As Magic as the FA Cup?

TP arrive at Wanstead Flats on the back of three 'almost' games. Confidence is higher than it has been for quite some time and the general feeling is that we can get a result here. ELT have beaten us already this season and are confident of repeating the dose, but the sheer number of attacks, shots and possession we have had in recent games lead us to believe its really on.

Starting with a flat back four, five man midfield and Nick on his own up front we quickly take the game to ELT and go a goal up early on with a great goal from Daniel - a left footed drive that flew in off of the post.

A few minutes of quite brilliant TP possession and attacks (with shots freely flowing from our central midfield of Calvin, Dan and Arsan) then ELT score a beauty against the run of play with a direct ball over the top to the player Dave Hambridge had in is pocket in the last meeting.

Unlike the season so far there are no verbals or blaming and TP go about resuming the assault on the opposition. The major reason for the lack of complaints is that it was just a very good goal. Alternatively, the coach never contemplated the scorer running cross field at speed and finishing so well - either way, the problem was rectified at half-time and the threat was shepherded across the pitch and onto his less favoured foot in the second half. We went in at half time 2 - 1 up thanks to smart work all round and a good finish by Arsan.

From the side you see so many things that you miss if you're playing. For instance; Jessie had a long and dangerous run from in his own half up to the opposition penalty area. Instead of looking for the killer pass for a shot on goal Ferris moved wide left, taking his marker and creating more space and choices for Jessie. Hardly anyone would have noticed Arsan filling in at left back while Dan tracked Jessie in parallel (if needed) and Calvin held back to cover midfield in case ELT got possession and broke. I make this point because everyone on the side saw how good we can play as a team when we're supporting each other. There were several other examples of really good teamwork which created shooting chances and the team needed no half-time adjustment.

Half time cheese was taken in good spirits and we jogged out. Early in the second half Darryl, who had started the game carrying an injury was replaced by Nat who almost scored immediately. Confidence was running high and some of the passing and moving was better than we'd produced all season. Nick started with the remains of a severe chest infection but glared at the coach when asked if he was fit to carry on fifteen minutes into the second half. Everyone was keen to continue but things were changing.

ELT attacked with more wounded pride than planning but our shape began to deconstruct. The discipline (and lungs) that kept the team going forward or back as a unit for the first hour faded with increasingly large gaps forming in the space between back four and midfield. From the side it was clear that new legs were needed but everyone was playing well. In particular Sam B had his best showing as Ian's partner at centre back - covering when needed, organising, communicating calmly and sensibly and even winning a free kick at the end of a typical mazy twenty yard "come-on-i'll-take-you-all" run.

It was at this stage that one of ELT's decreasing number of attacks caught us in a one-on-one chase after one of their forwards latched onto a ball over the top. Sam R and the forward made contact (after the forward had lost control of the ball and shinned it to our keeper Steve) and Sam was booked. Despite having a solid game Sam was soon substituted as the opposition management prepared a substitution to throw another attacker on with the intention of exploiting a full back on a yellow card. Colin picked up the pace immediately and the back line coped with what came their way.

Legs were starting to slow and as Gareth warmed up to replace Ferris on the attacking left side of midfield the game changed. A third goal by Ferris seemed to deflate them temporarily, then they threw two players up to form a four man attack with their most dangerous centre forward, Paul, playing along the line behind the front three. Our organisation at corners was inadequate and eventually they scored a second. By this time the play was pretty much end to end but we dug in and did enough in the last seven minutes to hold on for a satisfying victory.

In two weeks time we take on the same team in the return. They will be wounded and better prepared. We will be the away team and will work on defending and attacking set pieces before the match. We have turned a corner and it was a pleasure to watch from the side. Special mention must be made to all squad members who came and cheered and didn't get on - we're a team who support each other and that showed on and off the pitch. It was an exciting match to watch but I hope the return is a more clinical, less stressful affair for those of us who stand on the side and cheer you folks on -Well Done All (Editors note: but it's only half time!)


Team:
S. Speroni;
S. Ranthe (C. Agbabiaka), I. Howard, S. Balogun, J. Middleweek;
A. Aryanpour (1), C. Lindsay, D. Spinola (1);
D. Passfield (N. Field), N. Speroni (c), F. Lindsay (1) (G. Goodhew);

Unused Substitutes:
M. Okolie, F. Dooknah

Blog Writers Man of the Match:

...to follow...

Blog Writer: T. Lindsay