First Home Game Ends in Defeat but Positives to Build On

In front of a fantastic crowd at Meridian Sports & Social Club, we held our first home match of the season against Rochester United on Saturday 30th August. A huge thank you to everyone who turned out your support really lifted the team.

The match began with pace, and we were immediately put to the test when Rochester earned a penalty in the second minute. Albert Penney produced a massive save to maintain our clean sheet remarkable to note he has now remained unbeaten from three penalties this season. However, that reprieve was short-lived as their number 9 found the net in the 11th minute to give them the lead. The pressure continued and a towering header from their number 4 doubled their advantage just seven minutes later.

We struggled to find our usual rhythm early on, but from around the half-hour mark we began stringing together better passing moves and created our first sight of goal through Manny Oshinowo. Still, the half ended with us trailing 0–2.

We emerged in the second half with more purpose and carved out several good openings, though Rochester remained a threat on the break. Their number 10 made it 3–0 in the 82nd minute with a smart finish. But we refused to concede without a reply. In the 86th minute, Shegs Akinwunmi popped up in the box and coolly slotted a low drive into the bottom corner to reward our second-half resurgence. The final whistle confirmed a 1–3 result.

A special shout-out also goes to Meridian Valley Youth Under-13s, who served as our mascots and cheered us on from start to finish—you were brilliant.

Final Score: Bridon Ropes 1 – 3 Rochester United
Goals: Akinwunmi (86′)
Rochester Goals: Reilly (11’), Payne (18’), Nelson (82’)

Our Starting XI:
Penney; Kemp (c), Brown, Quinnear, Leacock, Norcott, Mahmut, Skordilis, Oshinowo, Keen, Kasai

Substitutes: Bestman, Da Lomba, Akinwunmi, Fahey, Sarpong

Attendance: 91