Saturday 26 January 2008: Wanstead Flats
Writers: Nathanael and Calvin
Tollington Park set out this Saturday with a point to prove after the last games shambles against Ecclesia. This weeks challenge was a somewhat daunting, a tough challenge at “home” to top of the table Camberwell, a team who, according to our new self-acclaimed Stat Boy (Ian) scored 4.7 goals every game (yes that’s right 4.7… not sure how that one works 
Ian?!).News had broken in the last week that TP’s goal machine, Ferris, had been taken seriously ill on Monday with a brain haemorage and was currently recovering in hospital. Ian (Boss) used this to motivate the team reminding them… “it’s only football and we’re out he’re to enjoy ourselves – there are far more important things in life.” – defying Bill Shankly’s wise words! A team prayer for Ferris took place before the match.
After the boss’s reshuffle, a number of players found themselves in new positions. Andy, was started in the centre of a 5 man midfield, Daniel being given the chance on his own up front, supported by two wide men, Nathanael and Calvin (probably the greatest wingers (and bloggers) ever to grace the proud Orange of Tollington Park!).
The team started with a positive attitude and looked to take the game to Camberwell in the first few minutes. However, Camberwell gradually began to dominate possession, forcing some excellent defending from the solid central defensive pair of Ian and Samuel, who were ably supported by Dwayne and Dave the full-backs who worked tirelessly against Camberwell’s tricky wingers. Camberwell’s constant pressure left Daniel up front with few opportunities, as the midfield were having to drop in support of the defence.
As the half went on, TP’s defence held strong, restricting Camberwell to very few clear cut chances although TP themselves were forced to play on the counter attack, winning two corners in the first half.
Nick found himself unable to play his favoured attacking role, but as usual put in a solid performance as he looked to cope with the Camberwell pressure in the midfield, alongside Eddie and Andy cutting out many attacks before they reached the penalty area.
After all the hard work, Tollington Park were unlucky to concede a goal just before half time. It came when a ball was played over the top towards the byeline, Samuel chased back, using his solid build (chunky monkey!) to muscle off the oncoming striker. He turned on the ball to find himself with few options, and delayed his clearance. The striker capitalised on this, winning the ball and passing the ball towards the penalty spot, leaving his team-mate to finish. This was unlucky for Samuel as it was arguably his only mistake of the game.
Soon after this, the half time whistle blew. TP didn’t let the goal get to them, and were in good spirit during half time, believing that they could still take something from the game. Andy was taken off during the interval after a strong performance in midfield, to be replaced by the substitute, Adam, who was playing only his second game for the club.
Tollington Park played the second half into the wind, making their task more difficult and began on the backfoot. A defensive clearance fell to a Camberwell midfield who hit a cracking low drive from 25 yards, the shot seemed destined for the bottom corner, but then an absolutely fantastic diving save from Steve in goal tipped it onto post. This seemed to give TP added belief that the game was not over.
As the half went on, TP’s defence held strong, restricting Camberwell to very few clear cut chances although TP themselves were forced to play on the counter attack, winning two corners in the first half.
Nick found himself unable to play his favoured attacking role, but as usual put in a solid performance as he looked to cope with the Camberwell pressure in the midfield, alongside Eddie and Andy cutting out many attacks before they reached the penalty area.
After all the hard work, Tollington Park were unlucky to concede a goal just before half time. It came when a ball was played over the top towards the byeline, Samuel chased back, using his solid build (chunky monkey!) to muscle off the oncoming striker. He turned on the ball to find himself with few options, and delayed his clearance. The striker capitalised on this, winning the ball and passing the ball towards the penalty spot, leaving his team-mate to finish. This was unlucky for Samuel as it was arguably his only mistake of the game.
Soon after this, the half time whistle blew. TP didn’t let the goal get to them, and were in good spirit during half time, believing that they could still take something from the game. Andy was taken off during the interval after a strong performance in midfield, to be replaced by the substitute, Adam, who was playing only his second game for the club.
