Meacher class brings United down to earth (From Stroud News and Journal)

Meacher class brings United down to earth

Southall v Shortwood Southall 4, Shortwood United 2

THE Football League experience of former QPR striker Michael Meacher proved Shortwood's undoing as they surrendered a first-half lead and suffered a decisive defeat at Southall on Saturday.

United had dominated the opening half-hour, playing some incisive football on one of the best pitches in the league.

But they failed to make the most of their early superiority and with the crafty Meacher causing constant problems to their usually secure defence to score twice before the interval, Southall took the initiative and the points in the second half.

United went into the game having failed to score in their last three matches and their lack of strike power was again evident in the opening quarter.

Chris Greenoff, on his return to the side after a lengthy injury absence, made a marked impression on the midfield, ceaselessly prompting a stream of early attacks, but most of these came to nothing through a careless final pass and when they did create a clear Chance United failed to take it.

Craig Cole wasted one opportunity, firing wide from a John Embling cross and then Michael Green shot straight at the home keeper when well placed to score.

However United's pressure finally paid off on the half-hour when a good move saw the ball swept out to Richard Evans and Mike Green met his cross at the far post to score with a firm header.

Stung by the setback, Southall responded positively and with 37 minutes gone Meacher pulled them level with a superb individual goal. Receiving the ball from a throw-in, Meacher rode a challenge from Ashley Thomas, went round Matt Williford and buried a firm low shot inside the near post.

Two minutes later Meacher struck again with a clever piece of opportunism. Standing yards offside when Southall broke away on the right flank, he timed his run to perfection to race clear of a retreating defence and convert the resulting cross at the far post giving United keeper Adam Thomas no chance.

Trailing 2-1 at the interval, Shortwood were always up against it as Southall went from strength to strength with the slope in their favour in the second half.

Meacher, a constant thorn in United's side, set up Southall's third goal in the 55th minute, once again rounding Williford to square the ball for his fellow striker to find the net and ten minutes later United conceded a fourth as their defence appealed for offside in vain and a Southall midfielder ran through to poke a shot past Thomas.

Greenoff and Evans tried hard to galvanise United into action and this combination was rewarded ten minute from time when Evans flicked on a cross and Greenoff headed home at the far post, but it was too little too late and Southall held on to a victory they just about deserved.

Shortwood Reserves, who had beaten Longford 4-1 in midweek, went down 3-1 at home to Sharpness in a Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One clash on Saturday.

Shortwood host Bishop's Cleeve in a Hellenic Premier Division clash tonight (Wednesday) at 7.30pm and then entertain Didcot Town at Meadowbank on Saturday (3pm).