ELT 4 v 0 TPBCFC
Saturday 29 September 2007
3rd Game in and the first real test of squad depth faces us. With both Centre backs missing, a decision is made to go old school and turn the big men centre backs – Nick & Samuel.
2nd choice Skipper for the day Nick meets the ref in the middle for the toss and is offered 40mins each way – with two full backs in the team from the game played with an odd shaped ball, I was beginning to wonder if we were going to be playing the other kind of football!
However, Nick managed to talk the ref into a 90min game… was this to be a wise choice?
The starting line up featured Ben Cordle, debuting at left back, the returning Andrew, Daniel and Moses and Nathanael starting up front. Eddie had recovered from his hamstring strain the week before, and was partnered in the holding role of midfield by son Aaron.
And with this, TP started the stronger, playing some nice football going forward through Daniel, Dwayne, Aaron and Moses and on numerous occasions nearly finding the right ball through to Nathanael.
At the back, Eddie was picking up the loose balls before they got to the strikers feet, but when they did Samuel was there to win it back. Ben seemed to be the unfortunate one that was picking up the quick winger we have inevitably come to face, but his rugby playing build and drive left the winger so frustrated he would go an swap wings to face the equally solid Andrew.
As the half wore on ELT came back and were finding a bit of space in the final third when a shot was unleashed from the edge of the box that beat the back line to find the net. A second was scored not long after a cross was put in and was met at the far post.
A third was then scored with the last kick of the half after a comedy moment by the brothers Speroni lead to a back pass being pick up and unstoppable free kick being fired in. (Editors Note: Apologies Bro!)
But, there was a feeling going in 0-3 at half time was not a fair reflection of the game. And this was to be shown in the second half. The fighting spirit of TP was again to come out and again, we started the better and showed great potential to get the ball down and play. Nathanael was starting to get the wrong side of defenders, Daniel was able to carry the ball that bit further, Dwayne, Aaron and Moses were getting closer to finding that killer pass. The defence was tightened in front of an ELT player who was more interested in trying to beat the defenders by making them laugh than taking the ball past them, This was encouraged by the rest of ELTs forwards arguing amongst themselves. Even ELT bringing the BIG men on (Nick & Sam volunteering the making of him to the other) couldn’t seem to get them a break through. Steve in goal was, as we have come to expect, playing solidly and taking the inevitable hit to one body part or other. But a 4th did come, although it was hardly memorable!
In all, a 4-0 defeat was an improvement on the 7 conceded the week prior but the first game TP had drawn a blank. The spells of good football and second half defending meant that we are still moving forward as a team. Guts were shown by all, no more than by Ben playing with horrendous blisters.
A difficult decision as man of the match meant a tie between and all action Daniel in the middle was equalled by a gutsy, but still classy, out of position performance by Samuel – although he did plea for a run out up top with Nathanael and did actually take us as close to the goal as we had been in the second half.
Team:
S. Speroni; A. Owen, N. Speroni (C), S. Balogun, B. Cordle; M. Balogun, A. Campbell, E. Campbell, D. Spinola, D. Mitchell; N. Field.
Attendance: ELTs substitutes. Missing: The (apparently) Ian Horward & John Helm Fan Club of Natalie and Naomi!
Writer: Nick Speroni
Saturday 29 September 2007
3rd Game in and the first real test of squad depth faces us. With both Centre backs missing, a decision is made to go old school and turn the big men centre backs – Nick & Samuel.
2nd choice Skipper for the day Nick meets the ref in the middle for the toss and is offered 40mins each way – with two full backs in the team from the game played with an odd shaped ball, I was beginning to wonder if we were going to be playing the other kind of football!
However, Nick managed to talk the ref into a 90min game… was this to be a wise choice?
The starting line up featured Ben Cordle, debuting at left back, the returning Andrew, Daniel and Moses and Nathanael starting up front. Eddie had recovered from his hamstring strain the week before, and was partnered in the holding role of midfield by son Aaron.
And with this, TP started the stronger, playing some nice football going forward through Daniel, Dwayne, Aaron and Moses and on numerous occasions nearly finding the right ball through to Nathanael.
At the back, Eddie was picking up the loose balls before they got to the strikers feet, but when they did Samuel was there to win it back. Ben seemed to be the unfortunate one that was picking up the quick winger we have inevitably come to face, but his rugby playing build and drive left the winger so frustrated he would go an swap wings to face the equally solid Andrew.
As the half wore on ELT came back and were finding a bit of space in the final third when a shot was unleashed from the edge of the box that beat the back line to find the net. A second was scored not long after a cross was put in and was met at the far post.
A third was then scored with the last kick of the half after a comedy moment by the brothers Speroni lead to a back pass being pick up and unstoppable free kick being fired in. (Editors Note: Apologies Bro!)
But, there was a feeling going in 0-3 at half time was not a fair reflection of the game. And this was to be shown in the second half. The fighting spirit of TP was again to come out and again, we started the better and showed great potential to get the ball down and play. Nathanael was starting to get the wrong side of defenders, Daniel was able to carry the ball that bit further, Dwayne, Aaron and Moses were getting closer to finding that killer pass. The defence was tightened in front of an ELT player who was more interested in trying to beat the defenders by making them laugh than taking the ball past them, This was encouraged by the rest of ELTs forwards arguing amongst themselves. Even ELT bringing the BIG men on (Nick & Sam volunteering the making of him to the other) couldn’t seem to get them a break through. Steve in goal was, as we have come to expect, playing solidly and taking the inevitable hit to one body part or other. But a 4th did come, although it was hardly memorable!
In all, a 4-0 defeat was an improvement on the 7 conceded the week prior but the first game TP had drawn a blank. The spells of good football and second half defending meant that we are still moving forward as a team. Guts were shown by all, no more than by Ben playing with horrendous blisters.
A difficult decision as man of the match meant a tie between and all action Daniel in the middle was equalled by a gutsy, but still classy, out of position performance by Samuel – although he did plea for a run out up top with Nathanael and did actually take us as close to the goal as we had been in the second half.
Team:
S. Speroni; A. Owen, N. Speroni (C), S. Balogun, B. Cordle; M. Balogun, A. Campbell, E. Campbell, D. Spinola, D. Mitchell; N. Field.
Attendance: ELTs substitutes. Missing: The (apparently) Ian Horward & John Helm Fan Club of Natalie and Naomi!
Writer: Nick Speroni
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