Mealing's hat-trick helps Heathens emerge victorious in top-of-the-table clash

Marcus Mealing was pleased to see Flackwell Heath emerge victorious in their top-of-the-table clash against Milton United on Saturday, with the striker certainly playing his part in the triumph.

At Potash Lane, Mealing was on target three times, with Jack Shakespeare also on the scoresheet, as the Heathens won 4-1.

The victory is the side’s 10th of the Combined Counties Premier Division North season and strengthens their place in second.

Flackwell Heath could have risen to the top of the table if they defeated league leaders Rayners Lane night on Tuesday night but due to a waterlogged pitch the fixture was called off.

Mealing said: “It was a very impressive win against a good side that are also in the mix for promotion.

“We knew it would be a tough game as it’s not easy place to go to, and they are a well-organised side, they are good at what they do. The message before the game was ‘get something’ – it was second against third, it was important we did get something.

“To be fair, we believed we could get all three points. We slightly changed our shape to attack in a way we thought we be effective for us, and it was. I was delighted to get a hat-trick and add to the goals I have already scored this season. I have been in and out of the team with an injury over the last four weeks so it felt good to get through 80 minutes and do what I could for the team.

“The three goals I scored were so important for us in terms of the timing of them, but that is my job, and the rest of the boys did theirs.”

Mealing added: “It was so big for us to bounce back after dropping two points away at Holyport. Credit to them, they will take points off many other sides this season, no doubt.

“We reacted superbly [against Milton] and showed why we deserve to be where we are.”

Next up for Chris Ayres’ men is a battle with Chalfont St Peter, the side sitting 12th in the table. The Saints most recently defeated Broadfields United, 2-1, after going four league matches without tasting victory.

“With our game against Rayners Lane being called off, we turn our heads to Saturday against Chalfont,” said Mealing. “It’s another tough game against a great group of players and a manager I know well. They will be up for it but so will we. We hope to add another three points to our total and be a step closer to where we want to be at the end of the season.”