Sam Whitfield’s second-half header settled a tight League Cup tie under the Kingsway Park lights and sent Meridian into the third round for the first time in four seasons.
Halbrook, two divisions below, defended in numbers and had the better of the first half. Iversen saved from Deane on 23 minutes and Marchetti hit the bar from a corner on the stroke of half-time.
The goal
It came on 63 minutes. Reid’s corner was headed back across goal by Bekele and Whitfield, unmarked at the far post, nodded in from a yard. It was his first goal in the competition.
“Cup ties against lower-league sides are about patience. We did not panic at half-time and we got what we deserved.”
Rafael Duarte, head coach
Notes
- Tom Ellery made his first-team debut from the bench.
- Meridian are in the third round for the first time since 2022.
- The third-round draw is on Monday evening.
Attention returns to the league with the visit of Stanground on Saturday.
