Matchday Eleven - 5-4 Win VS B and AA last gasp goal from James Pugh was enough to edge over spirited new-comers B and A.
The lads initially prepared for a hard slog against Small FC, a side who identifed themselves as ringers from the Cwmbran Town Welsh Premier football team. They had won their previous four games comfortably and scored around fifteen in each - a fact which made heads turn in Division Four hierarchy. On the day however they had been replaced by a new team after Small FC were gifted their own place in the top division. Newcomers B and A therefore made their debut against TTFE after a much delayed kick off, due to complications with shinpads, team sizes and bibs.
B and A were noticably a team who had played together before and looked ready to fight tooth and nail to get off to a winning start. TTFE boasted a full squad but it was certainly not the same team which confidently beat Sao Flora a fortnight ago. The team was sluggish and slow to begin with, inviting the opposition onto them and allowing them to play the ball how they wanted. When TTFE got the ball, they had very little time to act as B and A plunged swiftly for each ball; closing down with real conviction. This game cut the TTFE game plan pretty short - Carling's roaming in the centre of the pitch was heavily ruled out of the game, as he couldn't get the space he has been accustomed to in recent games. In some instances, Carling had to fend off two-three defenders at one time once he received the ball, which was the main reason why he couldn't launch into a goal scoring salvo in this encounter. In the first half both defences worked effortlessly to keep the scoreline low and that was mirrored by the low scoring draw at half time. TTFE took the lead with an own goal, but with an equaliser and another goal for B and A, TTFE scored another to make it an all-round deserved 2-2 draw at the interval.
The second half was a lot feistier with tackles flying everywhere in a half which could have gone anyway. B and A were also of the same breed as the other title contenders, by constantly telling the TTFE faithful who 's**t' they were. It was this disrespect and superiority complex which I believe TTFe have effectively exploited this season; these sides seem to be ignorant to the fact that a good gameplan can overpower skill and brute force when executed well enough. As B and A went 4-2 ahead, the egoism they soon displayed brought complacency and ignorance. TTFE began the fightback through tougher tackles and more movement off the ball. TTFE had finally woken up, and they turned it on in every department. Weller was now able to find the players after a half of minimal field movement, improving distribution ten fold. The defence stood the ball up, whilst the attack picked their place when the mistake was made. Phillips, Newbury and Preece played the real part in defence, whilst Collins, Pugh and Carling pushed the ball forward. Towards the end of the game, B and A began to push the ball forward and left the back exposed, where Pugh was already finding space to shoot. After an inspired comeback to make 4-4, James Pugh finished the game with a fine strike to win the three points.
TTFE did not look comfortable in this game at all and were treated with very little room to manouvre at times, which seriously had an effect on their game. This was a test to see how effectively TTFE can turn their game plan in order to gain the advantage. In this case, they passed by the skin of their teeth.
Goals: Carling 2, Pugh, Collins, Own Goal.
Goal Tally: Carling 27, Phillips 10, Pugh 9, Collins 7, Newbury 2, Preece 1, (Default) 12.
