Matchday Five - 8-3 Win VS Da Randem Mandem
The TTFE bandwagon rolls on in style as they disposed of third placed rivals Da Randem Mandem in a tempered encounter.With TTFE cruising in respectable second place, a 100% record and the finest defensive record in the division, the bubble had to burst at some point. Thankfully, this was not the time or the place that the remnants of that bubble had splattered to the ground. In what is surely one of TTFE's most professional games, the lads looked calm and patient in a game which had the makings of good hard slog. In the end however, it was surprisingly one sided - with TTFE pushing to further their goal tally and ruthlessly punish their opponents. Outfield for this game TTFE had Joe Newbury, Paul Preece, James Pugh, James Carling and Chris Phillips, whilst Billy Collins was thrusted into his secondary TTFE position. For this match up, first choice goal keeper Dave Weller was on annual leave and so it was up to Collins to fill the void. It was his first bout in goals since recovering from a wrist injury, which kept him out of goal when he was needed in a previous Weller absence, against the Young Gunz in a 5-1 loss. It is ironic that this team is a brother (brutha) team of the same Young Gunz team who soundly beat TTFE last season.
TTFE however, were not to let any sibling sides get the better of them this season. Their keeper, who is a Young Gunz regular, was holding pretty well at the beginning of the game and complemented a fierce opening Randem attack. They had pace and accuracy which could the frighteners any well-organised defence and the stats backed it; they have scored more than any other team in the league. TTFE of course, had the 'brick wall' claim of their own and were not willing to give it up just yet.
TTFE took the lead early on, but Randem were soon back into game with an equalising goal. At 1-1 tensions soon began to flare, with Preece bearing the brunt of what was a predictable tirade from Randem about his strong arm approach. It wasn't long before Randem started to lean on the rest of team, with the referee reluctant to start handing out warnings just yet. However the first of many sinbins was completely out of context, with Carling receiving his marching orders for a challenge which certainly did not warrant such action. TTFE went down to four men and played to hold the ball. They sustained heavy pressure and saw out the storm, then found their resolve. TTFE fired three quick goals in succession to pull into a healthy lead. Randem were shell-shocked - but they failed to heed their own advice pre-game: they self confessed to us that they were a team of strikers, not defenders. Randem were guilty of leaving gaps in defence and were very disorganised; qualities which their pace and skill could not cover up. At half time TTFE were very happy to have such a strong lead.
In the second half Randem were beginning to retaliate in the only way they knew how - by upping the mouth and raising the shoulders. It was no surprise that Randem started to moan at the ref for every challenge and the tirade against Preece was getting more brutal. The towering defender was mature and calm in his approach however and did not give in to the taunts of his opposition. Everyone took a leaf out of his book and the game just seemed to get easier and easier for TTFE, as Randem soon self-imploded. Pugh, Phillips and Carling helped themselves to some more vital goals in between two more sinbins for the other side. Randem grabbed two more goals, but that was at no discredit to Collins who played a blinder. What a return to goal for Billy Boy - and a good show for his audience too!
Randem crashed and burned, whilst TTFE went on to claim a six point lead over the rest of the promotion rivals. Cardiff Superstars are still in possession of their own 100% record and they don't look like they will give it up with a fight. First Boom await TTFE - a potential banana skin before meeting their title contenders.
Goals: Pugh 4, Phillips 2, Carling 2.
Goal Tally: Carling 9, Phillips 8, Pugh 7, Collins 1, Preece 1, Newbury 1, (Default) 1.
