20011/12  Match Summaries

 

Monday 2nd January 2012

2 - 1
  Scorers Stimson

 

Matt Drage returned to the left of defence along with keeper Giddins. Influential Steve Ferguson picked up a groin strain on Saturday and was not risked.

K's had marginally the better of the opening exchanges, but Tooting were unlucky to fall behind after quarter of an hour when skipper Fletcher put through his own new when defending a low right wing cross from Fola Olironishe. The home side started to look a decent bet to capitalise on the lead, but failed to make good with several attempts before Charlie Stimson again showed his close range predatory skills by touching home a free kick to equalise.

The goal livened up the Terrors, with youngsters Hall and Wanadio combining well, but there was little more goalmouth action

 Half Time: Kingstonian  1-1  Tooting & Mitcham

Chances were again at a premium after the break.  Tooting only created one serious effort throughout the period, when Reece Hall set up Stimson, who shot over the bar.  At the other end a handled back pass by Giddens caused a nervous moment or two, but there seemed little danger of the scorers being bothered again until eight minutes from time when Duff cleaned up on the rebound from an Olironishe header to grab the points for Ks.

 

Team: Giddins, Drage, Wanadio, Habu, Fletcher, Wilson, England (McCann), Hall, Stimson, Brayley, Henry-Francis

Subs not used: French, Daley, Grant, Clark  

 

 

Saturday 7th January 2012

4 - 2
Hall (2), Brayley, Habu Scorers Sobers, Cousins

Billericay had started the day as league leaders. Meanwhile the Terrors were 2 places off the bottom having won only one home game since the end of October defeat of Lowestoft (who now return to the top). Plus Tooting went behind after initially leading which has too often led to a complete collapse. And yet today………

 

In addition to striker Jay May the Town team featured 3 other Herculean figures in the form of Sobers, Swaine and Wild who lumbered up field for every set piece where they created havoc. And this command of the aerial ball made things difficult for the Terrors throughout the match with Giddens having to stop any number of shots from nod downs.

 

But it was Tooting who scored first in the 18th min against the run of play after two good runs with the ball by the eye catching Noble. He played the ball wide to Stimson on the left who touched it inside for Hall whose shot was slightly miscued but still dribbled over the line before a Town defender could intercept.

 

Sadly it took Billericay a mere two minutes to equalize when the defensive header of a cross from the right wing remained in the danger zone and the towering Sobers was the most determined of a mass contesting the next header and powered the ball home.

 

Shortly after Cousins drove forward and released a shot from well outside the box that looped over Giddens and dropped in.  Oh dear, would the Terrors tamely capitulate?

 

Ferguson had returned from injury and was playing a wide right role but being selective in when he pushed forward with pace. And he did so in the 36th min when a long Giddens clearance was brought down by Hall and played behind the defender to him. Sadly the ball was a little wide and the shot tame. 

 

Mr Linden had already received plenty of verbal encouragement from the Tooting faithful in particular for his constant whistling of minor infringements without really taking command of the match. And his weakness contributed to a melee just before half time when Habu was frustrated at not being awarded a free kick after clearly being obstructed by two opponents when going for the ball and dived in to a spiteful tackle. He was joined in the book by Sobers and Wilson on the advice of the assistants for handbag throwing in a melee that involved most of the 22 on the pitch. Another Town defender received a yellow shortly after for a soft foul on Drage and more cards were issued in the 2nd half when his weakness generated play acting. Firmer earlier please Mr Linden.

 

Still time in the half for Ferguson to shoot weakly from a lovely chip over by Noble and Brayley to have a shot well saved low down after a quality lay off from Hall.

 Half Time: Terrors  1-2  Billericay Town

Before the match restarted the injured Stimson was replaced by French and within 10 minutes Tooting were level.

Ferguson broke quickly down the right from deep and the defender could only glance his cross on to Hall who had made up ground well to finish with a simple tap in at the far post.

 

Shortly after Hall put in another cross, the defender completely miscued his attempted clearance and the ball squirmed just wide of the post. Wild was then booked for a stopping foul on the rampaging Wilson.

 

Billericay had been commanding in the 1st half but now looked much less comfortable. The Terrors were competing well at the back, avoiding lumping long balls down the throats of their tall defenders and instead playing down the flanks and spreading the ball from one side to the other.  Much more encouraging.

 

Then Brayley put us in front again on 61 mins with a Goal of the Season contender when he controlled a nod on in the box and in one movement chipped it over the defender, swivelled and shot home with a hitch kick finish.

