Matchday Six - 4-2 Loss VS Almeider FCA Jon Ridout brace was mere consolation as Almeider took full advantage of a moment of madness in the May sunshine.In what was to be partly the reason for their undoing, TTFE boasted a full squad of eight players for this fixture, with the return of Pat Davies and the second consecutive game for Jon Ridout. All positions were therefore highly strengthened with David Weller in goal, Joe Newbury, Paul Preece and Pat Davies holding defensive positions and James Pugh, Chris Phillips, James Carling and Jon Ridout in attack. The opponents, Almeider FC, were newly aquainted with the Gol centre and their record reflected no surprise in this fact with a lowly position in the table. However, they did pack a punch in their pace and individual skill, not to mention a boasting of their own in terms of their squad number.
Much to the delight of the sidelined players TTFE began with a real spring in their step. They were alert and seemed goal hungry from the offset. Almeider however had this same passion and looked just as eager to get the game in their favour. Horns were locked therefore for a long period of the first half, as both sides tried their luck but failed to convert their chances. Ridout had a hatful of chances and was unlucky to break the deadlock in the first ten minutes or so, but he soon grabbed his second of the season with a calm finish into the net. However to TTFE's surprise it was not long after that goal Almeider levelled, returning the game to the tense stalemate of before. The onlt remaining moment of interest was the collision between Ridout and one of their players; who after being floored from the initial challenge, began to run around like a madman and put in 150% effort into every tackle. He was either going to earn man of the match or an early shower with what was an aggressive and determined manner to the game. As one of their key players, it was a shame to see him stay on the referee's good side throughout the encounter.
In the second half there was a call for more movement off the ball and creativity if TTFE were going to gain advantage once more. Just like many of the games this season, this game looked to be another contest decided by a single goal - one which is awarded through an act of brilliance or more likely, a mistake. Almeider never looked like they would run away with the game, but within two minutes they grabbed a two goal lead and effectively ended the contest. As TTFE were caught in possession, the attacker who won the ball shot against a dumbstruck Weller who conceded Almeider's second goal. As the ball went to the centre spot Carling struck with power directly at goal, but sadly his effort rebounded off the post and fell on a plate to their newly revitalised aggro-attacker, who took his chance and slotted home in the right bottom hand corner. It was a killer blow for TTFE who were still smarting from the previous strike, but for Almeider, it was three points gift wrapped as Christmas had come early. After that TTFE were fighting to grab a point, but they never looked like getting it as they struggled to get the ball. They were losing the ball in possession way too easily and were being caught on the break too many times. Ridout remained to hold the middle for any hope of the ball with a quick turn, but by now he had been marked outright. He was able to capitalise on some of some mistakes however, but he was kept out with a good performance by the Almeider keeper. His first clear cut 'one-on-one' since returning to the pitch resulted in a good save from the keeper, but he put that right after his second chance fell to him as he struck confidenly past the keeper. At 3-2 TTFE had some hope of a revival, but once more they were caught in possession and failed to track back. Weller was helpless once more as Almeider stamped their authority on the game with a 4-2 final scoreline.
It was a disappointing game for TTFE who at first looked confident enough to bring the points home. But a moment of madness meant that TTFE have suffered another loss to add their previous two defeats. It is not promotion form at present and the lads have this to consider. It seemed as though in the second half TTFE began to play with little thought and much desperation, and some players could not settle down at all. There were too many long shots, there was a lot of ball watching and not a lot of movement off the ball. Finally we had the players in excess this week so fatigue, an often factor of the TTFE second half downfall, should have been ruled out as a problem. It was hard to say whether this advantage was fully exploited as the game ticked away to the death.
Goals: Ridout 2.
Goal Tally: Pugh 7, Carling 5, Phillips 3, Ridout 3, Newbury 2, Davies 1, Preece 1.
