Two first half Meridian VP goals settled the SCEFL Division One Cup tie at Sporting Club Thamesmead.

Having already failed to take advantage of three corners from a fast start, the visitors caused problems with a long throw by Louie Rowbotham that beat the first man allowing Zachary Jacubowski to hook a shot that was tipped over by Justin Lee.

Lee then turned provider by claiming a cross and kicking it out quickly allowing Tom Borders a run at the Meridian defence. He twisted and turned but was off balance when he shot and it flew over. 

Another good save by Lee thwarted Naser Bakare when he met Mal Turner’s free kick with a stooping header however he was powerless to stop Meridian from going ahead. Ahmed Bangura slipped Randy Otto through and he made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Jacubowski had a chance to make it two when Rowbotham headed it down but his close range shot was blocked by the busy Lee. Turner caused further problems when Charlie Norcott headed it down but Otto couldn’t get a clean connection and the chance was gone.

More chances went the way of the visitors. Turner again found Bakare with a free kick and his volley flew back out off the bar then Ayo Bakare put in an inviting cross that Jacubowski was unable to turn home.

Naser Bakare again hit the woodwork when he his low drive clipped the base of the post and it appeared that Meridian were going to go into the break just one goal to the good until stoppage time when Jacubowski was sent clear down the left hand side and he gave Lee no chance with a shot inside the far post.

At the interval, Fred Dillon made a triple change to the Acre line-up and they were much improved after the break. Borders’ flick on gave Max Woodfine an opportunity but he couldn’t get sufficient elevation to bother Meridian goalkeeper Connor Cooper who saved comfortably.

Then, at the other end, Ayo Bakare headed wide from a Turner corner before Robinhood Mensah had a shot deflected into the path of Ayo Bakare. He squared to Abdul Battar who looked certain to score until the outstanding Lee got across to make another brilliant point blank save. He wasn’t finished there and he made yet another great save when clawing away Norcott’s header from a Turner corner. 

Joseph Burden took tried his luck with a free kick for Thamesmead that was saved by Cooper, and he then shot wide first time after Reece Antoine’s initial effort was blocked into his path. Francis Biyak fired over the angle of bar and post with a fierce drive before Noah Hamelberg turned well and shot from fully thirty-five yards but it went wide of the near post.

Biyak created another chance when his cross picked out Henry Gavan. He laid it off to Borders whose shot was saved by Cooper. Twice Acre’s captain Sean Adams hit free kicks cleanly, but too straight and Cooper saved before the hosts had one last chance when Biyak did well to feed Antoine but his effort went wide of the far post.

Although Thamesmead’s defeat means that they will not progress beyond the group stages, they will take heart from their second half performance. However Meridian were worthy winners and keep their hopes alive. 

SC Thamesmead: Lee, McKenzie, Adams, Burden, Williams (Akande 46), Ogunbiyi, Hamelberg, Holden (Biyak 46), Borders, Lockett (Antoine 46), Woodfine (Gavan 79).

Sub not used: Khunkhun.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Burden

Meridian VP: Cooper, Bittar (Ibitoye 59), Bangura, Wright, Norcott, N. Bakare (Mensah 44), A. Bakare (Lekmiti (75), Rowbotham (Oni 70), Jacubowski, Turner, Otoo.

Sub not used: Makinde.

Goalscorers: Otoo (16), Jacubowski (45+2)

Yellow cards: Norcott, Bittar, Otoo, Wright, Oni

Referee: Stephen Tunnicliffe

Assistants: William Rough and Thomas Amber

Attendance: 50