In sad TP fashion, the season drew to an end in a fortunate walk over victory - sad in the sense that a competitive game could have been played had the oppostion set up on time and sad in the sense that there were on 8 willing to pull on the Orange jersey for one last time this season.
However, a friendly match was on the table - 8 v 11 - and TP had one last run out.
Gareth picked up the goalkeeper gloves that he ended last weeks game with, Steve taking the number 14 shirt in the hope that some 'Henry-esque' magic would fill his boots, and the rest of us set up stall on top of the 18 yard box!
But what a stall it was, with Trevor displaying nifty footwork & Ian throwing everything but the kitchen sink into tackles to send us in at half time a respectable 3-0 down, which may have been 3-1 but with a better rub of the green after Darryl tried to catch the keeper off guard from 30+yards!
But the second half was the icing on the cake!
Jesse put in his best performance in a while by taking on the biggest opposition he could find;
Darryl was finding joy running directly at the masses of white shirts;
Gareth went for a wander out of goal and roughed up the bigboys at the LAS defence (to warrant a comment after the game that the LAS players were glad that they didn't have to face him for any longer period!)
Ferris was finding a way past the back line and had several chances - the best being an instinctive turn into the box and drive which couldn't find a way in off the cross bar;
Nick then tried to grow his own goal tally, only for the ball to bounce of the inside of the post only to fall to Big Little Brother who saw his effort flash wide!
But mixed in with all this drama were another 5 goals for LAS!
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Monday, 13 April 2009
How Would You Define a Man of the Match?
With the fast becoming TP tradition of throwing the pre-determined team sheet out of the window, the 10 men of TP took the field against the awesome Tower Hamlets, who annihilated the impressive Enfield a week earlier 12-2!
But with no pressure on TP due to there being nothing but pride left to play for, the intention was to get at Hamlets with a 4-3-2 formation.
It wasn't particulalry effective!
The play was camped in TPs half, but as a defensive 10 man unit the performace was more than admirable. Most notably, Owen was tracking all over the pitch from his forward positon and Gareth was showing some nice touches to try and ease the pressure and kick start counter attacks.
To hinder TP further, Darryl was carrying a knock that didn't take long to get aggrevated further.
But nevertheless, defensively TP were giving more than 100% in effort.
Steve most notably was keeping the score down, seemingly enjoying the challenge of keeping Hamlets out from the distance efforts they persisted in trying. But for a freak bounce of of the Hamlet strikers chest after Trevor attempted a clearance, who knows how long TP could have held out.
To add to the injury list, Ian wanted to put his name into the ring as the new John Helm by putting his head where it hurts - and did it hurt! A bloody nose was Ian's harsh lesson.
It was only 3-0 at half time, and spirits were high due to it being a typical TP game of scrapping and tackling which all seemed to enjoy.
The second half however became a different ball game, and it could be that TP have finally learnt how to play football! Passes were being strung together all over the pitch in the space created by being a man short, and Mes came into his element, picking the ball up deep and running two thirds of the pitch strainght down the throats of Hamlets.
Jesse was enjoying a battle against his full back, and Owen continued to hassle and harrass the defenders at every chance when they were turned around.
But injury blow 3 hit, and Gareth made way unable to continue.
Until someone had the bright idea of suggesting he go in goal. Gareth bravely voluteered (and in doing so show some awesome kicking and deft handywork to keep Hamlets away) and Steve ventured out for a rare (2nd?) out field apperance, this time as a striker.
And what an impact - first taking out a Hamlets player (unintentionally!) and then by controlling a cross from Arsan, beating 2 players in the box and unleashing a shot the goalkeeper failed to hold.
The goal ignited TP to action, with Jesse causing mayhem in the box before Mes could only hit the post. And on a different day Steve could have had a second from a similar position to that which he scored.
But the fact remains it was a day for the defence, with Trev, Darryl, Nick, Ian, Arsan - in fact probably all 10men at some point recovering to stop several clear goal scoring chances.
Roll on LAS and next season!
Team:
S. Speroni (1);
Mes, I. Howard, T .Lindsay, J. Middleweek;
A. Aryanpour, N. Speroni (c), G. Goodhew;
O. Lindsay, D. Passfield;
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Keeping them out, and banging them in as well? Its the Green Giant hands down on this performance!
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Vs Harmony
Team:
S. Speroni;
Mez, N. Speroni (c), G. Goodhew (T. Lindsay), S. Ranthe;
J. Middleweek (1), A. Aryanpour, C. Lindsay (1), O. Lindsay;
D. Passfield (1), F. Lindsay
(1 Goal still to be allocated)
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Sam Ranthe - his best perfromance in a TP shirt, a performance full of drive and passion.
S. Speroni;
Mez, N. Speroni (c), G. Goodhew (T. Lindsay), S. Ranthe;
J. Middleweek (1), A. Aryanpour, C. Lindsay (1), O. Lindsay;
D. Passfield (1), F. Lindsay
(1 Goal still to be allocated)
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Sam Ranthe - his best perfromance in a TP shirt, a performance full of drive and passion.
Friday, 27 March 2009
League Cup Semi Final Vs Tower Hamlets
Team:
F. Lindsay;
D. Mitchell (F.Dooknah), I. Howard (c) (G. Perkins), S. Balogun, J. Middleweek (D. Hambridge);
A. Aryanour (1), T. Lindsay (D. Passfield), C. Lindsay, D. Spinola;
N. Speroni, Mes
Subs Not Used:
S. Speroni, O. Lindsay
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
A. Aryanpour
F. Lindsay;
D. Mitchell (F.Dooknah), I. Howard (c) (G. Perkins), S. Balogun, J. Middleweek (D. Hambridge);
A. Aryanour (1), T. Lindsay (D. Passfield), C. Lindsay, D. Spinola;
N. Speroni, Mes
Subs Not Used:
S. Speroni, O. Lindsay
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
A. Aryanpour
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Vs Blackhorse Road
Team:
D. Hambridge;
Mes, I. Howard (c), S. Balogun, J. Middleweek;
A. Aryanpour, D. Mitchell, T. Lindsay, loanee;
O. Lindsay, F. Lindsay
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
...to follow...
D. Hambridge;
Mes, I. Howard (c), S. Balogun, J. Middleweek;
A. Aryanpour, D. Mitchell, T. Lindsay, loanee;
O. Lindsay, F. Lindsay
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
...to follow...
Sunday, 8 March 2009
2 Points Saved and Pride Restored
The Boss was away again this week, leaving the reigns with Nick & Trevor.
But some things stay the same, and due to traffic, the starting 11 on paper was again scrapped and put together a fresh.
Ferris seemingly enjoyed the previous weeks antics and volunteered himself for goal-keeping duties and Darryl, Dwayne, Sam & Jeison returned to action.
TP had drawn against a team in and around the bottom of the table the previous week, so this game had become a must win to close the gap and move up the table.
It had been nearly a year since the last encounter between the 2 teams resulted in an enthalling 4-3 Harmony win after Harmony had gone 3-0 up in the first half. This year Harmony had shown similar capabilities, pushing Camberwell and Enfield all the way in thier encounters.
And their full capabilities were put on show in the first half and their play went predominantly through their striker who was involved in everything Harmony did. TP didn't have (and a times didn't even try to find) an answer. The pre-game rallying cry of "The First 3's" fell on 11 deaf pairs of ears.
And unsurprisingly Harmony went in at half time 1-0 to the good.
The half time team talk was honest and brutal in some cases but was what was needed to try and instill a sharpness that had been significantly lacking.
There was more urgency in the second half, but nothing of note happened until the substitutions came in to play.
Jeison made way after glimmers of the Ginola type shimmy he is clearly capable of with more match practice.
Sam Ranthe - seemingly inspired by Mes and winning nearly everything coming his way- and Dwayne, who was itching to have the chance to skin his full back more than he had done in the first half, made way shortly after for Dan, Frankie & Greg.
But this didn't go immediately to plan, as in seconds of TP making their final two changes Harmony went 2 goals to the good.
But as this league has shown in the past - no game is necessarily over until the final whistle blows. Harmony rolled their dice and took of their main threat, which seemed to spark what was left of any pride that remained in the orange shirts.
The game immediately was based in the Harmony half.
Chance one fell to Calvin when the goalkeeper fumbled a hanging cross, only for the ref to blow for a foul on the goalie.
Chance two fell to Calving when the goalkeeper fumbled a low cross, only for the ref to deem Calvin's challenge (for a ball that was there to be won) dangerous.
Chance three was a lost cause, as Nick had never been able to beat a goalkeeper with a free kick in over 30 games - until now.
1-2 and the game was now there to be taken.
A ball over the top was met by Nick, looping the ball over the stranded goalkeeper only to be denied by the post but met by Calvin, who couldn't get enough of his body behind the bouncing ball to bundle the in an equaliser.
A now panicking Harmony did manage a couple of break aways. One resulted in a tangle of arms between Sam B and a Harmony striker, who theatrically fell to a touch from Sam, winning a free-kick and first ever yellow card for Sam.
A more clinical break away saw Ferris called into action, saving well from a firm drive, only for the ball to fall at a Harmony players feet before being struck against the cross bar and down onto (over?) the line. What is it with Ferris being involved in World Cup- esqe moments?
Ferris was to roll back the years once again and pick up... a back pass! However, the free-kick was squandered and a break through Dan, Greg and Calvin was what was needed to take the play back into the Harmony half.
And the play worked its way back into the Harmony penalty area, where panic again set in and resulted in a ball-winning but rash tackle through Dan Spinola to concede a penalty.
After a long delay by the ref to deal with the normal gamesmanship this type of situation brings, Arsan - who had covered every blade of grass on the pitch - stepped up to bury the ball past the correctly guessing goalkeeper.
With only minutes to play, confidence was high and the game was their for the taking. Calvin was to ensure there would be no more break aways down the TP left (where Jesse was face to chest against the biggest player on the pitch who he had already felled like a tree with a sliding tackle!) but mistimed his tackle to earn a yellow for what the Ref explained to be persistent fouling.
Team:
F. Lindsay,
S. Ranthe (F. Dooknah), Mes, S. Balogun, J. Middleweek;
D. Passfield, A. Aryanpour (1), C. Lindsay, D. Mitchell (G. Perkins);
J. Imhof (D. Spinola), N. Speroni (c) (1);
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Mes - he never played alongside TP Legend John 'Paul Madeley/KennyBurns' Helm, but his desire to head and clear anything around him - ball or player - is uncanny and equally successful!
But some things stay the same, and due to traffic, the starting 11 on paper was again scrapped and put together a fresh.
Ferris seemingly enjoyed the previous weeks antics and volunteered himself for goal-keeping duties and Darryl, Dwayne, Sam & Jeison returned to action.
TP had drawn against a team in and around the bottom of the table the previous week, so this game had become a must win to close the gap and move up the table.
It had been nearly a year since the last encounter between the 2 teams resulted in an enthalling 4-3 Harmony win after Harmony had gone 3-0 up in the first half. This year Harmony had shown similar capabilities, pushing Camberwell and Enfield all the way in thier encounters.
And their full capabilities were put on show in the first half and their play went predominantly through their striker who was involved in everything Harmony did. TP didn't have (and a times didn't even try to find) an answer. The pre-game rallying cry of "The First 3's" fell on 11 deaf pairs of ears.
And unsurprisingly Harmony went in at half time 1-0 to the good.
The half time team talk was honest and brutal in some cases but was what was needed to try and instill a sharpness that had been significantly lacking.
There was more urgency in the second half, but nothing of note happened until the substitutions came in to play.
Jeison made way after glimmers of the Ginola type shimmy he is clearly capable of with more match practice.
Sam Ranthe - seemingly inspired by Mes and winning nearly everything coming his way- and Dwayne, who was itching to have the chance to skin his full back more than he had done in the first half, made way shortly after for Dan, Frankie & Greg.
But this didn't go immediately to plan, as in seconds of TP making their final two changes Harmony went 2 goals to the good.
But as this league has shown in the past - no game is necessarily over until the final whistle blows. Harmony rolled their dice and took of their main threat, which seemed to spark what was left of any pride that remained in the orange shirts.
The game immediately was based in the Harmony half.
Chance one fell to Calvin when the goalkeeper fumbled a hanging cross, only for the ref to blow for a foul on the goalie.
Chance two fell to Calving when the goalkeeper fumbled a low cross, only for the ref to deem Calvin's challenge (for a ball that was there to be won) dangerous.
Chance three was a lost cause, as Nick had never been able to beat a goalkeeper with a free kick in over 30 games - until now.
1-2 and the game was now there to be taken.
A ball over the top was met by Nick, looping the ball over the stranded goalkeeper only to be denied by the post but met by Calvin, who couldn't get enough of his body behind the bouncing ball to bundle the in an equaliser.
A now panicking Harmony did manage a couple of break aways. One resulted in a tangle of arms between Sam B and a Harmony striker, who theatrically fell to a touch from Sam, winning a free-kick and first ever yellow card for Sam.
A more clinical break away saw Ferris called into action, saving well from a firm drive, only for the ball to fall at a Harmony players feet before being struck against the cross bar and down onto (over?) the line. What is it with Ferris being involved in World Cup- esqe moments?
Ferris was to roll back the years once again and pick up... a back pass! However, the free-kick was squandered and a break through Dan, Greg and Calvin was what was needed to take the play back into the Harmony half.
And the play worked its way back into the Harmony penalty area, where panic again set in and resulted in a ball-winning but rash tackle through Dan Spinola to concede a penalty.
After a long delay by the ref to deal with the normal gamesmanship this type of situation brings, Arsan - who had covered every blade of grass on the pitch - stepped up to bury the ball past the correctly guessing goalkeeper.
With only minutes to play, confidence was high and the game was their for the taking. Calvin was to ensure there would be no more break aways down the TP left (where Jesse was face to chest against the biggest player on the pitch who he had already felled like a tree with a sliding tackle!) but mistimed his tackle to earn a yellow for what the Ref explained to be persistent fouling.
Team:
F. Lindsay,
S. Ranthe (F. Dooknah), Mes, S. Balogun, J. Middleweek;
D. Passfield, A. Aryanpour (1), C. Lindsay, D. Mitchell (G. Perkins);
J. Imhof (D. Spinola), N. Speroni (c) (1);
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Mes - he never played alongside TP Legend John 'Paul Madeley/KennyBurns' Helm, but his desire to head and clear anything around him - ball or player - is uncanny and equally successful!
One Step Forward, One Step Back
With some enforced pre-game changes, TP took on a relatively unknown look. The forth Lindsay - Owen - was set for his fist start, Mes was making his debut, Jesse was offered the more advanced left midfield role and Ferris volunteered himself in between the sticks.
However, there was a sense o hope in the air and a desire to restore the balance of power against an All Nations team joining TP near the foot of the table but being in a better position due to their 1-0 victory earlier in the season.
But this season for TP has shown that the gulf between teams and the (majority) of score lines have been a lot closer than last season.
An this game was to be no different.