Tollington Park played the second half into the wind, making their task more difficult and began on the backfoot. A defensive clearance fell to a Camberwell midfield who hit a cracking low drive from 25 yards, the shot seemed destined for the bottom corner, but then an absolutely fantastic diving save from Steve in goal tipped it onto post. This seemed to give TP added belief that the game was not over.
A second goal from Camberwell soon after came as a setback to TP, it came from a corner which was pushed away by Steve, but only as far as the penalty spot… a goalmouth scramble ensued, which ended up with the ball being poked into the back of the net.
As the second half continued, the defence remained strong, whilst the attack improved, with some fast flowing counter-attacks, reminiscent of Arsenal’s beautiful football!
Some hard work and a tussle from Daniel in the centre circle saw Calvin pick up the ball, putting Nathanael through on the keeper. However, a questionable decision from the referee saw play brought back for a free kick as Daniel was adjudged to have committed a foul in the centre circle.
A dangerous attack was cleared as far as Nick who put in a high hanging ball towards the keeper, who was put under pressure by TP’s very own Theo Walcott (Calvin) who was unlucky to miss the target hitting the rising ball early following the suspect keepers fumble. A goal here would have given TP a real possibility of snatching a surprise point from the game.
The last 10 minutes saw TP show some real determination and a great work ethic, with the whole team pulling their weight. Steve was called into action on a number of occassions, pulling off some fine saves, to keep TP in the game. The game ended 2-0 and TP walked off with their heads held high, delighted with the team effort despite not taking points from the game.
Dave wore the captain’s armband for the match in the absence of John, and his hard tackling and high work rate was an example to the whole team.
To choose a Man of the Match from this game was difficult as the whole team put in a great effort, and the judges (Calvin and Nat) were torn between TP’s Peter Schmiechel in the making, and our experienced rock in defence, Tony Adams! In the end it was decided to award it to both players! Well done Ian and Steve!
P.S. The pre-match banter was dominated by the recent defeat of Arsenal by Tottenham in the Carling Cup (yes, hard as it is to believe, Tottenham really did beat Arsenal… their first win over the Gunners since 1999 (or is it just their first win in general since then… its hard to know with Tottenham!!!)) Enjoy it while it lasts any Spurs fans out there…
Now for a win next week against ELT!
crowd 7 , Linda, Natatie, Keziah, Sonia, Marcus, Owen & Adriell
As the second half continued, the defence remained strong, whilst the attack improved, with some fast flowing counter-attacks, reminiscent of Arsenal’s beautiful football!
Some hard work and a tussle from Daniel in the centre circle saw Calvin pick up the ball, putting Nathanael through on the keeper. However, a questionable decision from the referee saw play brought back for a free kick as Daniel was adjudged to have committed a foul in the centre circle.
A dangerous attack was cleared as far as Nick who put in a high hanging ball towards the keeper, who was put under pressure by TP’s very own Theo Walcott (Calvin) who was unlucky to miss the target hitting the rising ball early following the suspect keepers fumble. A goal here would have given TP a real possibility of snatching a surprise point from the game.
The last 10 minutes saw TP show some real determination and a great work ethic, with the whole team pulling their weight. Steve was called into action on a number of occassions, pulling off some fine saves, to keep TP in the game. The game ended 2-0 and TP walked off with their heads held high, delighted with the team effort despite not taking points from the game.
Dave wore the captain’s armband for the match in the absence of John, and his hard tackling and high work rate was an example to the whole team.
To choose a Man of the Match from this game was difficult as the whole team put in a great effort, and the judges (Calvin and Nat) were torn between TP’s Peter Schmiechel in the making, and our experienced rock in defence, Tony Adams! In the end it was decided to award it to both players! Well done Ian and Steve!
P.S. The pre-match banter was dominated by the recent defeat of Arsenal by Tottenham in the Carling Cup (yes, hard as it is to believe, Tottenham really did beat Arsenal… their first win over the Gunners since 1999 (or is it just their first win in general since then… its hard to know with Tottenham!!!)) Enjoy it while it lasts any Spurs fans out there…
Now for a win next week against ELT!
crowd 7 , Linda, Natatie, Keziah, Sonia, Marcus, Owen & Adriell
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