Lydd Town FC – 7 Meridian VP – 0
Lydd Town FC produced a barnstorming show of attacking football against south London rivals Meridian VP last weekend to clinch their place in the Southern Counties East play-offs and a tilt at promotion to the premier division.
A good crowd turned out at the Lindsey Field with the Grasshoppers junior football club Under-7’s team providing mascots and vociferous support for the ‘Lydders’ last home league game of the season.
The Grasshoppers team is part of Romney Marsh Community Football with youth teams starting with Under 6’s covering the entire youth sections to Under 18’s, and will shortly be announcing an official merger with Lydd Town FC for the 2023-24 season.
It took just two minutes for Lydd to serve notice of their intentions when Richard Atkins headed home from a short corner routine and a pinpoint cross from Josh Hastings.
Meridian keeper Zach Beedon was the busiest man on the pitch as Lydd piled on the pressure with Harry Alexander and Josh Hastings causing problems down both flanks before Kenny Pogue spotted the Meridian keeper off his line and lobbed the ball from his own half to score number two in the 38th minute.
Lydd came flying out of the blocks as the second half started with Richard Atkins intercepting a poor clearance and laying the ball on a plate for Luke Burdon to steer home.
With astute substitutions from the manager, Mickey Doyle, three quickly became five with goals from Jack Price and Troy Howard before Tim Babington powered the ball home for number six.
In the dying moments, skipper Ryan Smith slotted the ball through to Luke Burdon who cheekily chipped the keeper for Lydd’s seventh.
With Lydd totally dominating the game, credit goes to Meridian keeper Zach Beedon whose valiant efforts between the posts were the only reason the ‘Lydders’ didn’t score more, a point not lost on manager Mickey Doyle who said: “We could have scored more, but we go into the play-off with a victory and confidence is high. We started well and maintained the pressure throughout the ninety minutes. We have a very good squad of 16 players and it showed with three subs getting on the scoresheet.
“It was a great day for the club and a wonderful way to celebrate our merger with the Grasshoppers youth team. Having them there as mascots made it a great way to finish the regular season.”
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .