Matchday Twelve - 4-2 Loss VS Toto FCTTFE gifted promotion in their second consecutive week after a lethargic 4-2 defeat to Toto FC.It was another tough game for
TTFE as they faced top two opposition for the second game in a row. Toto have looked shaky in parts during the second half of the season, but they had secured a comfortable second place recently and looked very likely to earn promotion even if they had slipped up in a few of their last matches. However with a diminished
TTFE squad and the absence of captain Chris Phillips, Toto capitalised and assured themselves a celebratory party after the game.
Toto looked hazy from the kick off and for a rare flurry this season
TTFE led the proceedings from the beginning of the game. It took an early Toto mistake to
TTFE score first, and with a eagerness to return to winning ways, James Carling made it 1-0 after what has been a short absence from the squad. However this lapse of concentration was only temporary as Toto spurred into action with a
vengeance. Despite the goal advantage and some good attempts on goal, including Pat Davies' fine shot that struck the post,
TTFE failed to push the game forward and let Toto straight back into the fray with some sloppy passing and an exposed
backline.
With a team scorned, they soon unleashed the form that has won them such acclaim within the league with three well taken goals, all having a certain aura of ruthlessness with each. At 3-1,
TTFE had indirectly built the mountain they had
vehemently tried to stop from happening, as they now had to win their way back into the game against the strong tide of a Toto momentum.
Half time came only too soon as
TTFE needed to find the goals which would at least grab a point in this important encounter for third place.
TTFE however continued to look lost and uninspired in the second half, mainly relying on long balls and long shots to fight their cause. Yet Toto, looking comfortable with a two goal lead, were seemingly beginning to wind down themselves. Their form soon deteriorated as they failed to find the net as prolifically as in the first half. They did however manage to hammer the final nail in the coffin with a fourth goal, which had effectively ended all hope of a
TTFE revival. James Pugh added to his already impressive tally with a late strike, but it was always going to be a consolation in a game that Toto had deserved to be slight winners, not
annihilators.
Toto may not have shown the type of football they can usually muster up (thank you
YouTube), but they did do more than enough to secure a win against
TTFE and win a place in Division Three next season.
TTFE could not deal with the pace and the skill of their opponents just like in the previous encounter, but did well in
minimising the damage caused. David Weller had a good game back between the sticks, whilst the effective goal hanging of Carling was proving to be the proverbial
Venus fly trap; pouncing upon the errors of any rookie or
competent goalkeeper on poor
throwouts. Pugh played well carrying the ball forward and proved once again that his unique tight angle shot is the very cornerstone of his deadly striking ability. Paul
Preece had a strong and composed manner at the back, whilst I myself, had a difficult time in keeping up with the wingers and marking them out of the game. Davies was as fiery as ever and despite his own positive runs forward, he probably had one of his quietest games of the season.
It wasn't the hammering of last week, but it was a one sided win for the victors, who never looked out of place as the real winners of this tie. It was champagne once again on the other end of the field and more
uncertainty for the future of
TTFE at their own goal. Now to secure third place, two wins are a must against fellow rivals
HBFC and
Almeider - two teams who have already vanquished
TTFE this season.
Goals: Carling 1, Pugh 1.
Goal Tally: Pugh 17, Phillips 7, Carling 7,
Ridout 3,
Newbury 2, Collins 2, Davies 1,
Preece 1.