TP spent the first half as good as camped in the All Nations half - but were not convincing in any department.
Several chances were created going forward, most notably Nick testing the goalkeeper on for the effort to test the cross bar also.
Owen showed the hereditary Lindsay traits of getting his foot in and doing it uncompromisingly. Mes on his debut was dominant down the right hand side, winning the ball in nearly 100% of tackles and headers.
Ferris in goal was not overly tested.
TP took advantage of their fist half pressure with a corner on the right being swung in to cause chaos in the box which resulted in a corner from the left. On a day of firsts for TP, Arsan supplied another by bending the ball into the back of the net directly from the corner.
TP lost Rowan in the first half due to a pulled muscle - Greg replaced him at Centre back.
The team talk at half time was one to bring us back down with a bump, ensuring that we didn't simply rest on our laurels but try and take the game to the opposition.
But it didn't happen. All Nations came out all guns blazing and were able to get a foothold in the game.
Their pressure resulted in an inevitable equaliser and several attempts to bring Ferris into action - one effort saw a full length dive to his left to claw the ball off the line.
Another effort can only be described as world class - it is justifiable to ask you to watch this clip and tell you the save was of the same class, but from a point blank shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQA234KPA2s
But there were 2 other significant moments in the half - the first ensuring the 1 point was not lost with a goal-line clearance.
The second could have won the 3 points for TP. A rare venture forward in the second half resulted in Jesse getting to the touch-line and producing a beautiful cross into the six yard box. The player you would want on the end of it - Trevor - was there right on cue. Unfortunately Nick was there a split second earlier and glanced it away from Trevor but also passed the far post.
In all, probably a fortunate point for TP - but it halted the losing league run.
Team:
F. Lindsay,
Mes, I. Howard (c), R. Clift (G. Perkins), S. Ranthe;
A. Aryanpour (1), C. Lindsay, T. Lindsay, J. Middleweek (D. Spinola);
O. Lindsay (F. Dooknah), N. Speroni
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Ferris Lindsay - Rolling back the years!
However, there was a sense o hope in the air and a desire to restore the balance of power against an All Nations team joining TP near the foot of the table but being in a better position due to their 1-0 victory earlier in the season.
But this season for TP has shown that the gulf between teams and the (majority) of score lines have been a lot closer than last season.
An this game was to be no different.
TP spent the first half as good as camped in the All Nations half - but were not convincing in any department.
Several chances were created going forward, most notably Nick testing the goalkeeper on for the effort to test the cross bar also.
Owen showed the hereditary Lindsay traits of getting his foot in and doing it uncompromisingly. Mes on his debut was dominant down the right hand side, winning the ball in nearly 100% of tackles and headers.
Ferris in goal was not overly tested.
TP took advantage of their fist half pressure with a corner on the right being swung in to cause chaos in the box which resulted in a corner from the left. On a day of firsts for TP, Arsan supplied another by bending the ball into the back of the net directly from the corner.
TP lost Rowan in the first half due to a pulled muscle - Greg replaced him at Centre back.
The team talk at half time was one to bring us back down with a bump, ensuring that we didn't simply rest on our laurels but try and take the game to the opposition.
But it didn't happen. All Nations came out all guns blazing and were able to get a foothold in the game.
Their pressure resulted in an inevitable equaliser and several attempts to bring Ferris into action - one effort saw a full length dive to his left to claw the ball off the line.
Another effort can only be described as world class - it is justifiable to ask you to watch this clip and tell you the save was of the same class, but from a point blank shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQA234KPA2s
But there were 2 other significant moments in the half - the first ensuring the 1 point was not lost with a goal-line clearance.
The second could have won the 3 points for TP. A rare venture forward in the second half resulted in Jesse getting to the touch-line and producing a beautiful cross into the six yard box. The player you would want on the end of it - Trevor - was there right on cue. Unfortunately Nick was there a split second earlier and glanced it away from Trevor but also passed the far post.
In all, probably a fortunate point for TP - but it halted the losing league run.
Team:
F. Lindsay,
Mes, I. Howard (c), R. Clift (G. Perkins), S. Ranthe;
A. Aryanpour (1), C. Lindsay, T. Lindsay, J. Middleweek (D. Spinola);
O. Lindsay (F. Dooknah), N. Speroni
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Ferris Lindsay - Rolling back the years!
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Vs Springfield
Team:
T. Lindsay;
S. Ranthe, S. Balogun, R. Clift, J. Middleweek;
F. Dooknah, G. Perkins, C. Lindsay (1), D. Spinola;
O. Lindsay, F. Lindsay (c)
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
...to follow...
T. Lindsay;
S. Ranthe, S. Balogun, R. Clift, J. Middleweek;
F. Dooknah, G. Perkins, C. Lindsay (1), D. Spinola;
O. Lindsay, F. Lindsay (c)
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
...to follow...
Monday, 2 February 2009
Season Breaker... or Maker?
The Quarter final of the cup was originally scheduled over 2 legs, but weather a few weeks ago meant that the NELECL lost a week, meaning the first leg was sacrificed to maintain the league programme. Nothing like an added bite to a cup tie!
