Matchday Five - 11-1 Loss VS Inter Mynachdy

TTFE failed to add to their unbeaten streak as they were pounded by title hopefuls Inter Mynachdy.

In a game which was promising in the first half with spells of resilience from TTFE, the game took a bad turn in the second half as the might of their opponents proved to be too strong. At half time the score was 4-0 and although they were rattled at times, they were never in any danger of losing control of the game. Payne grabbed a late goal but by then the game was well and truly decided.

Goals: Payne 1.

Goals Tally: Payne 3, Phillips 1, Collins 1, Jenkins 1, Thomas 1, Pugh 1.

Matchday Four - 2-1 Win VS Jay FC (Name Change to Swifts FC)

A TTFE comeback with goals courtesy of James Pugh and Dale Thomas brought home their first-ever competitive win in all competitions.

Appropriately on the same weekend as the FA Cup Final in the Millennium Stadium, TTFE had their own FA Final to play as they had raised expectations after achieving some real progress. The draw in the previous week against Curzon FC was the first point we had ever earned in a competitive league, and the lads were keen to build upon this feat with something that has been out of their reach in the past - their first league win.

The side was still missing their charismatic captain, Chris Phillips, down to a toe injury and on -loan Billy Collins was unable to attend this week due to a prior engagement. Nonetheless TTFE fielded a strong side with all other regulars getting a game. The match began with both sides making a determined effort to get goals. However it was TTFE who controlled the game with quick bursts down the flanks and clever usage of the boards. TTFE also should have been 1-0 up early in the first half as a deflected shot came to Jenkins on the edge of the box and despite an open goal, their defence was enough to force his shot onto the post. This missed opportunity however came to haunt the lads as a fierce shot from the left wing into near post of keeper Weller had touched net. TTFE were once more on the back foot and had to take chances if they wanted back into the game. In credit to our lads, we continued to make opportunities and defend hard to keep the game at 1-0 until half time.

The second half was time for TTFE to push their way back on top. TTFE fielded their most attacking-minded side of Jenkins, Pugh, Payne and Thomas as sweeper in a bid to pull one back. The might of those three attacking supremos was pretty menacing, but they failed hit the mark in the first five minutes or so. Then, out of nowhere, Dale Thomas had become Franz Beckenbauer and dribbled the ball right through the middle of the field. He just about passed the half way mark and then unleashed a shot like lightening into the top right-hand corner, hitting the net and leaving the keeper for dead. That screamer had marked a comeback and had become a serious contender for TTFE Goal of the Season all-in-one!. Now the game was alive, Payne showered the opposing goal with shot upon shot from the left wing but it was to no avail. The lads also seemed fatigued and in need of determination. The lack of movement was seriously jeopardising the team's chances of getting another goal and even opened up the way for one to be conceded. The lads however picked themselves up and realised that it was all to play for. After a series of missed opportunities, James Pugh was plucky enough to beat a defender and force the ball into the top left hand corner to score his first of the season. GOAL! And with only eight minutes to go, the lads had to do something they have never succeeded in doing - holding a lead!

Just as the attacking formation had been played, now TTFE adopted a defensive strategy. Newbury, Thomas and Preece took up the defensive roles whilst Payne stayed up front. With some last ditch defending we managed to hold off the opposing attack. And that was it. Our FIRST WIN!

Goals: Thomas 1, Pugh 1.

Goals Tally: Payne 2, Phillips 1, Collins 1, Jenkins 1, Thomas 1, Pugh 1.

Results Roundup: Curzon FC also grabbed their first win of the season and keep the pressure on TTFE with a 3-1 win over winless Zymotic. In the top of the table clash, Total Teamwear FC were well-beaten by the Sunday Division One juggernauts, Leave My Arselona by a handsome 9 goals to 3. South Glamorgan Saints were also defeated by Inter Mynachdy, who have now put together an impressive three match winning streak after this emphatic 11-4 win.

Fixtures for Next week:

South Glamorgan Saints VS Total Teamwear FC

Inter Mynachdy VS TTFE

Zymotic VS Swifts FC

Curzon FC VS Leave My Arselona

South Glamorgan Saints face another tough challenge from Total Teamwear FC, who hope to bounce back after their defeat to the table leaders. Zymotic and Swifts FC (previously Jay FC) will be battling for their first win of the season in their bottom of the table clash. Curzon FC, who have just crossed that winning barrier, will beat the odds if grab another win against Leave My Arselona. TTFE have a tricky fixture against Inter Mynachdy who look solid after destroying three teams in their path. Will TTFE have the firepower to make it two wins in a row?

