Rouge Bruise Oranges

Saturday 19 April 2008


TPFC 1 -2 All Nations Centre



4th from bottom, TPFC had All Nations in their sights this week. The last meeting between these two teams was on the 1st December where the Oranges triumphed with a 7-1 win. Steve Speroni was man of the match, and it saw perhaps the goal of the season from Dan Spinola's spectacular 25 yard strike.

This week Dan Spinola was not available for selection, and Steve (Maverick) Speroni was called to the mid-field with Trevor Lindsay slipping on the rather unorthodox gardening gloves!

The Oranges faced a renewed All Nations, who fielded a much larger squad than the last game, and included some new talent up front. TPFC started strongly despite only fielding ten men, and tested the Red's unsettled defence.

Sam Ranthe, a new addition to the Oranges already 30-strong 'squad' proved to be a valuable find. He toyed with his opposite full-back and frustrated the All Nation's mid-field to good effect throughout the game.

TPFC were clearly fired up for this game, and continued to pressure the All Nation's stuttering defence. Ferris Lindsay showing he still has a fine touch and a fierce strike, as he turned on one foot and fired a long range shot into the far corner of the Reds goal.

Although buoyed by the early super-strike, the Oranges knew that a huge task lay ahead. Not only did they need to win, they needed to maintain an exemplary discipline record to steer the course to the coveted crown of the behavioural league!

The Orange's pressure seemed to have a positive effect on the All Nations squad, stepping up their game through their new striker. The Red's looked for their opener through clinical passing and dangerous crossing. The first wave of attack came from a Red's corner, with their centre-forward whipping the ball towards the near post. Thankfully the workhorse Andy Owen was there to clear the ball, not once, but twice, with the second effort just narrowly headed over the bar to cries of 'almost your first goal of the season!' - he 'had it covered' to borrow a phrase from Mr. Seaman.

All Nations continued their attack and were rewarded with a scrappy goal. TPFC failing to clear the ball, with the Red's solid mid-fielder burying the ball from close range.

Determined to keep hold of the game, TPFC upped their game, only to be disappointed with another scrappy goal. The Orange's defence again failing to clear a messy ball.

Half-time came too soon, with shouts of disbelief when the TPFC skipper Nick Speroni advised the Red's that the Oranges only had ten men.

The second half was a typical story of the grit and determination the fans have come to expect. Trevor Lindsay putting in some fine saves despite suffering from his on-going groin strain (surely these Lindsay boys are bionic?!).

Steve (Maverick) Speroni then suffered a cruel injury when the largest man on the pitch decided to stand on Steve's ankle in the goal mouth. Unflinching Steve was carried off to leave TPFC down to just 9 men.


Even with the depleted force, the Oranges bravely fought on, with Steve coming back on through the pain, and proving himself as TPFC's iron man!


Full time, and the Oranges were disappointed to lose 2-1, but happy in the knowledge that they had maintained their 10 out of 10 record for behaviour, and once again proved they can match any team in the league.

Man of the Match - Trevor Lindsay