Matchday Twelve - 4-2 Win VS Da Randem Mandem
TTFE won promotion to Sunday Division Three after a stunning comeback against third-placed Da Randem Mandem.This clash was evidently the pivotal point in TTFE's bid for the title; with each possible result throwing up such differing conclusions, TTFE had to understand what exactly was at stake. A loss here would surely allow Da Randem Mandem back into contention of grabbing the second promotion spot at their expense, whilst the Superstars would look certain to widen the gap at the gap and edge closer to title glory. On the other hand, TTFE could take promotion with a win here and eliminate any chance of their opponents taking their prized promotion spot away with a healthy eight point gap over them. In this sixpointer, a draw was the booby prize which benefitted neither team with a point which leads them both towards nowhere.
With so much at stake, it was TTFE tradition that they started on the back foot against the big hitters of Sunday Division Four. Determined to make TTFE pay for their previous 8-3 drubbing, Da Randem Mandem were gunning for victory with similar tactics as before; confuse, trick and leave defenders for dead and execute a lethal shot at goal once the space had been created. It was a tactic which had given them acclaim of division top goal scorers for the majority of the season. The vengence stemed of course from the meagre three goals that they could only score against TTFE in that fateful game. Here that looked like just a blip as they took the lead and secured a two goal cushion after some lacklustre play and a genuine failure to close down. Billy Collins was also dismissed for a dangerous challenge, which gave way for a sustained pressure campaign upon goal, dealt adequately however by ball stopper Dave Weller. The plan was in place for the Randem Mandem - they looked comfortable and ready to make the breakaway once TTFE heads had dropped.
TTFE were not done yet however. There were some bad touches from the majority of the TTFE team, but it seemed that nerves were taking their toll on TTFE. Once the game began to settle down a bit TTFE had found their scoring boots, but were unable to overturn the 2-1 lead before the interval. The opportunities to score had often fallen to the hands of the TTFE sharpshooters, but their cutting edge was not as clincal as they should have been. TTFE had enough of the ball to score another, but they just couldn't take their chances well enough. If viagra could improve scoring in front of goal as much as scoring beneath the sheets, a bottle here would be just what the doctor ordered.
So instead of firing blanks, TTFE slowed the tempo and made their opponents dance to their own waltz. By holding the ball and playing the break TTFE beagn to get the clear cut chances in front of goal. The TTFE defenders also had much more satisfaction in standing the attackers up and slowing their individual runs, which had caused so much havoc in the first half. By capitalising on mistakes TTFE played with patience to expose a weak defence. As demonstrated in the first game, their defence was not as strong as their attack, which in turn is undoubtedly the deadliest in the league. Once the possession spell they held was broken, an open shot at goal was almost certain - a fact which the lads that begun to exploit with three strikes in the second half. With the game descending into a contest once more, tempers expectedly began to flare up and tackles became harder and more dangerous. With some of this antagonism directed at enforcer Paul Preece, he later stated that his new enemy number status had given him a new calling within the TTFE ranks, as chief
wind up merchant. The opposition were just mystifed at how the centre back simply dismissed all calls upon him and kept his mind on the task at hand - a confusion which waged into obsession and subsequently, into a lack of concentration. Their mental grip on this game was now slipping, even if the strong arm tactics had been relentless in their execution.
It was another good game overall for the defence, especially keeper Weller, who played another excellent game in goal. He too mystified his opponents with some astonishing saves and kept the high scoring team to their knees with a measly two goals. But this was a team effort which showed the real desire to push the pain barrier when so much is riding on it. TTFE played like a Division Three team and it's fitting really because now in a few weeks time, they will be amongst that very crowd.
Goals: Phillips, Newbury, Carling, Collins.
Goal Tally: Carling 30, Phillips 13, Pugh 13, Collins 8, Newbury 3, Preece 1, (Default) 12.
