Sun 1st XI Review
The 1st XI went into their 11th successive season in the top flight (more than any other present side). Stu Robinson was at the helm for a second season and players need to appreciate the work he does to ensure this club still has senior sides on a Saturday and Sunday. For the last two seasons the club ha suffered difficult times and these difficulties were still very much evident through this season. Last season a staggering 53 players were used but it dropped to 34 for this season. The average age of the squad was 23 despite James (33) and Danny Metheringham (30) being regular players, compared to 23.2 last season. Both these player reached milestones for the club with James passing 500 club appearances (more than anyone in known club history) and 300 Sunday 1st XI appearances. As for Danny he lags behind his brother, as he reached 400 club appearances and needs 12 for 300 1st XI appearances. Others to reach milestones were Jon Miller and Matt Robinson who were only 21 at the start of the season and they both passed 200 club games. Jim Pearson reached 150 1st XI games and Matt Hardy 150 club games while Liam Hargrave, Mark Jordan and Ben Deakin reached 100 club games. Surprisingly (despite being sent off 3 times) Matt Robinson was ever present, which sadly wont be the case next season as he will commence a lengthy suspension from the end of August. Missing only two games was James Metheringham. 13 of the 34 players used appeared in 10 or more games while 13 played in 3 or less. Lost to the club and also missing due to work commitments were Matt Abbott, Chris Chapman, Rob East, Paul Hamnett, Ben Reece and Tim Robinson. Pleasingly Jon Miller returned from Hunters Leap and new to the club was Ben Machin while ex youth players returning to the club included Sam Davis, Ted Shores. Ben Deakin became a regular member as did Mitch Hovey towards the end of the campaign. With the loss of a regular keeper Danny Metheringham was called on to don the jersey and never let the side down. Last season the team suffered 9 yellow and 1 red card (this season it dropped to 8 yellows but dismissals went up to 4 with Matt Robinson suffering three of this, one for two yellows and Jake Thorpe the other).
September
A rare phenomenon occurred for the second season in a row as the team won their opening game. It was in the County Cup and against a ten man Fenway (Spalding) side with 4-0 the score. This was Paul Hamnett first and only game and saw the only clean sheet of the season. Andy Mellor (back from college) scored one of the goals but unfortunately he only play twice more before leaving the area. The next game saw an opening league win with victory over FCW Burtons who would be fellow strugglers as the season progressed but the month closed with a heavy 6-1 defeat at FVA Jerusalem League Position 7/11
October.
October opened with two cup ties, both ending in defeat. The first saw an ‘aging’ Bradley side teach us a lesson as the dumped out of County Cup 5-1 and then a more than embarrassing 9-0 defeat was suffered to Scothern in the Kelly Read Cup. The first game saw new signing Ben Machin become the first yellow card of the season. The next game saw the first away win of the season secured as Jon Miller brought Meg from behind to snatch victory over Moorland Railway. The month then closed with defeat at Adelaide who would contest the top laces in the table. League Postion 7/11
November
The only two games of November saw back to back defeats against a Scothern side that, like Meg, would flounder at the wrong end of the table. The first saw Matt Robinson receive two yellows and then in the second both he and brother Tim suffered bookings. League Position 10/11
January
After the enforced Winter Break the season resumed with a 4-0 home defeat at the hand of champions elect FSC Victory. The first league double was registered in the next game with the biggest home win of the season as Moorland Railway were beaten 5-2. Ludicrous as it may seem this signaled the start of the best run of the season. League Postion 8/11
February
To continue the best run a 2-2 was recorded at AFC Hykeham but Matt Robinson picked up another yellow card. The two match unbeaten run ended at Hunters Leap where a 2-1 defeat was suffered. Then in the next game the team failed to score for a third occasion AFC Hykeham inflicted a 5-0 home defeat. Oh for a striker with the finishing qualities of Danny Hicks their centre forward. Referee Mr Pearce rose to his full height to book two, Matt Hardy and James Metheringham League Position 10/11
March
The return encounter with Adelaide got off to a dreadful start with Matt Robinson being sent off inside the first ten minutes. Fighting an uphill battle another five goals were conceded in a 5-1 defeat as a second double was conceded. A second league double was recorded in the next game but it also proved to be the last win of the season, still with six games to play. FCW Burton were the victims in what proved to be the best away win of the season, 3-1. Both sides finished with ten players as Jake Thorpe saw red! March’s last game saw unbeaten FSC Victory narrowly complete another double with a 1-0 win. League position 10/11
April
Hunters Leap had withdrawn from the league which lifted the side to 8/10. The first game of the month saw the only hat-trick netted with Ben Deakin scoring it as a see-saw match saw Jerusalem win 6-3 (League double four). Needing at least one victory to remain outside the relegation place the team had its best chance as they hosted Swan Athletic. From a winning position they conceded two late goals to suffer yet another defeat. Then in a quick return fixture they played 12 men on the ‘Birchwood’ as Swan completed an easy 6-0 double. League Position 10/10
May
The last games of the season were against league runners-up contenders Welton SSC home and away in the space of four days. The trap-door to Division One was now virtually wide open as only FCW Burton (with a worst goal difference) could be overtaken but two points was needed to save the drop. Sadly the away game at Welton had to be conceded leaving the home fixture the one where a minimum three points was the only way the side would not finish bottom. Twice Meg went ahead with goals from Jon Miller and Ben Deakin but then Welton found their passing game, running in five to win 6-2 and relegation was decided. League position 10/10