Matchday Nine - 9-1 Loss VS Leave My ArselonaA deserved victory for table leaders Leave My Arselona condemned TTFE to their second consectutive defeat.In retrospect, it was hardly surprising that the result went this way when you consider the run of form both sides have shown. TTFE have failed to beat top four opposition at any time this season, whilst Leave My Arselona have confidently destroyed every side the league has had to offer by winning all of their games so far. But the earlier reversed fixture of this tie was perhaps one of TTFE's finest games. Despite the irony that the score mimics their previous encounter, it is only the scoreline alone is the similairity between the two fixtures. In their first game TTFE shown real guile and determation and even attempted to break form guides with an early goal. Of course, the current leaders went on to dominate the game, but the lads put on a performance which displayed real promise of improvement. We now know that in the following game TTFE picked up their first point in all competitions by drawing 2-2 with Curzon FC (now Real Zarargos) and then propelled the team into a mid table position. Sadly if we return the present, this game exemplifies that the future is much less certain.
In this game, TTFE played a lot more poorly in comparison. If anything is certain, they certainly weren't at their best - in game which they needed to be their best to hold their own. The 5-0 lead at half time was well-deserved; indeed, it could have been a lot more. But not to discredit the lads too much, it was clear that the opposition had improved since the last meeting. They created some brilliant chances with some smooth play exposing the space left by TTFE. A particular failure of TTFE was to get the basics of passing and dribbling sorted. The addition of Matt Pride for this tie was certainly enlightening, however he often looked lost in a attack which could not support him. The link up play he offered however was a breath of fresh air for the team, as since the game against Zymotic, the team have relied on opportunies, or mistakes the opposition has made, for their main source of goals. Pride brought a refreshing option to the TTFE game plan and it is shown in their only goal of the evening, with Pride being the provider. Jenkins made sure he slotted home the best opportunity he receieved all night, as the goal would at least aviod the tie being a total whitewash.
To raise positives, TTFE found their feet and started to run off the ball a lot more. It was a shame that they began to do it more against an superb side of man markers, who cut off little space for manoveur and movement. The TTFE defence was tight and was strong - but was often disjointed, not to mention it was guilty of ball watching on many occasions. However it was certainly in good effect at times to stop this game turning into a massacre. Of course we must refer to the keeper - Billy Collins in the wake of Dave Weller's absence - in keeping the game respectable. He made a good show in goal and had a handful in organising the defence.
Two things can be stated about the first encounter between these teams which can go hand and hand. Firstly, TTFE had displayed a spirited performance against the projected champions and secondly, that very game may have had a catalytic effect on their elevation from the table's ground zero. But in this second fixture in which TTFE which looked sluggish and disorientated, will this game possess a omen in regards to their future fixtures?
Goals: Jenkins 1.
Goal Tally: Payne 4, Jenkins 4, Thomas 3, Collins 2, Pugh 2, Phillips 1.