 

Mr Linden was fast running out of puff in his efforts to exert the control he was seeking and bookings for Hawe and Poole followed as Town became more ragged in their attempts to contain the free running Wannadio and Hall. But they still managed to conjure up a shot that whacked off the crossbar from a cross and another shot from substitute Onwubiko that Giddens saved well.

 

Tooting sealed a well deserved victory in the 82nd min when Hall cut in from the left and had a shot well saved low down. From the resulting corner the first attempt of Fletcher was blocked but Habu was on hand to finish off the goal his fine performance deserved.

 

A fine 2nd half showing from by the new Kenny Brown side and a well deserved victory.

Six teams around us at the bottom lost so although we only jump one place confidence must be higher after this win.

Report by Bondy

Team: Jack Giddens, Matt Drage, Luke Wannadio, Jordan Wilson, Ronnie Fletcher (C), Mo Habu, Steve Ferguson, Max Noble, Charlie Stimson (Connor French 45), Bertie Bratley (Steven Demetriou 78), Reece Hall.

Subs not used: Jensen Grant, Kieran McCann, Mikey Daley 

 

Saturday 21st January 2012

1 - 3
McCollin Scorers Leech, Toney, Buckly

Fielding an unchanged starting eleven for the first time in many months Terrors shaded the first half, but could not make the most of their possession or gain any advantage from the strong wind at their backs. Possibly because of the two week gap between matchers there was little sign of the sharpness and fluency that had been developing in recent games and the ball was given away much too easily at the back both through poor passing and interceptions by more alert opponents.

 

Triston Tony triggered the early alarm bells by dispossessing a defender before firing over the bar, but Tooting soon settled and holding a back heel from Ferguson was the first duty of a busy half for the excellent Viner in the Harrow goal.

 

It was looking good for Tooting when Brayley twice shot just over in quick order, connecting with a Reece Hall cross and then with a corner, but midway through the period it was the visitors who struck, bundling home a poorly defended corner from close range. 

 

Parity was nearly restored immediately when a forty yard free kick bounced awkwardly in front of goal and brought a flying fingertip save from Viner. But the keepers finest moment came ten minutes from the break as he somehow fished out a spiteful low half volley from Stimson from the bottom corner.

 

Half Time Tooting 0-1 Harrow

 

Hopes of a repeat of the Billericay second half quickly faded as Harrow began to dominate. With only a saved Furguson shot to show for the first fifteen minutes. Things started to go wrong at the back.  Drage made good a mistake by Habu, whose back header had been picked up by Toney, before the striker pounced on a half save by Giddins to net the second.

 

Reverting to three at the back, Drage having made way for French, was necessary risk, but it failed to pay off and Giddens was kept busy until Buckle delivered the killer blow with a neat chip over the keeper.

 

A late flurry was only ever going to deliver consolation, which came in the form of a fine finish from Andre McCollin, warmly welcomed back as a substitute following a two month injury lay off

Team: Giddens, Drage(French), Wanadio, Wilson(Dove), Fletcher, Habu, Ferguson, Noble, Stimson, Brayley(McCollin), Hall  Not used: Demetriou, England

Saturday 28th January 2012

1 - 3
  Scorers Stimson, French, Ferguson

Jamie England and Connor French demonstrated that competition for places in the Terrors starting line up is red hot as both were given berths and both played key rolls in a comprehensive victory.

 

Flying Scotsman Steve Ferguson celebrated Burns night by cementing his place as a Bog End favourite by setting up the first goal for hot shot Charlie Stimson and then slotting home the third himself to seal the win twenty minutes into the second half.

 

On a cabbage patch of a pitch Terrors soon realised that getting the ball out of defence aerially was the safest approach and it was the Stimson head that applied the finish to Fergusons flick on from a superb wing cross.  French worked hard throughout and was the first to discover how nervous the home defence were of direct runs into the penalty area - something he proved after half an hour when he was clumsily upended by Andre Gumbs.  Having dusted himself down he duly convert the spot kick with a powerful shot that the keeper could only push into the top corner.

 

Hopes of a first clean sheet of the season almost evaporated a minute later when Giddens pushed away what was the first serious Aveley shot, though only as far as a second forward. Fortunately Ronnie Fletcher had stationed himself on the goal line to deal with the follow up.