It was winner take all for the teams at the bottom of the league. Both had beaten the other already this season and both knew to keep their season alive victory was a must.
The Gaffer took a new approach to the build up - naming the starting team on Thursday to make sure all were ready to go at 9:30am - and for the first time in history, the vast majority were!
But it wasn't without a hiccup or two on the way - Paul Howard, replacing the travelling Steve, was called away by work on Friday, and Darryl had a struggle to make the 9:30am meet time. Dave Hambridge stepped into his utility suit and wore the goalkeeper greens, with a returning Dwayne stepping in a right back.
The warm up was thorough and new skipper Arsan - along with the usual suspects - rallied the troops. However, he was to lose his first coin-toss, allowing Ecclesia to take the 12th man of the wind in the first half.
But this didn't stop TP camping in the Ecclesia half for most of the game. With the exception of a break-away goal.
Confidence surged through the Ecclesian's, and they must have thought it was going to be their day when Nick and Ferris - partnering for now the 3rd time - read each others minds and simultaneously swung at the same through ball, taking each other out and leaving the ball for the grateful goalie.
But a deficit of 1 at the interval would remain. The team talk was positive, and so much so the Ecclesia re-start was hounded down until TP were in possession. a spell of triangular passes on the left gave Dan Spin space to unleash a beauty with his left foot that left the goalkeeper stranded.
TP again set up camp in the Ecclesia half and, making use of the wind, Nick beat the offside trap and latched onto an almighty kick from Dave, only to mis-time his lob attempt into the goalkeepers hands.
However, it was soon to be 2-1 to the Oranges. Sorry - don't remember how that one happened though. Answers on a post-card - but, I think someone scored for the first time in 29 games?
The third was not far behind. Nick took a quick-throw on the left to Dan Spinola, exploiting the lack of an offside rule and drawing out the defence and goalkeeper, who found substitute Greg for him to slide into an all but empty net.
Knowing that it was now all or nothing, Ecclesia flooded forward and got an unlikely second, before Darryl and Greg combined to set up Dan Spin for his second of the game and TP's forth.
The result could have been a wider margin, but goal difference doesn't count in the cup - a win is a win and we are in the Semi's.
On this performance, Blackhorse Road, Springfield or Tower Hamlets could be in for a shock.
Team:
D. Hambridge;
D. Mitchell, S. Balogun, I. Howard, J. Middleweek;
A. Aryanpour (c), C. Lindsay (D. Passfield), T. Lindsay (G. Perkins (1)), D. Spinola (2);
F. Lindsay, N. Speroni (1);
Subs Not Used:
O. Lindsay
S. Ranthe
Blog Writers Men of the Match:
All 15 and the fans! A day for all to come together to get the performance and result everyone needed.
It was winner take all for the teams at the bottom of the league. Both had beaten the other already this season and both knew to keep their season alive victory was a must.
The Gaffer took a new approach to the build up - naming the starting team on Thursday to make sure all were ready to go at 9:30am - and for the first time in history, the vast majority were!
But it wasn't without a hiccup or two on the way - Paul Howard, replacing the travelling Steve, was called away by work on Friday, and Darryl had a struggle to make the 9:30am meet time. Dave Hambridge stepped into his utility suit and wore the goalkeeper greens, with a returning Dwayne stepping in a right back.
The warm up was thorough and new skipper Arsan - along with the usual suspects - rallied the troops. However, he was to lose his first coin-toss, allowing Ecclesia to take the 12th man of the wind in the first half.
But this didn't stop TP camping in the Ecclesia half for most of the game. With the exception of a break-away goal.
Confidence surged through the Ecclesian's, and they must have thought it was going to be their day when Nick and Ferris - partnering for now the 3rd time - read each others minds and simultaneously swung at the same through ball, taking each other out and leaving the ball for the grateful goalie.
But a deficit of 1 at the interval would remain. The team talk was positive, and so much so the Ecclesia re-start was hounded down until TP were in possession. a spell of triangular passes on the left gave Dan Spin space to unleash a beauty with his left foot that left the goalkeeper stranded.
TP again set up camp in the Ecclesia half and, making use of the wind, Nick beat the offside trap and latched onto an almighty kick from Dave, only to mis-time his lob attempt into the goalkeepers hands.
However, it was soon to be 2-1 to the Oranges. Sorry - don't remember how that one happened though. Answers on a post-card - but, I think someone scored for the first time in 29 games?
The third was not far behind. Nick took a quick-throw on the left to Dan Spinola, exploiting the lack of an offside rule and drawing out the defence and goalkeeper, who found substitute Greg for him to slide into an all but empty net.
Knowing that it was now all or nothing, Ecclesia flooded forward and got an unlikely second, before Darryl and Greg combined to set up Dan Spin for his second of the game and TP's forth.
The result could have been a wider margin, but goal difference doesn't count in the cup - a win is a win and we are in the Semi's.
On this performance, Blackhorse Road, Springfield or Tower Hamlets could be in for a shock.
