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
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