Bristol City loanee dusted himself down and drove the spot kick into the bottom corner to level things up at 2-2.
Incredibly for the remaining 42 minutes that’s how it stayed despite numerous chances at both ends. Anidugbe drove just over after fabulous interchange between O’Connor, Brand and Anidugbe himself, and Parish will have been disappointed not to have reached a late chance as it fizzed across the box whilst at the other end Rihoy hit a post; Lewis made a fine save to deny Pereira and only Coulter will know how his free header didn’t at least hit the target!
The Mead held to their third draw in a row – three different draws but in the end three very frustrating draws…
THE MEAD – Carey, Brand (Mendy), McIntyre, Taiwo, Avery, Adelowo, Anidugbe, O’Connor, Vines, Parish, Danquah
Subs – Green, Laker & Pacquette