Matchday Ten - 9-6 Win VS Cardiff Superstars
TTFE brought Cardiff Superstars back down to earth in what was a tempered game between the top two teams in Division Four.
The lads were still gleaming after the impressive 17-0 victory of last week, but this week would offer some sturdier opposition. In one week TTFE have had to face the bottom team and now thi week they face the top team of the league, the Cardiff Superstars, who still held their 100% league record in tact. TTFE lost their own claim to perfection bitterly in an earlier fixture with the Superstars in a tight 6-4 defeat, so this was a mission for vengence. But it was also a do-or-die fixture for the championship. TTFE knew that if they were to be in title contention, something substantial against the faultless side was a must. It had to be a win.
It was with no surprise therefore that with a full strength team, TTFE fancied their chances of rumbling the Superstars this time round. However the task at hand maginifed to an even greater scale as the Superstars revealed to be another of the 'feeder' teams which are plaguing the Sunday league. By feeder team I am suggesting the following: a large group of players register a small number of teams across the Sunday league and play each game with many players at their disposal - a talent pool if you will. It was clear that the Superstars were ready to throw on a number of players to pull any game back in their favour if they feared it could be awry. Perhaps a theory as to why they had been unbeaten until this point?
TTFE started the proceedings with an early goal, but the opposition was soon quick to fight back. The Superstars were exceptionally quick, with good foot movements and finishing which could punish any undisciplined side. TTFE stood firm in the face of such a threat and played on the break early on to get the edge. When TTFE went ahead 2-1 the cage had been firmly rattled. The Superstars and Co., with immature screams that TTFE were 's**t', continued to stamp their arrogance in a game which was slipping away from them. The taunts were certainly fuel for the TTFE fire; but not to lose further patience, it was evidently making the lads even more strong willed. The professionalism from the Sao Flora game was evident here as TTFE did not get sucked into the ugliness of the game apart from a few flourishes. When TTFE went a further goal ahead, the opposition drew out the big guns.
With substitutions galore, the Superstars upped the tempo with supposedly 'better' players. The fact that they were losing did not anger them, disappoint them, it
repulsed them. To lose to a 'crap team' like TTFE (who of course, occupied second place all season) was to do the unthinkable. But all the new players did was deharmonise the team - TTFE scored again to make it 4-1, as the heads of the Superstars did not just go down, but also effing and blinding at anyone who was willing (and not willing) to listen. They began to play with not more spirit, but with more dangerous vigour; tackling late and disputing every call. The referee had already sent off two players for dangerous play and dissent. Half time could not have at a better time for both sides.
The second half was going to be harder for TTFE, as the Superstars were eager to get back into this game and keep that coveted 100% record. The Superstars did find their feet in this half, by scoring their way back into a one margin with the game leaders. TTFE did not falter however and pulled away with some of the same goals which got them in the commanding position in the first place. Carling was once more allowed way too much space in the centre of midfield, where he unleashed shot after shot after finding a good place to make his mark. Pugh was also continuing his role as the Invisible Man, by eluding his markers and discovering great open spaces. TTFE pushed ahead to get a healthy nine goal total, and looked to have done enough to win the game. The Superstars had looked frustrated and flabbergasted, but never let the bravado drop for a second. The relentless campaign of terror continued, as the Superstars became more dangerous towards the TTFE players. The atmosphere was becoming slightly acidic - with players threatening to break legs and knock players out. Whether it was bravado or not, it shown just how rattled they became.
Sadly, that was their own downfall. As Phillips did state on the day, if the bickering and infighting wasn't there this game may have been the same as the last encounter. But that is not to take anything away from TTFE who looked solid, comfortable and determined as leaders in this game. TTFE played very well to isolate the trash talk and force the opposition to play their own slow paced game; one which they could not play and were not accustomed to. The victory belongs to TTFE through their own battleplan, not the crumbling of the walls around the Superstars resolve. TTFE were faultless until Newbury lunged thoughtlessly from behind to earn himself a blue card suspension. The Superstars earned merely their consolation goal gift from this, but it was never enough to gift the three points. TTFE had done it - they conquered the top team and closed the gap to three points. And just when the title race looked like it was getting boring...
Goals: Carling 3, Pugh 3, Phillips 2, Newbury.
Offences: Newbury - Blue card (dangerous tackle)
Goal Tally: Carling 25, Phillips 10, Pugh 8, Collins 6, Newbury 2, Preece 1, (Default) 11.
