With an available team of 14, manager Daron Smith ended up having to reprise his role as stand in goalkeeper with four players failing to show. Despite the massive setback spirits were high amongst the squad which carried over to the kick off.

Meon started brightly but had to keep organised across the back five if they were going to get through the full 90 and be able to take something away from the game. An early chance for S. Hargraves saw MMM almost take the lead after being played in round the back by D. Boyle however his shot on goal went narrowly passed the post.

With the midfield battling for possession O. Brown and P. Johnson linked up well to break down the left and combined effectively to contain Wicor when tracking back. Across the back defenders L. Brown and P. Chivers broke down the Wicor Mill forwards while M. Hassan and P. Smith provided an outlet on the right and left with D. Smith calling instructions.

A momentary lapse in concentration in the 18th minute saw Wicor Mill’s centre forward allowed to run through the middle and finish low to the right of goal to give them the lead. The chance came as a result of a miscommunication at the back which saw the forward go past three defenders without a single challenge being made.

Shortly after the restart Meon were right back in the game in the 23rd minute after winning a corner which S. Hargraves went across to take. With the ball whipped in excellently by Hargraves the ball was just begging to be put in with L. Brown and P. Smith nearly connecting which prompted a frantic scramble to get clear before F. Wilson got a decisive touch to knock the ball over the line and bring Meon level.

Wicor then came back with a quick attack however their forward went to make his run a little too early and was beaten by the offside trap. As the half went on Meon started to move the ball around well and with some quick feet from G. Jewell were moving the ball forward well to ease the pressure on the defence.

After going into the half time break at 1:1 manager and stand in goalkeeper, D. Smith gave a very tactical team talk which set the team up well going into the second half. Some excellent hold up play by F. Wilson helped players make the runs to get up in support however the game nearly turned on its head in the 70th minute when a challenge in the MMM area by Hassan saw a Wicor Mill forward go down for penalty. Up stepped their regular penalty taker who looked confident in the run up however after maybe being put off by D Smith's delaying tactics leaned back when he connected with the ball and saw his shot go high over the bar.

Having been let off by the penalty miss, Meon tried to capitalise and very nearly took the lead when F. Wilson found himself one on one with the keeper from 30 yards after a failed clearance. Wilson spotted the keeper off his line and went for the lob however his effort went narrowly wide to the left of the goal and score remained level in the 75th minute.

The best chance to win the game for MMM eventually came in the 80th minute when S. Hargraves completely outsprinted his man on the right wing and carved open a huge gap for P. Johnson to get into the six yard box as Hargraves squared across. Johnson slid in and connected well but the keeper pulled off a great save to keep the ball out.

As the minutes ticked down Meon nearly had a penalty shout of their own in the 83rd minute when P. Johnson took the ball down the left wing and cut into the box before knocking the ball passed the Wicor Mill defender. Confident he would be able to run by Johnson was held up by a stray elbow and went down however the referee wasn’t convinced and play continued.

Going into the 89th minute Meon were given a scare of their own when the ball got played up to the Wicor Mill forward who attempted to steal a yard on defender from P. Smith by giving him a nudge off the ball which the referee failed to spot. Smith then brought the forward down close to the edge of the area prompting an animated reaction from the Wicor Mill side-line who were appealing for a penalty. After some deliberation the referee was not being swayed by the crowd and made the decision to award the Wicor Mill forward a free kick.

Once play was underway again the cross came into the box however bounced out to safety before D. Smith played the ball out from a goal kick and the referee blew for full-time. A hard earned point for both sides however overall a fair result and with a return game to be played in the league along with a cup final this could make for a very interesting end to the season.