Matchday Four - 6-5 Win VS Brookes FCTTFE won a war of the wet conditions by a nose against a spirited Brookes FC side.It wasn't going to be a pretty game by anyone's standards. With two pitches drenched and waterlogged, the playing surface for the suitable pitches did not fair any better. However thank God, the pitches certainly did not resemble Sophia Gardens on a wet day so there was hope there at least for some control over the ball. In conditions like these at Gol it has often shown to be easier for the underdogs to grab a point through errors and mistakes related to the slippery surface. This game was no exception. Brookes are new to the league, but have already won their first game; crossing the barrier in a week which TTFE couldn't cross until after a whole year. However TTFE have gathered some real experience at Gol and certainly know how to play the boards and the how to handle the surface. There was no real underdog here however.
This showed in a game where the errors and events of the unexpected outnumbered the skilled and often brilliant, clap-worthy feats. TTFE took the lead through poor distribution from the opposing keeper where Pugh had the ball on a plate and shot, only to have it parried and Chris Phillips picked up on the rebound. Brookes soon pounced back with a fine strike to make it 1-1. Soon after that everyone was aquainted with the referee, who did not hold back any of the rage incurred from his previous match. He was very quick and thorough to point out to Paul Preece that his heavy handed tackling style would not be tolerated in what was a very bizarre and unprofessional manner, stating that he was in 'bad mood'. Preece was somewhat bemused and remained defiant, but with the referee's warning firmly in mind. TTFE then turned on the heat and used the wet surface to fire from any good position. Brookes tended to change their keeper suggesting they had no permanent ball-stopper, so that was one particular weakness TTFE knew they had to exploit. TTFE had took shot after shot and grabbed a 3-1 lead, with Pugh and James Carling capitalising. However the wet surface was just as cruel back to our lads, as Dave Weller was beaten twice in the space of the half's closing two minutes by an awful deflection and a slippery shot which he unluckily fumbled. Half time rolled around and TTFE literally let a good lead slip out of their hands.
In the second half there were concerns that the defence wasn't tight enough after the leaking of the previous two goals, so the lads wanted to seal up the back as a precautionary measure. Billy Collins and Joe Newbury provided additional cover with Preece to carry this out. Sadly this had an effect for the attack, which lacked a bit of potency and bite. Above all though the desired effect became a reality - the ship was steadied. Soon after Carling linked back up with Pugh and the goals began to rain down just like the free-flowing precipitation which christened this game with an unexpected flavour. It was also however a game of catch up - with TTFE taking the step forward each time. At 5-5 it was clear that anyone with a bit of space and a good shot had a 75% chance of hitting net. For them, make it 50% - Weller was again an inspiration for all budding 5-a-side keepers. Weller's opposite number then settled the game appropriately with an unfortunate fumble of the ball, which fell to Carling's path with plenty of time to compose himself. Just like Cool James Pugh a few weeks back he slotted home with a calm and smooth finish. With some last ditch defending TTFE hung on to win the game and claim those vital three points.
It wasn't a good game and it wasn't great football to watch. Although saying that, there were some flourishes of good link up play and not continuous long ball play as TTFE often resort to. It was clear however that this win was a real test of character, or as I liked to steal the SAS motto, 'who dares wins'. We put our front foot forward and claimed this win. Here we also saw another side who were becoming frustrated - they found it hard to break TTFE down and the infighting amongst themselves shows that things must be going right.
Goals: Carling 3, Pugh 2, Phillips 1.
Goal Tally: Pugh 7, Carling 3, Phillips 2, Newbury 2, Davies 1, Preece 1.
