|
Terrors home hoodoo ended with an easy win against a Bognor side that are still playing
to their relegation form of last season.
In an embarrassingly one sided first half Tooting quickly realised that their visitors were not functioning as a unit and started to
poke holes in a very shaky back line, Paul Vines being
the first to break through and winning a corner after
five minutes.
Having nearly put a long throw directly into the net (although for some
reason Ender elected to tip it over for a corner), Nelson
stayed up field and was first to the resulting corner,
forcing the keeper to save low on his goal line.
The opening goal was
not long in coming. Paul Vines leapt to meet Jason
Henrys cross and found the top corner with a looping
header that was not dissimilar to Aaron Goode's' effort
against Maidstone.
Pitterson and Hartburn had the midfield to themselves,
establishing supply lines from every direction. Jason Henry,
although closely marked, showed great skill in setting
up chances, but was unable to finish any of them
himself.
Twenty minutes passed before Bognor got going and
after a couple of practice tries forced Dave King a smart save
from close range. Terrors countered immediately with Nelson
again the spearhead, rounding off the move with
another header, this time over the bar.
Jamie Byatt then came close with a header when he
latched onto a high ball from Nelson that was well saved by
Ender.
The home pressure continued to build with Joe Vines
winning a corner following a Hartburn free kick.
The delivery was only half cleared back to its
originator Matt York, who found the head of Paul Vines
with his second cross, Two nil!
Further chances fell to Henry and Vines, but there
was no further scoring before the break.
Half Time: Terrors 2-0
Bognor Regis T
Bognor restarted much more
purposefully, winning much more ball and, occasionally holding on to
it, with energetic sub Matt Wood leading the way. But
even though the black and white tide was temporarily
stemmed, it had not turned and Vines was involved in a couple of early
chances, with Aaron Goode involved in the approach
work. . However, it was action at the other end that
offered the next talking point. Having warned players about pushing in the penalty area Mitch Nelson was pulled up for exactly that by referee Linden,
conceding a penalty that looked harsh but which Birmingham
gleefully converted.
 |
Tempers started to fray on both sides and, shortly after Joe Vines had been called to account for a
late foul, the brain vacant Norgate was dismissed for exacting retribution off the ball, but in full view of
all, with an elbow into Joes face.
The nerves that had surfaced following the penalty quickly subsided
and Tooting started to find their rhythm once more. Jason Henry continued to show great control under
pressure, first laying the ball on for Paul Vines, who dragged his shot
wide, and then winning a
free kick in the 'D' after his trickiness got too much for the defence.
Busy Byatt then decided to take on the entire midfield and
defence (The map outlines his voyage)..
Surely such an epic journey deserved to end in glory,
rather than the side netting!
Ten minutes fro time Aaron Goode found himself in acres of space about
30 yards from goal with the ball at his feat following a botched clearance attempt. Spotting
Ender at the edge of his box his pinpoint lob
gave the keeper no chance and put the result beyond any possible doubt. |
A three header move that easily clearing the crossbar
proved to be the final Bognor attack. Sub Sam Clayton
created a chance for himself which became the second of the afternoon to end up in the side netting. |
