Disciplined Performance in Difficult Conditions

The TD boys were back in action today after a few weeks out due to Christmas and bad weather last week.

Knowing that we needed to win to keep the pressure at the top of the league, the boys went out there against local side Gc and wanted to give it their all.

A difficult pitch and a difficult, physical opposition made the game a tough one from the start.

We did our best to get the ball down and play, trying to dribble at players and get the passing going however the ball was sticking and late challenges were flying in and disrupting the way we play.

We did well to create chances and Sam, Dorian and Lewis all came close to opening the scoring but it just wasn't clicking for us in the first half.
Jack and Dean were keeping their No 11 quiet and frustrating him which all came to a head right before half time when Jack won the ball off him and as he went to clear his lines, the no 11 jumped in, 2 footed off the ground and connected with Jacks leg. Awful challenge and given a yellow and sin bin. This seemed to shake our boys as they were so angry and upset for Jack having to come off hurt.

From a silly challenge on the right side we gave away a free kick right on half time and the GC no 5 whipped a dangerous ball in which Toby tried to clear but it bounced awkwardly past Oliver and into the net for 0-1.

HT 0-1

Unlucky to be behind at the break and the boys were clearly emotional, Nige did his best to get them to calm and talking about what kind of play we needed on a pitch like this and a team like that. The boys did not let this get to them and came out for the second half with a rocket up their backside. Harry had come on for the injured Jack and George on for the Injured Mase.

We started out strong and went right at GC from the whistle, creating chances and causing them issues down both wings. Zack came on for Freddie and a change up top with Sam going central with Dorian on the right cf spot and Stephen on the left. Zack started to cause problems for the Lb and was linking up with Cam, Dorian and Harry really well down the right.

Our passing was struggling again in the second half and a lot of breaks in play due to fouls and ball going out of play. Our boys were pushing to get the goal and looked like we would.

With 57 minutes on the clock, Ethan won the ball in the rb position and played a lovely ball through to Zack. Zack held the ball up and turned his man before playing Dorian through. Dorian got into the box and took a shot which flicked back up off a sliding tackle and Dorian took the follow up on the volley and lifted a fantastic chip over the keeper and into the back of the net. 1-1 and fully deserved.

From here we looked like the only team wanting to score and win the game whereas GC just wanted to kick and bully our boys off the pitch. Shortly after kick off Stephen showed good strength to hold off a tackle and win a throw, only to be met with an elbow from behind in the ribs when the ref wasn't looking. In a lot of pain he had to come off and Mase came back on. Harry was playing like a monster in that midfield, putting himself everywhere on the pitch, making brilliant challenges and winning nearly every header considering he was the smallest in the midfield. Monsterous!

It was another long ball cut out by Harry that set us up going for the next goal. He won it in midfield before playing it out wide to Zack, who beat his man before playing it into the feet of Dorian. Dorian took the ball on and dribbled it through 4 players before pinging a great ball across the goal, which was met on the half volley by Sam. Being pulled backwards by his shirt, he could of easily sent it flying but he finished the ball with venom past the keeper. 1-2 to us and a deserved lead!

From here we kept our heads and kept the ball to try and see the game out. A slight lapse in concentration and a poor pass almost cost us but Oliver came flying out and saved the 1 on 1 with his groin! Putting his crown jewels on the line for the team!

FT- GC-1 - TD - 2

A fantastic result and keeping the pressure on the chasing pack with another 3 points. Everyone on that pitch today gave their all again and showed why they are a team. Not lowering themselves to the awful tactics or sportsmanship of GC shows what brilliant boys we have.

MOTM- HARRY O'Sullivan - considering he came on just before half time due to Jacks Injury, he was absolutely imperious in the midfield today, covering every blade of grass and getting stuck in no matter what!

Onto Next week and another Local Derby with Oakwood.