Matchday Thirteen - 5-0 Win VS Gringos FCTTFE brought themselves a step closer to the title with a convincing victory over Gringos FC.It was another full house for the lads, as the magnificent seven rode on into the sunset with another win under their belts. With promotion assured, TTFE had to get another three points to keep the title dream alive. Earlier on Sunday night Cardiff Superstars had subdued Almeider FC and a loss would have meant disaster for our footballing heroes. With a heavy nerve, TTFE overcame the latest banana skin to be placed in the path to championship glory.
Gringos have been languishing at the bottom end of the table this season, but their style of play begs a real question why. They close down quickly, have good player attendance for each fixture and seem organised with a game plan. Although they have proved to be much better than league whipping boys Sao Flora in terms of points, Gringos have found it hard to climb up from the depths. The way they begun the proceedings certainly put the frighteners on the soon-to-be Division Three side; complete with a hardened spirit and hardened demeanor. Gringos are reputedly the most physical side in the league and at first TTFE seemed intimidated with their strong shoulders and misplaced tackles. It was a relief therefore when Carling opened the scoring. From then on, the game was only going one way and the realisation for the lowly position of these amigos was revealed.
For you see, the problem that Gringos encountered was the creating the end product. They were able to hold onto the ball with brute force and through tenacious tackling, but they could not get into a position to score. By merely peppering the goal with long shots, Weller was not fully stretched to his usual best as he didn't need to be. Gringos only had one clear-cut opportunity when the defence had gone awol but the TTFE ball stopper was on hand to grab his second clean sheet of the season.
At the other end of the pitch, the golden boot award looks to be sewn up with another goal scoring frenzy from James Carling. The charismatic playmaker enjoyed another goal feast with a total of four goals, each from his domain in the centre of midfield. James Pugh was unlucky to get on the score sheet but he could be accredited to making some clever runs, which unweaved a tightly drawn defence. Pugh's sneaky flick past an oncoming defender onto Carling's path to set up his second goal was truly a delightful piece of play.
Billy Collins was eager to boost the 2-0 scoreline at half time, so he even resorted to poaching goals from Carling! The ball had strayed into the paths of both players but it was Collins who took the opportunity to find the bottom corner with a sweet strike. Carling completed his goal rout and took the tally to five, at which point the game had been clearly won. It then became a greater challenge to keep the prized clean sheet.
The defence stood up well against the physical exertion they had to face - with very little forcing its way through. Paul Preece was in good spirit and had pushed the game forward with his usual, seemingly invincible runs. Collins made it known that he had the fire with a particularly loud, booming voice and he also got into his usual scraps and battles, emerging with yet another injury to add his long list. Chris Phillips was reserved in defence, finding gaps to unleash the occasional thunderbolt which this week just didn't find the net. His current goal drought is becoming a source of amusement for all, but he still maintains that the best is yet to come. Another bit of banter was Weller's distribution, which surprisingly, gained a positiove repsonse from his teammates. In truth, he earned the perfect 10 he'd been personally striving for over the last few games.
With one more game to go, TTFE only have to win and the cup goes to them. Winning is never easy but this year it has become the norm. C'mon TTFE!
Goals: Carling 4, Collins.
Goal Tally: Carling 34, Phillips 13, Pugh 13, Collins 9, Newbury 3, Preece 1, (Default) 12.
So what do TTFE have to do win the title?Win. As the
Cardiff Superstars beat
Almeider FC, they remain tied on points with TTFE on 33 each. As Weller discovered midweek, when teams are on the same points they are ordered in the table by head to head results; meaning that on aggregate TTFE have the upper hand over the Superstars by a single goal (4-6, 9-6). Therefore, TTFE must better or equal the result of the Superstars' game against
4-4-2; if the Superstars lose, TTFE win the title regardless. TTFE can win the title regardless of how the Superstars do if they beat Almeider FC.
Which teams face relegation?Sao Flora resigned themselves to Division Five long ago but it became mathematically impossible for them to survive only a few weeks ago.
Gringos FC can still survive the drop if they win their game and
B and A lose, but the odds are stacked against them; they face in form third-placed
Da Randem Mandem whilst B and A play already doomed Sao Flora - who have yet to win a single game all season.
