Casey Cooper-Fiske reports on a five-goal thriller in the Ryman League One North…
Thamesmead Town ended their three game run without a win, after a 3-2 away victory over fellow strugglers Great Wakering Rovers at Burrough’s Park.
An action packed first half, saw the Mead score all five of their goals to give them their second win in their last six games.
In the opening four minutes, the referee pointed to the spot for a hand ball after Richard Butler’s shot hit the arm of the Great Wakering defender. Butler stepped up in place of Paul Vines for penalty duties, and the decision by Terry Spillane paid off, as Butler coolly slotted home to give visitors the lead.
Just four minutes later the official awarded another penalty to the home side this time for a controversial handball by the Mead defender, Marc Gorbell. Eljay Worrell equalised from the spot to outfox Andy Walker.
Spot kicks
Gorbell made up for conceding the penalty, as he cleared Jay Nash’s goal bound effort off the line and into the path of Theo Fairweather-Johnson. He outmuscled two Great Wakering defenders and provided a fitting counter-attacking finish, to restore the Mead’s advantage for his sixth goal in eight games.
The away sides lead only lasted a couple of minutes, as keeper Andy Walker went through the Great Wakering striker Nash leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot – for the third time in just 23 minutes. Worrell stepped up for the second time and converted straight down the middle for his brace to level the tie up at two each.
The 25-minute goal fest was capped off by a spectacular 20-yard strike from the Mead newbie Harrison Carnegie saw his effort fly in the top corner, for his first goal for the club and put the home side 3-2 ahead.
Andy Walker, easily Mead’s player of the month, was then called into action in the 40th minute as Adalberto Pinto raced through one on one. The Mead stopper remained firm and rebounded the ball away to safety keeping the Mead in front at the break.
Holding on for the win
The hosts were in control of the early stages of the second half but it was Thamesmead’s Paul Vines with the first real opportunity, as he went through on goal but the Great Wakering keeper’s outstretched leg denied Vines.
Towards the end of an eventful afternoon for Thamesmead, Gorbell almost had his sliced clearance divert James Pugsley’s cross into his own net, as the ball skimmed over the crossbar.
The Mead held on for all three points, despite a number of late half chances for Great Wakering Rovers who now sit 13th in the table.
Thamesmead will now look to build on their success in Tuesday evening’s game, with another away trip to Haringley Borough.