Matchday Two - 5-4 Win VS Sheila's Wheels
James Pugh's five goal frenzy inspired TTFE in an astonishing comeback to beat title chasers Sheila's Wheels.
Perceptions in football often have more power than people give them credit for. Points clearly state the winners from the losers, but it is not often that Watford can challenge Manchester United for the Premiership, so perceptions keep battles relative and more on an even keel. If Watford can secure a draw against the Mancunian giants, that is most definitely a point earned not two points lost. Last week, whilst it might have been fair to grab a point, we could look back and see it as two points most definitely lost because we competed to win, and the points were there for the taking. Perceptions bring realism into the game plan, give hope for another day on deserved hammerings and bring shame when points are lost to teams which should never conquered you.
On the approach to the game, the opposition were on fire in their first game and took the league top spot. A point in this game might have been appreciated on the basis of this game. As the game began however, it was anybody's game. Perceptions are then thrown out of the window - thoughts of 'we are holding them this long' make you think that a win is on the cards. The game was full of nerves and completely unattractive to the crowd, as it consisted of long shots, heavy defensive play and limited risk-taking. When TTFE began to play some better football, including some 1-2 passes and positive runs, especially from temporary player Karl, it was this which became their undoing. They conceded after a sloppy error, but then soon after conceded once more, after being caught out on a good move on the break. Sheila's Wheels then piled on the pressure, getting nearer and nearer to the goal now they had a foot in the door, and TTFE fought to get back into the game. Although the defence were above average in their defending and some good saves were forced, it was 2-0 at the break and the lads were in trouble. Mainly because they just didn't look like scoring.
After the interval the lads tried to up their game but straight away were left breathless as immediately the opposition struck from the halfway line and scored. TTFE claimed that they hadn't heard a whistle and that they were not ready. Firstly the referee was in two minds whether to give us the benefit of the doubt, but he eventually decided that he did indeed fail to open the game and the goal was disallowed. A lucky escape for TTFE who, despite the error of the referee, looked nowhere near ready to resume the game. After that moment of chance, TTFE fell victim to the attack once more in chasing the scoreline. They left a man unmarked, and he gave Dave Weller no chance in hell with a fierce shot at goal. 3-0 now and TTFE must have thought that a point in this game would have been the best they could do. But after some dogged play and stick-at-it-edness Pugh found the breakthrough to make it 3-1. It seemed like a goal to spare the blushes of a side who just couldn't find the net that night. But it actually opened the floodgates to a goal bonanza, courtesy of the same man, James Pugh. The opposition just lost all shape and defence after the first, and Pugh continued to appear in dangerous places unmarked and slotted home with a cool head. Pugh even scored on a single run on one occasion, to give an example of this transformation. Sheila's Wheels replied again, but by this point no-one at all knew what was going on. We thought we were fighting for pride, but Pugh just kept scoring. After a controversial goal to nick it however, we just didn't know whether the referee was going to announce TTFE as the victors. The opposition called a sub and went ahead with it, but the referee did not acknowledge it all. Weller throw the ball as normal and Pugh picked up as normal. Pugh was thinking of stopping (as most of us were) but soon we realised no whistle had been blown, so then TTFE screamed 'Play on', so we did. Pugh virtually walked the ball to the net past a protesting Sheila's Wheels side who were adamant of their call for a substitution. With the goal given (and in my personal recollection, only a draw secured when actually we were winning) we shut up shop. With a tense few moments left, we held on for the win.
So with that remarkable victory in mind, maybe next week we can only expect a win. Next week TTFE face HBFC, the bottom side who we have a 100% record against, not to mention a side who differ in form drastically to ours. The perception here is that 3 points here is a must. But we must also air with caution, for as we learnt on the pitch - perception is left on the sidelines as you take the pitch. When you get down to the game and all the nitty-gritty of it, its anyone's for the taking. HBFC will know that this Sunday.