Team:
D. Hambridge;
D. Mitchell, S. Balogun, I. Howard, J. Middleweek;
A. Aryanpour (c), C. Lindsay (D. Passfield), T. Lindsay (G. Perkins (1)), D. Spinola (2);
F. Lindsay, N. Speroni (1);
Subs Not Used:
O. Lindsay
S. Ranthe
Blog Writers Men of the Match:
All 15 and the fans! A day for all to come together to get the performance and result everyone needed.
Vs ELT
Team:
S. Speroni;
S. Balogun, R. Clift, I. Howard, S. Ranthe (O. Lindsay);
A. Aryanpour, C. Lindsay, T. Lindsay (c) (G. Perkins), D. Spinola;
F. Lindsay, J. Imhof;
Sub not Used:
D. Passfield
S. Speroni;
S. Balogun, R. Clift, I. Howard, S. Ranthe (O. Lindsay);
A. Aryanpour, C. Lindsay, T. Lindsay (c) (G. Perkins), D. Spinola;
F. Lindsay, J. Imhof;
Sub not Used:
D. Passfield
Never So Low...
In the first match against Walthamstow this season, an epic back and forth encounter saw TP achieve one of thier greatest results of their short history - a 5-3 win after coming from behind 3 times.
Confidence was therefore high that something could be achieved out of the game.
With last minute changes to the starting 11 made in the absence of a working Gaffer, there was an air of disorganisation about the oranges at kick off, and quickly Walthamstow exploited TP and went 1-0 and then 2-0 up.
But, with a belief that got TP through the first match, the Oranges settled and began to dominate.
The pairing of Nick and Ferris up front was only their second outing as a partnership but it soon started to spark, splitting the defenders for some excellent football from defence through to midfield to make some excellent through balls - unfortunately the chances were not converted.
That was until Darryl - itching to make an impact against his home club - picked the ball up on half way, carried it into the space and unleashed. He wisely chose to disguise his effort as a cross, but this fooled the goalkeeper into what was to be his only mistake of the game, allowing the ball under his body and into the net.
It was the break TP needed before half time, and confidence again returned that a comeback could be on the cards.
And there was a flashback to the TP of old - just not the TP of old that was needed!
TP won a corner which was quickly turned into a counter attack by Walthamstow, who broke with such pace leaving TP 3 vs 4 at the back. Jesse had to make the challenge and did so on the edge of the box. But such was the pace of the break the referee gave a penalty. Steve could not repeat his heroics of the last time he faced a Walthamstow penalty and from there it was a gung-ho TP to try and salvage the game.
Walthamstow exploited the gung-ho nature and went on to put another 3 past the Oranges.
Normally match reports can say TP gave the opposition a game - for the last 35mins TP put in the worst performance they had done in their brief history and this was to be a low point never to be returned to.
Team:
S. Speroni;
D. Passfield (1), R. Clift, J. Helm (c), J. Middleweek;
J. Imhof (O. Lindsay), D. Hambridge (S. Ranthe), A. Aryanpour (S. Balogun), C. Lindsay;
F. Lindsay (G. Goodhew), N. Speroni;
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
S. Speroni - kept the score down.
Confidence was therefore high that something could be achieved out of the game.
With last minute changes to the starting 11 made in the absence of a working Gaffer, there was an air of disorganisation about the oranges at kick off, and quickly Walthamstow exploited TP and went 1-0 and then 2-0 up.
But, with a belief that got TP through the first match, the Oranges settled and began to dominate.
The pairing of Nick and Ferris up front was only their second outing as a partnership but it soon started to spark, splitting the defenders for some excellent football from defence through to midfield to make some excellent through balls - unfortunately the chances were not converted.
That was until Darryl - itching to make an impact against his home club - picked the ball up on half way, carried it into the space and unleashed. He wisely chose to disguise his effort as a cross, but this fooled the goalkeeper into what was to be his only mistake of the game, allowing the ball under his body and into the net.
It was the break TP needed before half time, and confidence again returned that a comeback could be on the cards.
And there was a flashback to the TP of old - just not the TP of old that was needed!
TP won a corner which was quickly turned into a counter attack by Walthamstow, who broke with such pace leaving TP 3 vs 4 at the back. Jesse had to make the challenge and did so on the edge of the box. But such was the pace of the break the referee gave a penalty. Steve could not repeat his heroics of the last time he faced a Walthamstow penalty and from there it was a gung-ho TP to try and salvage the game.
Walthamstow exploited the gung-ho nature and went on to put another 3 past the Oranges.
Normally match reports can say TP gave the opposition a game - for the last 35mins TP put in the worst performance they had done in their brief history and this was to be a low point never to be returned to.
Team:
S. Speroni;
D. Passfield (1), R. Clift, J. Helm (c), J. Middleweek;
J. Imhof (O. Lindsay), D. Hambridge (S. Ranthe), A. Aryanpour (S. Balogun), C. Lindsay;
F. Lindsay (G. Goodhew), N. Speroni;
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
S. Speroni - kept the score down.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Battle at the Bottom
The team news was that the “big guns” were on the bench, and I’m certainly not talking about Ferris’ biceps!
Dan, Arsan, and Ferris were all on the bench as TP stuck to the tried and tested 4-4-2 formation.