 

Tooting sat back for the remainder of the half, but still offered the more potent threat through a series of raids, the best involving a marauding Matt Drage, who took on timid defenders as far as the six yard box where it needed a combination of keeper and full back to defect his shot away for a corner.

 

There was one scare just before the interval when the pitch almost conjured up a home goal as a tame shot bounced then kicked high just in front of Giddens, who had to quickly adjust his position to make it safe.

 Half Time: Aveley  0-2  Tooting & Mitcham

Aveley continued to press, but were getting little joy from the sensible safety first defence, expertly led by skipper Ronnie Fletcher.  Tooting continued to counter attack effectively and were rewarded near the hour mark when another Connor French sortie to the home goal line produced a beautiful chip to the waiting Ferguson who side footed his first goal for the club.

Perhaps with Mondays trip to Wealdstone in mind Three substitutions came in quick succession. The team did not really settle again, conceding a harsh penalty for handball by Drage and possibly getting away with a rather more likely one a few minutes later!  With the mythical clean sheet again out of reach Aveley nearly bagged a second five minutes from time - but the shot sailed safely over the bar and there were no further dangers.

 

Team: Giddens, Drage, Wanadio, England(Dove), Fletcher, Habu, Ferguson, Noble, Stimson(Brayley), French(McCollin), Hall  Not used: Demetriou, Wilson 

Monday 30th January 2012

2 - 0
  Scorers  

 

Tooting fans should not be too disheartened by a score line that flattered the home side.  A great game threw up chances for both sides. With an unchanged starting line up it was clear from early on that both sides were going to give their all and they served up a treat form start to finish.

 If a single goal was going to decide it then the Wealdstone opener, midway through the first half, was a worthy winner. Noble and Ferguson had combined well to give the Scot an early chance, but 'Stone bounced straight back with defender Chappell getting into the area and shooting wide.

A goal line scramble and a squandered Jolly break were responded to through another powerful run from Connor French, whose low cross was cleared for a corner. Charlie Stimson connected powerfully with the cross, but could only rattle the boards behind the goal line.

With half an hour gone Wealdstone strung the move of the match together, starting on the left, stringing passes across the park and ending in a powerful header that found it's way in via the bar.  Nothing wrong with the defending, just a great move!

Steve Ferguson had a great chance to equalise a few minutes later when he beautifully controlled a high cross in the box, making himself space to hit a powerful half volley a bit too high and wide.  Terrors pressurised up to the break, with Fletcher heading over from a corner just before the whistle

A 90 minute plus second was certainly more than they deserved on a night that proved that The Terrors are back in business.

 Half Time: Wealdstone 1-0  Tooting & Mitcham

French continued to impose himself with his powerful surging runs and gave keeper North a serious test, forcing him to close down the forward and parry away a powerful shot.  Five minutes on and French dispossessed the keeper in his box, giving Hall a chance which was shot just off target.

Despite the creative promptings of the industrious Noble and England Terrors could not find another way through the expertly organised home defence, who would periodically launch another dangerous counter attack.

England blasted a McCollin won free kick over the bar as injury time beckoned but there was still enough seconds for old nemesis Richard Jolly to charge though and give the scoreline a flattering flourish

 

Team: Giddens, Drage, Wanadio, England, Fletcher, Habu, Ferguson, Noble, Stimson(McCollin), French, Hall( Demetriou) Not used: Brayley, Dove, Wilson 

Tuesday 14th February 2012

4 - 1
  Scorers French

Tootings fortunes turned when Mo Habu limped off towards the end of the first half, not just because of the loss of central defender (skipper Ronnie Fletcher had already been ruled out with a back problem) but also as Cray recovered the lead whilst replacement Jordan Wilsons shirt was retrieved from the dressing room!

Wanderers had taken an early lead with the first for hat trick scorer Tommy Whitnall, but Connor Frenches headed home an equaliser from a corner six minutes later.

Without both first choice central defenders Matt Drage moved into the middle alongside debutant form the reserves Jordan Binns, with Wilson an Wanadio - barely visible beneath the voluminous shorts kindly provided by Bromley FC.

Two second half defensive mishaps completed another four goal haul for Cray either side of a horrific leg injury to defender Sam Long, which delayed the game for around ten minutes. 

Everyone at T&M would like to send Sam our best wishes for a full and rapid recovery.

