Matchday Two - 9-1 Loss VS Leave My ArcelonaA promising first half resistance against Leave My Arcelona was not enough to stop a goal glut from the title favourites.The scoreline may seem rather flattering to the opposition, but TTFE were definitely alive and kicking in what looked to be a spirited performance from a depleted side. The team were without Dale Thomas due to a prior engagement and the long suffering Paul Preece, who still is yet to play on the Gol pitch in a TTFE shirt due to his current foot injury. The lads therefore grabbed Billy Collins from the QVR as a temporary replacement.
The game began brightly for both sides, with positive passing and plenty of opportunities on goal. Although LMA were the most dominant side, they failed to put away their chances and an awesome goalkeeping display by Weller was placing TTFE firmly in the game. Of course, prior to the match LMA had destroyed Zymotic 15-0, so their credentials needed not to be proven against our lads. They were quick, good with the ball and their finishing was superb. LMA went 1-0 up, but TTFE did not falter just yet. The lads responded with a goal courtesy of Payne, tapped in from a rebounded shot. Despite the signs of this resembling some sort of a revival spurring TTFE back into action, LMA had upped the tempo and made sure of the defensive errors in our heroes' formation. TTFE soon began to lose the flow of the game through fatigue and a slow-witted reaction to a well-organised side. Half time arrived and the score was 6-1.
By now Chris Phillips has already walked off due to a foot injury, placing him on the already over-crowded casuality list for at least two weeks. TTFE opted for a more defensive approach in the second half by playing the lone striker and adopting a counter attack. At first, this had payed off as a goal drought plagued both sides for 10 minutes into the half. However fitness was again a problem, allowing LMA back into their powerful stride, sweeping the hapless TTFE aside into the footballing gutter. They pounced on several opportunites and took their chances much more cleanly. They scored 3 more and made it a total of 9. Despite this 'hammering' the lads did give LMA a good game (we hope to say anyway) and made them work for their impressive victory.
Dave Weller, our ball stopper, text me this after the game:
"Tell the lads not to be too hard done by. The only reason the score was high is due to our lack of fitness, thats all. We were holding them at 1-1 until 15 minutes. We kept up with them. The more games we play, the more stamina we have."
So lads take note. I hope this will pick your heads up after this display, because we know we can bounce back from this and play some good football.
Goals: Payne 1.
Goals Tally: Payne 2, Phillips 1.
Results Roundup: Only three games tonight, as four is the new norm in this newly formed eight team league. This second win for
Leave My Arcelona means they stay top and more than likely, will stay there for the duration of the season. Not to count my chickens before they hatch however, as the
South Glamorgan Saints also kept a 100% with a 15-5 win over
Zymotic, keeping them right behind the leaders. Zymotic have so far warmed to the bottom place after conceding a massive 30 goals in their first two games.
Inter Mynachdy got their first win over new side
Curzon FC in a 13-1 goal blitz. Curzon FC will hope to get a better result against TTFE this Sunday. The other addition to the league,
Jay FC, are yet to play.
Total Teamwear FC also failed to play last week but it did them no harm as they simply retain their 100% record.
Next Week's Fixtures:
Curzon FC VS
TTFETotal Teamwear VS Zymotic
Jay FC VS South Glamorgan Saints
Jay FC VS Inter Mynachdy
South Glamorgan Saints VS Leave My Arcelona
