After last weeks disaster of a game and the gaffer wondering if he was wasting his time with the delicate characters of todays youth a reaction was demanded. The squad had 5 new faces added to it ,giving much needed power and experience. Expectations where made crystal clear and the squad was given a blunt and robust team talk with a detailed game plan.

Stedham known for there physicality and bullying behaviour had to be met with the desire to compete, and once in possession of the ball to move it quickly to negate them being able to get close to us. Gary Pricthard leading the line with his experience and at 42 still quicker than Stedhams centre backs the tone was set. Younis and Francisco battered the stedham players who were not used to being schooled. Stedham did exactly as expected and hit diagonals to there very capable 9 Seb Cobbold .possibly the best nine in the league. He got absolutely no joy out of Jack Charman , Truelove or Motty as they really clicked as a 3 and shut up shop. As the game ticked along the front 3 plus the unwashed crocker and the ever improving Wardy pinned the Stedham players back TD went close several times. TD were growing in confidence and with 2 quick brakes from Stedham as they had left themselves exposed Harry Charman made a fantastic one on one save and another low to the bottom corner. TD tweaked slightly and went back on the offensive a one man wrecking machine Younis ploughing his way through the defence to earn several free kicks. One he took himself and popped it in the bottom corner with a little help from the keeper. 1-0 TD . 2 mins later with Gary screaming at younis to release him, He did exactly that, drew 3 men in , a little reverse ball through to Gary and it looked like 2-0 until Gary was poleaxed by the keeper and Rusty had to finish it off from the spot 2-0 TD. with 6 mins left TD managed the half out to come in 2-0 up.

With forced subs at half time ,Gary and Younis came off to make way for the younger pair of Freddie and Jamal TD changed the approach slightly as we now had youthful enthusiasm with a bit more guile . Stedham were getting increasingly frustrated and leaving a bit on it if not just late. Ref had no option but to start showing cards if he saw it. Should have been more. TD took advantage as Stedaham were too busy arguing and kicking out. A simple long punt from Harry sent Crocker away who beat there back line and calmly slotted into the bottom corner , great to have him back and hitting the target. 3-0
Stedham really pushed after this. Murph and Russ were bang at it and were not allowing them any time to breath, Senra dually applagin once Murph started cramping up. It was in the 65th min when Stedhams captain got half a second to lift his head a fired from 25 yards plus The shot was curling away from the cat and he had no chance as it rocketed into the top corner. The final 20 mins Stedham pushed 4 up top and bombarded TD who were forced into a back 5 and had to play on the break. the trio of Motty , truey and baby Charman were like titans. A human brick wall aided by Finn Taylor Wardy and TY until he was stamped on. on the 80th Min Stedham had a clear shot on goal from 8 yards and to all it looked like Stedham would score a second . Sam Truelove came from nowhere with a game winning block, A tackle that said not today bitches. TD grew again and it was job done. 1-3 victors. every player playing there part. Stedham lost there heads Gaffer booked ,player sent off. TD immaculate in discipline and performance. The reaction that was asked for was meet and then some.

Gaffer said" When the boys do that, its the reminder of why I love this s**t, all of them are effing diamonds"

Jack Charman MOM best performance he's ever made in a TD shirt , absolutely brilliant. lets hope this level continues from him and the rest of the squad.