TTFE VS Goals Aloud 19/03/2006

A few minutes of madness cost TTFE dearly in a evenly matched game against fellow strugglers Goals Aloud.

TTFE have not enjoyed a league victory as yet, but this game was an great opportunity to put some points on the board. Goals Aloud may have won a few games and are well above the TTFE in the league points wise, but when they are compared with the might of the other teams in the division that gap is easily bridged. Both of these teams are strugglers in a league which contains very good teams as well as absolute amateurs, which some may say it ideally should be divided into smaller groupings. TTFE therefore knew that this game was winnable and this raised spirits prior to the game.

Sadly, TTFE failed to meet the tempo of their opposition early on into the game and sustained heavy pressure from a quick attack. Goals Aloud clamped down quickly on TTFE and left little room for manouvre. Within a few moments with defence frailties exposed, TTFE went 2-0 down. Once TTFE changed a few things around the lads played with more confidence. The fight at this stage was at least in the midfield, not dominated in the TTFE half. Happy to hang on until the break, the lads couldn't hold out another effort and ended the half 3-0 down.

The second half was more encouraging; more runs into space, tighter defending and more shots on goal. The game finally turned into a tug of war with each side having a fair share of possession. Nethertheless, our lads couldn't find the net despite some promising efforts. Goals Aloud got the better of the game once and for all and completed a team piece against a now fatigued TTFE. The game ended 4-0.

It may seem a bit of a drubbing and a disappointment, especially as this was the game the lads 'could have won', but in my opinion the game was still encouraging. In 5-a-side it is often that your first goal opens the sluice gates for more and of course, our strikers could not score in this game. The important thing was that they kept the opposition's keeper busy, which they did on a number of occasions. Another thing which was clear from last night's performance was an under-strength team, as we are still missing Paul and we have failed to fill Jon's spot now he has left. Although it remains to be seen whether replacing Jon will be necessary, the option to do so is limited as it has already proven hard to find another willing candidate. Dean has been a recent successful trailist, however he is unabled to commit to the team on a full time basis. In addition to these substitution worries, ill health has gripped a number of the lads and at present, our talisman Chris. To conclude, we really shouldnt be too hard on ourselves when we have to fight the rub of the green; our time will come when the time is right. Its just not now.

EDIT: Due to information I was unaware of, we actually scored a goal through winger Tom. So a big well done to him. Apologies also for missing this out and shaming the team by recording a goalscoring duck! That means we have not lost a league game goalless yet... that is an achievement I suppose!

TTFE-L Fail to Sign McCarthy

After initial promise McCarthy said in a statment "I just cannot give the commitment that TTFE-L requires."

Directors are rumored to be "Disappointed".