Matchday Three - 2-2 Draw VS Curzon FC

TTFE have earnt their first ever point in all competitions after a tight, low scoring showdown at Gol Pitch number four.

False dawns in the past have only agitated the TTFE lads when approaching winnable games, but perhaps the thought of not knowing has greater effect. After all respect is demanded on the pitch just as much as off it - those who have heard the term 'pride before a fall' will know exactly the point being made here. The simple fact is that we know very little about our opponents and maybe it is best we keep it this way, despite the curosity of knowing your opposition to aid your effort.

Curzon FC took a 13-1 beating last week against Inter Mynachdy, but that was not an accurate reflection of this strong squad. For a start, they came in with a good number of players, which is sometimes essential in 5-a-side. They also played with confidence, not to metion they were big hitters in front of goal.

The match therefore was to be a tough one. It was not helped by Phillips taking his leave with a toe injury and the news that this one-game-off-duty was one of many to come. On a brighter note, Paul Preece made his return to the team for his Gol debut. Billy Collins was able to play once more to boost the team sheet to a full eight. It was a nervous start for both sides as each of them could not grab hold of the possession significantly for themselves, making the ball going go and forth between goal to goal. But the TTFE faithful were given hope of their first win as Dale Thomas describes on his blog:

The match was goalless for ages until TTFE took the lead.

It was Collins who made the breakthrough, but unfortunately he had to leave the pitch as his glasses had broken in an aerial scrap for the ball. Of course he was was gutted, it goes without saying. But he had the TTFE spirit - he played on! It wasn't long until the opposition struck back and ensured a tense second half with the scores levelled at 1-1.

The second half however became a rather uglyer affair. The play was sluggish from both sides and passes were going astray. Curzon had a lot more of the ball and looked the more dangerous of the teams. Preece came on in the second half along with Pugh who arrived after kick off. It was a mish mash of positioning from all the players; one particular example was the mutli-talented (well he would like to think so!) Dale Thomas being striker, defender and winger during different periods on the pitch. Despite the rotational efforts, the pressure imposed by Curzon was not in vain. They grabbed another and looked to be on top. Heads went down, extra energy reserves needed to be tapped into to get back into contention. Just when the self-destruct button seemed to pushed, Jenkins shrugged off two defenders and scored in a determined effort. At 2-2 hope was restored - but now Curzon still had the better chances, forcing keeper Weller to pull off some acrobatics to keep the game alive. With both sides unable to convert their chances in the dying minutes they earned themselves a deserved point.

Goals: Collins 1, Jenkins 1.

Goal Tally: Payne 2, Phillips 1, Collins 1, Jenkins 1.

Results Roundup: Zymotic have not only failed to win this season, but have so far in their first three games they have conceded an average of 14-15 in each. Their misery continued with a 14-1 thumping courtesy of Total Teamwear FC, who consolidated their top 4 status with such a victory. Inter Mynachdy also widened the gap between the bottom half and the top half with a 5-2 win over new boys Jay FC, who now have to contend with a one point deduction after failing to fufill a fixture last week. In perhaps the top-of-the-table clash of the evening, the South Glamorgan Saints could not overpower the mighty Leave My Arselona, as they lost 8-2.

Fixtures for next week: Arranged very appropriately, next week's fixtures will see sides play opponents from the same half of the table. TTFE have Jay FC, who currently occupy bottom place with (-1) points. Zymotic will play Curzon FC, which could see one of these teams grab their first win of the season. 3rd and 4th placed Inter Mynachdy and South Glamorgan Saints fight off to keep on the heels of the leading two teams, Total Teamwear FC and Leave My Arselona, who oddly enough, are also playing themselves in a bid to become the current table leader with a crucial three point advantage.

TTFE V Jay FC

Zymotic V Curzon FC

Inter Mynachdy V South Glamorgan Saints

Total Teamwear FC V Leave My Arselona

Matchday Two - 9-1 Loss VS Leave My Arcelona

A 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 TTFE

Total Teamwear VS Zymotic

Jay FC VS South Glamorgan Saints

Jay FC VS Inter Mynachdy

South Glamorgan Saints VS Leave My Arcelona