Matchday Nine - 17-0 Win VS Sao Flora
TTFE got their title chase back on track with a stunning goal scoring demolition of bottom side Sao Flora.It was perhaps one of the most one sided games
TTFE had ever been involved in. It eclipses the very first game which
TTFE took part in; the lads lost 14-0 to to a painfully superior
Brucia Dougmund at the
Llanishen Arena. This game however took domination to a entirely new level.
Sao Flora, who this reporter reported on the season's opening day that they had a real chance of promotion, still languish at the foot of the table with only a point to their name. It was not going to get any better here.
With almost a full squad, the expectation to get back to winning ways after two straight defeats was massive. Paul
Preece was the only one missing from this
matchup, but Joe
Newbury had returned to take his familiar role of defender to fill the void left by
Preece. Once the game started it looked to be a tight affair, with both sides seeing a bit of the ball. However once
TTFE scored first, there was a sneaking
suspicion that they could run away with a good lead. The main opposing keeper was not of a high calibre, but the rotation which they were forced to enact due to a bare five man squad further weakened the goalkeeper role. The defence was tight, voices were clear and rousing, and
TTFE looked completely in control. There were a few incidents of lapse - but no matter how close they came they stood little chance of beating Weller, who easily disposed of what he had to deal with. The first half ended 5-0 (we think) shortly after Billy Collins had a goal disallowed.
With the win looking to be secured at half time, the second half became a pursuit for a clean sheet. As the game progressed, it looked inevitable that
Sao Flora would pick up that goal from sheer determination of
avoiding the whitewash, but when it came down to it, they just couldn't finish. In retrospect,
Sao Flora failed to take full advantage of the wet conditions by shooting
from long range. Instead the side tried hard to walk the ball into net which needlessly wasted all their much needed energy in the process.
TTFE on the other hand, were cruising to a comfortable victory by adding crucial goals to their average goal difference. It was also a chance to be audacious. James Carling had no qualms about varying his methods of scoring - whether it was taking on defenders two at a time with his skilled trickery, or simply lobbing the keeper after a sweet dummy. He was given just too much room in his new central role and in a game like this, he was given even more opportunities to show what he can do. His goal haul speaks volumes - in one night he doubled his already impressive goal tally from 11 to 22.
James Pugh also proved that his golden boot last season was not a fluke with two well taken goals, but he was unlucky to add more to his tally. In one instance he just couldn't get the ball past the keeper despite two rebounded shots. Pugh however is finding the space and with stealth is pulling away from defenders like the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. Too many times Pugh was left unattended up front waiting to shoot, with defenders tiring around him. Billy Collins was also in fine form bagging a
hatful of goals, which won't do his modest ego too much harm. Chris Phillips was very sturdy in defence and looked strong on the ball - but what resonated from him the most was the captain factor. His voice is back. He called the shots - he kept the team in check amongst the mass hysteria and the very early
Christmas presents the team were receiving in front of goal.
To coincide with that fact, this was a professional performance from
TTFE; co-ordinated brilliantly from the captain, who had something to prove from the two previous defeats and a self-confessed run of bad form.
TTFE were ruthless in attack and equally brutal and unforgiving in defence. The reward was Weller's first clean sheet all season and a generous +17 goal difference accumulated. Fitting form to have before meeting the table leaders next week.
Goals: Carling 11 (!), Collins 4, Pugh 2.
Goal Tally: Carling 22, Phillips 8, Collins 6, Pugh 5,
Preece 1,
Newbury 1, (Default) 11.