Steve started in goal despite a back injury and Jeison made his debut at right wing. Nathanael accompanied Gareth up front. Josh played down the left wing.
TP started sluggishly, Ecclesia posing the early threats in a scrappy 15 minutes. Dave and Calvin had to play solidly rather than creatively which meant Gareth and Nat were often isolated up front.
Ecclesia took the lead as a good ball in from the left midfield curled behind the centre backs and a calm finish from the oncoming striker put the side bottom of the league in front.
TP then went two goals down as a ball was played down the channel, and the striker smashed the ball brilliantly into the top corner, leaving Steve with no chance!
TP then started to wake as Arsan replaced Josh on the left and Dave and Sam swapped positions. TP started playing with some self belief as Sam. B picked up the ball and showed some composure, having three shots on target.
TP started building with Jeison putting Gareth away and Arsan pulling the strings. Calvin stuck to his “breaking up” task.
But suddenly, hearts were in mouths as the Ecclesia holding player was uncharacteristically away down the wing, only for Dave to slide across with a crunching challenge.
TP went in at half time feeling that man for man they were the better team.
Ferris replaced Gareth at half time and TP came out with a bit more purpose. TP survived some early corners with Sam R clearing of the line.
John Helm went close with a flicked diving header from a corner before TP scored a freak goal. Sam R punted the ball upfield for Ferris to challenge. A defender barged into the goalkeeper, knocking him off balance and the ball bounced over them and in…….but it was a truly awesome 55 yard strike reminiscent of David Beckham against Wimbledon! They all count!
TP could have gone on to equalise, Arsan coming close on three occasions and Nat, on his penultimate appearance of the season before he turns Indian, scuffed a close range effort. It ended 3-1 in the end as a diagonal ball beat TP who were on the attack and the striker hit a super half volley into the bottom corner to kill TP off.
Let’s hope we play with a bit more passion in the upcoming games, one of which is a return cup game against Ecclesia.
Team:
S. Speroni;
S. Ranthe, S. Balogun (D. Spinola), J. Helm (c), J. Middleweek;
J. Imihof, D. Hambridge, C. Lindsay, J Field (A. Aryanpour);
N. Field, G. Goodhew (F. Lindsay);
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Sam Balogun - all action
Blog Writer - David Hambridge
Dan, Arsan, and Ferris were all on the bench as TP stuck to the tried and tested 4-4-2 formation.
Steve started in goal despite a back injury and Jeison made his debut at right wing. Nathanael accompanied Gareth up front. Josh played down the left wing.
TP started sluggishly, Ecclesia posing the early threats in a scrappy 15 minutes. Dave and Calvin had to play solidly rather than creatively which meant Gareth and Nat were often isolated up front.
Ecclesia took the lead as a good ball in from the left midfield curled behind the centre backs and a calm finish from the oncoming striker put the side bottom of the league in front.
TP then went two goals down as a ball was played down the channel, and the striker smashed the ball brilliantly into the top corner, leaving Steve with no chance!
TP then started to wake as Arsan replaced Josh on the left and Dave and Sam swapped positions. TP started playing with some self belief as Sam. B picked up the ball and showed some composure, having three shots on target.
TP started building with Jeison putting Gareth away and Arsan pulling the strings. Calvin stuck to his “breaking up” task.
But suddenly, hearts were in mouths as the Ecclesia holding player was uncharacteristically away down the wing, only for Dave to slide across with a crunching challenge.
TP went in at half time feeling that man for man they were the better team.
Ferris replaced Gareth at half time and TP came out with a bit more purpose. TP survived some early corners with Sam R clearing of the line.
John Helm went close with a flicked diving header from a corner before TP scored a freak goal. Sam R punted the ball upfield for Ferris to challenge. A defender barged into the goalkeeper, knocking him off balance and the ball bounced over them and in…….but it was a truly awesome 55 yard strike reminiscent of David Beckham against Wimbledon! They all count!
TP could have gone on to equalise, Arsan coming close on three occasions and Nat, on his penultimate appearance of the season before he turns Indian, scuffed a close range effort. It ended 3-1 in the end as a diagonal ball beat TP who were on the attack and the striker hit a super half volley into the bottom corner to kill TP off.
Let’s hope we play with a bit more passion in the upcoming games, one of which is a return cup game against Ecclesia.
Team:
S. Speroni;
S. Ranthe, S. Balogun (D. Spinola), J. Helm (c), J. Middleweek;
J. Imihof, D. Hambridge, C. Lindsay, J Field (A. Aryanpour);
N. Field, G. Goodhew (F. Lindsay);
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Sam Balogun - all action
Blog Writer - David Hambridge
Thursday, 1 January 2009
The Epitomy of a Derby!
The tension could be felt around the whole of north London for the return derby match that TP had narrowly lost 1-0 only a few weeks previously.
With the links between the 2 teams becoming even more prominent in this game (most notably an EEFC church member facing up against his home church wearing the orange of TP), the message was to simply not lose and avenge the previous defeat!
However, a 19 man squad the evening before the match became a 10 man starting team, with several being knocked down by illness and a few late arrivals.
