A solitary Michael Uwezu strike on the hour was enough to send the Mead into the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy with the chance of drawing a Dartford or an Ebbsfleet United!

Uwezu’s 60th minute goal which was brilliantly created by Jay Porter and Tyrus Gordon-Young was the least the home side deserved as they dominated the game for long periods and could and perhaps should have won by more.

The first half developed very cagily with no quarter asked and none given by both sides with a series of hard challenges which lead to Lewis Dark receiving a head wound which eventually forced him off at half time, and there was a crunching challenge between Ibrahim Kargbo and Nick Treadwell which left both players requiring attention.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when Joe Taylor tested Mead keeper Andy Walker from an acute angle before Rams keeper Luke Watkins had to move smartly to his left to deny Kargbo after Aaron Jeffrey’s knock down. The half ended with the visitors having loud penalty appeals waved away after Ian Pulman went down as a cross came over from the right.

The second half was a much more open affair with both sides having early chances. Gordon-Young fired over after another great run from Porter, before the home side had an amazing escape during the Rams best period of the game. As keeper Walker tried to pass the ball out, he gave possession to Pulman who tried to go round the stranded keeper, Walker managed not one but two fabulous challenges that any central defenders would have been proud to call their own.

In their next attack, the visitors created another golden chance that unfortunately Taylor skied into the car park after Walker had made a great save to deny Girt.

The Mead then themselves had loud penalty appeals turned down as Duncan’s drive hit a hand, before on the hour Uwezu, who was a half time substitute for the luckless Dark, nipped in in front of Watkins to steer Porter’s brilliant cross into the net to break the deadlock.

Uwezu then tested Watkins again forcing the keeper into a fine save to his left. Porter then combined with substitute Ainsley Everitt, to provide Gordon-Young with another chance. But the Mead’s top scorer’s shot was deflected wide and from the resulting corner Uwezu was denied by Watkins’ knees as the keeper pulled off a fine block.

The home side were now well on top and only a fabulous Watkins save denied Gordon-Young after he was brilliantly put through by Duncan. From the resulting corner, Marc Gorbell’s downward header was too firm and it bounced up and cannoned to safety off of the crossbar.

Porter and Duncan then again brilliantly combined down the left and Everitt was only inches away from converting another super Porter cross.

The final whistle went shortly afterwards and there were few in the Friday night crowd who could have any arguments with the outcome that keeps the Mead on the Road to Wembley!

Thamesmead line up – Walker, Hallam, Porter, Dark (Uwezu). Barry, Gorbell, Butler, Kargbo, Gordon-Young, Duncan, Jeffrey (Everitt)

Subs not used -Figura, Anidugbe, Omand