In sweltering conditions, Thamesmead Town showed tremendous character and mental strength to overcome the odds and not only keep the club’s unbeaten Ryman One North record in tact but also go top of the table.

Now one of only two teams unbeaten in the division (Bury Town are the other with two wins and two draws), the Mead top the fledgling table with ten points after coming from behind after AFC Hornchurch’s early controversial award of a penalty. The visitors equaliser had a bit of luck about it in truth when Jay Porter’s near perfect cross was headed into his own net by AFC Hornchurch’s skipper Elliot Styles, before having to play the final quarter with ten men after Jack Barry was shown a straight red card for a “challenge” with Tobi Joseph.

Indeed in the final analysis, the Mead’s point was secured by a near miraculous double very late save from Andy Walker who turned back the years to somehow claw the ball away not once but twice whilst lying prone on the floor.

After a very cagey and tight start, the first real action came with the award of a 17th minute penalty for the home side – a decision that infuriated the Mead players as they surrounded the official in protest. David Knight duly stepped up and drilled the ball to Walker’s left.

The Mead then created a couple of half chances as they attempted to get a foot hold – Baff Addae shot across the face of goal from Michael Spencer’s pass – before the visitors got an unexpected helping hand to level. On a rare break, Jay Porter put over a teasing cross from the left and the unlucky / unfortunate Styles sent a diving header wide of Sam Mott in the home goal to level things up.

The second half was more open with chances at both ends. Addae had the opening chance that Mott only blocked before Tyrus Gordon-Young followed up into the side netting, before Porter sent in a drive that Mott could only parry and when the ball was played back in Barry’s header flew across the face of goal.

The home side (through sub George Purcell) then produced the pass of the game with a stunning 50 yard angled cross field pass to Knight who advanced into the box only to scoop the shot over as Walker narrowed the angle.

The game then turned against the Mead when Barry and Joseph clashed and with the home player in a heap, referee Myatt produced a straight red card for the Mead defender much to the disgust of many of those dressed in green and white. With a man advantage and a quarter of the game to go, it of immense credit to the remaining Mead players that they kept their shape and composure in the scorching conditions to restrict the home side to two openings.

From the first, Junior Luke’s free far post header was cleared off the line by Lewis Dark – Purcell blasting the rebound high and wide – whilst the second certainly brought the games main talking point if not the save of the season. The ball was played into the box and with the ball ricocheting all over the place, Walker made a stunning reflex save and when the ball threatened to rebound into the net, somehow a prone Mead keeper managed to claw the ball away to safety.

Despite the claims for the home side that the ball had crossed the line, the referee waved play on and the final whistle was blown after another seven nervy chanceless minutes of stoppage time had been played to seal the point that took the Mead to the top of the “Round 4” table…

Mead – Walker, Azaiya (Gorbell), Porter, Fairweather-Johnson (Anidugbe), Barry, Hallam, Butler, Dark, Gordon-Young, Addae, Spencer (Uwezo)

Subs – Everett and Omand