The most notable absence was that of Steve, suffering from a head injury received the night before in a freak accident. That couldn't stop him though, and he made his way to the Flats to take his place between the sticks about 20mins into the game.
But to back track, EEFC were sitting 2nd in the league and their quality was showing against a valiant 10man defence. And just when confidence was starting to grow in the TP ranks, injury struck once again to an unfortunate Gareth. But, not wanting to let the team down, a tactical shuffle moved Colin to centre forward and Gareth to centre back.
And although it was backs to the wall, 'passes' (for the more cynical readers this could read clearances!) were finding their way to the Enfield half where there was a confidence in the oranges that problems could be caused.
However, whilst still with 10men Enfield made the most of a set piece and their dominance of the aerial battle saw them put a ball into the box for a back post header to come back across the goal and find the smallest of gaps between Nick's head and the cross bar.
TP did end the half with 11 men of the pitch - Dan Spinola coming on (Steve replaced the injured Gareth, bring David out into his more comfortable centre back position). And 11 v 11 was a lot closer.
The game - as any good derby should be - was full of full bloodied tackles, chasing lost causes and
honest 'hustling' of the opposition at every opportunity.
TP went in 1-0 down at half time but with more than enough confidence the game was theirs for the taking.
The second half more of exactly the same, but a more direct approach towards the Enfield goal was taken and problems caused. And in spite of TP going 2-0 down from an attack from Enfields less dangerous left hand side when there had been minimal threat all half, the drive of TP to get something from the game grew stronger.
This eventually resulted in a prolonged period of TP pressure which - with hassling from Ferris - led to an Enfield defender putting past his own goal keeper.
Confidence grew further and a more creative, 'TP' style of play emerged and a great spell of football saw Dan Spinola past the Enfield defence with the ball at his feet, one on one with the goal-keeper and Calvin to his right for support. The support was taken and Calvin buried into an empty net only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. No derby is complete without an item of controversy!
The rest of the game belonged to TP but the pressure from corners and throws didn't pay off and the result was again another narrow defeat.
Team:
D. Hambridge;
S. Ranthe, C. Agbabiaka, N. Speroni (c), J. Middleweek;
M. Okolie (N. Field), A. Aryanpour, C. Lindsay, D. Spinola;
F. Lindsay, G. Goodhew (S. Speroni)
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Arsan Aryanpour - full of drive and covered every blade of grass (that could be found under the mud!)
With the links between the 2 teams becoming even more prominent in this game (most notably an EEFC church member facing up against his home church wearing the orange of TP), the message was to simply not lose and avenge the previous defeat!
However, a 19 man squad the evening before the match became a 10 man starting team, with several being knocked down by illness and a few late arrivals.
The most notable absence was that of Steve, suffering from a head injury received the night before in a freak accident. That couldn't stop him though, and he made his way to the Flats to take his place between the sticks about 20mins into the game.
But to back track, EEFC were sitting 2nd in the league and their quality was showing against a valiant 10man defence. And just when confidence was starting to grow in the TP ranks, injury struck once again to an unfortunate Gareth. But, not wanting to let the team down, a tactical shuffle moved Colin to centre forward and Gareth to centre back.
And although it was backs to the wall, 'passes' (for the more cynical readers this could read clearances!) were finding their way to the Enfield half where there was a confidence in the oranges that problems could be caused.
However, whilst still with 10men Enfield made the most of a set piece and their dominance of the aerial battle saw them put a ball into the box for a back post header to come back across the goal and find the smallest of gaps between Nick's head and the cross bar.
TP did end the half with 11 men of the pitch - Dan Spinola coming on (Steve replaced the injured Gareth, bring David out into his more comfortable centre back position). And 11 v 11 was a lot closer.
The game - as any good derby should be - was full of full bloodied tackles, chasing lost causes and
honest 'hustling' of the opposition at every opportunity.
TP went in 1-0 down at half time but with more than enough confidence the game was theirs for the taking.
The second half more of exactly the same, but a more direct approach towards the Enfield goal was taken and problems caused. And in spite of TP going 2-0 down from an attack from Enfields less dangerous left hand side when there had been minimal threat all half, the drive of TP to get something from the game grew stronger.
This eventually resulted in a prolonged period of TP pressure which - with hassling from Ferris - led to an Enfield defender putting past his own goal keeper.
Confidence grew further and a more creative, 'TP' style of play emerged and a great spell of football saw Dan Spinola past the Enfield defence with the ball at his feet, one on one with the goal-keeper and Calvin to his right for support. The support was taken and Calvin buried into an empty net only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. No derby is complete without an item of controversy!
The rest of the game belonged to TP but the pressure from corners and throws didn't pay off and the result was again another narrow defeat.
Team:
D. Hambridge;
S. Ranthe, C. Agbabiaka, N. Speroni (c), J. Middleweek;
M. Okolie (N. Field), A. Aryanpour, C. Lindsay, D. Spinola;
F. Lindsay, G. Goodhew (S. Speroni)
Blog Writers Man of the Match:
Arsan Aryanpour - full of drive and covered every blade of grass (that could be found under the mud!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
