Huffing and Puffing

Coming off the back of narrow 1-0 defeat against a strong Enfield side, there were high hopes going into the game against All Nations.

With the same hope we had at this time last season, a win against another struggling team would have boosted morale and confidence.

The Green Giant was missing for this game, allowing new signing Paul Howard the opportunity for his debut behind the centre back pairing of the Gaffer and his 'assistant'. Sam Balogun was given a more creative role in a wide left position, proving that yet another TP player is as versatile as something thats versatile!

Coach Nick dragged himself out of his man-flu death bed to be the eyes on the side - unfortunately there was no voice to go with it!

The game kicked of and the Wanstead Wind made an apperance for the game, making it hard for TP to mount any sustained pressue on All Nations. Yet TP were still having the better of the play and playing some great short, low passes to work thier way up the pitch, getting close but never reaching the elusive cigar!

Darryl had to make way midway through the half with an injury, giving Gareth the chance to return from injury up front, with Nathaneal moving out wide for the good of the team.

The half time team talk lifted a frustrated team and there was belief that with the same performance and supporting wind, All Nations could be broken down. To take further advantage, Calvin and Sam B swapped roles to try and utilise Calvin's electric pace and get on the end of the through balls from the left hand side.

And closer TP got, with Sam Balogun convinced his shot was destined for the net until a save from the All Nations goalkeeper, who know was providing the main obstacle.

Two further changes were made to try and unsettle the Reds, with Coln replacing Ferris and Micheal replacing Jesse. Neither player deserved to be replaced, but no-one on the pitch did such was the belief of those on the side that a TP goal was inevitable.

But All Nations, taking confidence (as we were) of playing a team in and around the bottom, were working out how to play against the wind. And against all the TP pressure, All Nations won a corner that was drilled in. A diving header clearance from Ian in the midst of flying boots led to a pinball rally in the box that eventually fell to an All Nations boot which guided the ball past a completely untested Paul into the far corner with what was to be the last All Nations kick of the game.

TP kicked off and such was the urgency to get something from the game, a corner was won within seconds.

But it was not to be as the referee blew for full time.

Deflated and despondent, the message was that it was just one of those weeks. There are no easy games in the league, as the top teams have found out when they have faced TP - it was our turn to learn the lesson and take it into the Cup the following week.

Team:

P. Howard;
D. Hambridge (c), I. Howard, T. Lindsay, J. Middleweek (M. Okolie);
D. Passfield (G. Goodhew), C. Lindsay, D. Spinola, S. Balogun;
F. Lindsay (M. Agbabiaka), N. Field;

Blog Writers Man of the Match:

T. Lindsay - uncompromising.


Blog Writer: N. Speroni