The boys came into today knowing that after a few losses on the bounce (first time in this teams history) that they really needed to step it up and finish the season strong needing a maximum return on points to secure 4th spot for the season!

Our last game against PFD we had to forfeit the points due to Injuries, sickness and Mothers day plans - We love our mums here at TD.

Today we went out pretty much full strength, some changes made and moving back to our dynamic 3-4-3. Oliver in Goal, Back 3 of Dean, Toby and Cam (Captain for the day). Lewis W, Stan, Harley and Dorian filled in the midfield and our front 3 of Stephen, Sam and Kieron.

Speaking with the boys before the game, they were in high spirits, the weather was outstanding, The fans were loud -Thank you Marietta and co! ;) - and they were confident they could get a result.

Whitehawk had made some changes and bought in some players back from injury and were nearly full strength so we knew it would be a challenge.

From the off we just dominated the ball, working it around the pitch, switching play, playing it out from the back, 2 and 3 touch passing. My god it was good to see the boys playing the way we know they could.

We came close to opening the scoring after 5 minutes with Dorian whipping in a brilliant cross to the far post that Stephen controlled and hit a great shot just off the far post.
Lewis W, Stan, Dorian and Kieron all came close within the next 10 minutes, taking pop shots and forcing the keeper to pull off saves and the defenders clear one off the line.
Stan and Lewis W were delivering Wicked corners causing chaos in the box and we were so unlucky not to capitalise from this.

Kieron and Sam were picking up where they left off against Whitehawk and were running their defence ragged. Kieron running the channels and linking up well with Dorian while Sam was linking up well with Harley and Stephen on the opposite flank.

Our goal came from Toby. He won the ball in a great tackle on the halfway line, winning a 50/50 like a prime Maldini before playing the ball out to Cam. Cam played a quick 1-2 with D before sending a ball down the line for Sam. Sam put the after burners on, left one player in his actual dust before sitting their Left back down and then delivered a peach of a cross into the far post where Stephen rose highest and met the ball with his head directing it into the far corner. 1- 0

From here we turned it up a gear and honestly the dominance of the ball was unreal, every loose ball we won, every 50/50 we battled for. Stan in the middle was like an enforcer, winning the tackles and spreading it wide.

The second goal came from Stan winning the ball back and playing it back to Toby, before Tobes played it back to Oliver. Oliver played it into Dean and then Lewis W made a brilliant gut busting run through the middle before Dean picked out a unreal 60 yard pass that bounced just at the edge of the area and Lewis W met it with a fantastic Lob over the top of the onrushing Keeper. 2-0

The only negative of the half was a late challenge on D meaning he had to come off. Lewis B came in with 5 mins left of the half to give D a chance to rest.

HT - TD - 2 - Whitehawk - 0

At the Half, we made a few changes with Ethan coming in for Cam, Jack in for Lewis W and Alafy back for the first time in 2 months for Harley who had a great half!
We spoke with the boys and wanted them to go back out and finish the game off, play good football and play with confidence and a smile and boy did they!

With the kick off for the second half, we played it back to Jack who took a touch and launched a long ball over the top that landed on the edge of the area. The Whitehawk defender headed the ball straight up into the air but as it was coming down Lewis B made a run, taking a touch over the defender and twisting, turning and hitting an outstanding volley into the bottom right corner. Unstoppable! 3-0

We were getting a lot of joy down both wings with Sam, Lewis B, Stephen and Alafy all linking up well while the back line was holding strong.

Our next goal came from the left with Dean winning the ball back, dribbling past 2 players before playing the ball into Stephen. Stephen turned his man and sent a great through ball into Alafy. Alafy rounded the onrushing keeper and 2 defenders chasing before firing it into the far corner with his left foot. 4 - 0

We continued to dominate and even with changes being made, the boys were on the front foot with Dorian, Lewis W, Toby and Harley all getting back on the pitch.

A brilliant flowing move again got us the final goal of the day for us with Ethan winning the ball, playing a great 1-2 with Lewis B and then passing into D. Big D turned his man, cut inside and sent a beaut of a pass through to Stephen, who had outpaced his man before taking a touch with the outside of his right and knocking it through the keepers legs before tapping it into the empty net. 5 - 0

We switched off a little from here with 10 minutes left and although we could of scored another 3 we were unlucky and some sloppy play at the back gave Whitehawk 2 quick goals right before the end.

FT- TD - 5 - WHITEHAWK - 2

A brilliant, dominating performance from the first minute from the boys, honestly, every single player gave 110% and ran their socks off and scored some outstanding goals.

MOTM- Lewis B - Amazing goal from Lewis today and an all round brilliant performance, causing chaos down the wing, battling for every ball and playing with so much confidence! Well Done Lewis!