A solitary goal on the hour from Alex Tenolia was enough to earn the Mead vital points that lifted us off the bottom of Ryman One North.
Not only was Alex’s third goal in three games crucial it also meant that the Mead rise two places to 20th and also keep our first League clean sheet at the 21st attempt.

With both sides starting the game in the Division’s bottom three, there was naturally a certain amount of tension around but that still cannot excuse Gordon’s miss for the visitors on the 20 minute mark.

A good cross from the right fell to the Rovers number nine four yards out, his mercy he slid the ball wide of the right post.

It was the wake up call that the Mead needed but sadly their finishing was just as disappointing.  Aaron Rhule dragged a shot across the face of goal when well placed; Harvey Brand after a great forward run pulled the ball back into the Rovers box only to place the ball between the waiting green shirts and Aaron saw a header grabbed by keeper Belcher.  There were also loud penalty shouts from the homeside when Ike Feehi “collided” with a defender – referee Scott though wasn’t interested, which seemed to sadly mirror his afternoon!

After the break Gordon again wished the Bayliss Avenue pitch would have swallowed him up as he raced clear only this time to thump the ball against Tyler McCarthy’s left post, and as the ball ricocheted to Butterworth, the Mead’s stopped reacted quickest to brilliantly block the rebound.  It was only after the game that Tyler admitted that he didn’t get a touch on Gordon’s shot.

Then just past the hour came the goal – a great long cross from Harvey saw Ike’s cushioned header fall for Alex who drilled the ball beyond Belcher and into the net.

The Mead faithful then feared the worse as Leon Smith was given a second yellow card that left most of them totally baffled as indeed Leon appeared as he trudged off.  The gaffer responded by withdrawing Ike and introducing Joe Vines.  And Joe filled in brilliantly alongside Lewis Knight who with Leon had provided a terrific rear-guard action, and with Harvey Brand and Jay Porter providing outstanding support both going forward and defending the Mead were able to hold out to record our first League clean-sheet of the season.

With a road trip ahead of the team now to Waltham Abbey, VCD and Cheshunt, the Gaffer called for “a good December” in his programme notes – it wasn’t pretty but its three valuable points!

THAMESMEAD TOWN – Tyler McCarthy, Harvey Brand, Jay Porter, Scott Kinch (Michael James-Lewis 85), Lewis Knight, Leon Smith, Ellis green, Bode Anidugbe, Alex Tenoila, Ike Feehi (Joe Vines 76), Aaron Rhule

Subs – Nathan Simpson, Connor French, Michael Ademiluyi