 Half Time: Cray W   2-1  Tooting & Mitcham

Team: Giddens, Drage, Wanadio, England, Binns, Habu (Wilson), Ferguson, Noble, Stimson (Brayley), French, Hall (McCollin) Not used: Dove, Demitriou 

Saturday 18th February 2012

2 - 2
  Scorers Brayley, Stimson

Kenny Brown paid tribute to his sides "Twelfth man" after the Terrors fantastic fans cheered them on from start to finish. Having fallen behind early, Tooting took a 2-1 lead into the break thanks to a half volley from Bertie Brayley and then a scrambled effort by Charlie Stimson.

Lowestoft were awarded a series of soft free kick around the box but were kept at bay by Darren Behcet, preferred over Giddins.  There were impressive debuts in defence for Tobi Jinadu and the left sided Alfie Wren, ably supported by youngsters Jordan Binns and Matt Drage.

Town pulled one back from free kick set piece five minutes from time and both sides had chances to claim maximum points before the end.

 Half Time: Lowestoft Town  1-2  Tooting & Mitcham

Team: Behcet, Drage, Wren, England(c), Jinadu, Binns, Dove (Ferguson), Noble (Wilson), Stimson, Brayley (Wanadio), Hall  Not used: French, Giddins

Tuesday 21st February 2012

4 - 4
  Scorers Stimson(2), Brayley(2, 1p)

Only 5 of Saturdays starting line up were in Tuesday night's starting XI with Jack Giddens playing in goal and mixture of trialists and promising youngsters from the reserves filling the remaining shirts.

Terrors found themselves a goal down to a strong Bromley side on 21 mins when Lewis Taylor's well struck free kick from the edge of the box flew straight into the top corner. Two mins later the stripes went further behind when the defensive line seemed more concerned about contesting an off side decision not given just in side their own area than defending the ball which allowed Aaron Rhule to slot past Giddens from close range. Gareth Williams made it 3-0 to Bromley two minutes before the break after the Terrors had needlessly given away possession midway inside their own half.

A number of half time changes saw Matt Drage, Jordan Wilson, Reece Hall and Charlie Stimson all starting the second period. Within three minutes of the resumption Charlie Stimson pulled a goal back for the Terrors only to see Bromley extend their lead again midway through the half through former Tooting youngster Pierre Joseph-Dubois.

In a pulsating finale, another substitute, Bertie Brayley made it 2-4 from the penalty spot on 71 mins and with just 10 mins remaining Brayley further reduced the deficit with the goal of the evening - a 35/40 yard left foot half volley from wide out on the right wing which looped into an empty Bromley goal.

Terrors secured the draw seven minutes from time when Charlie Stimson scored his second of the night, a well placed header at the far post following some good work down the left from Bertie Brayley

 

 

Half Time Tooting 0-3 Bromley

 

Saturday 25th February 2012

0 - 1
  Scorers  

It was down to earth with a bang at Imperial Fields this afternoon. It was hard to believe that this was the same side that came so close to winning at Lowesoft.  This was a poor game between two poor sides, neither deserved to win and there was never going to be more than a single goal scored.

Russell in the Canvey goal failed to hold the couple of on target shots that Tooting generated. He parried the first, after fifteen minutes, to the off-side Bertie Brayley and the second, ten minutes from time, to Ronnie Fletcher, who could only spoon it over the open net.

  The winner was another softly conceded effort following a rare Canvey corner after 61 minutes.  The appearance of Connor French from the bench finally introduced a bit of forward momentum to a very lack lustre showing.

 

Half Time Tooting  0-0 Canvey Island

 

Team: Behcet, Drage, Wren, England (Marshall), Fletcher, Jinado, Ferguson (French), Binns (Wilson), Stimson, Brayley, Dove Not used: Giddins, Hall

Saturday 3rd March 2012

2 - 0
  Scorers Brayley, Stimson

Tootings slide continued at Gorings Mead with a display that was even more disjointed than that of the previous week.. Horsham had not registered a league win since August and none at all in this campaign at their temporary home. 

The first half hour offered some encouragement, with the visitors controlling possession, but there was never any threat to the home goal.  Tony Nwachuku is rapidly assuming the role of chief "Terror Terroriser" that was held for so long by Gary Charman and capitalised on a rare breakaway. Thereafter the bottom side steadily grew in confidence.

The second period continued where the first had left off, with Horsham gradually growing in confidence. An early shot from wide flashed across Behcets goal and a free kick generated a just off target header.  Tootings best effort was a Reece Hall range shot five minutes from time, and that was six foot wide of the mark!  There was still time for things to get worse though and a late burst down the left flank saw Horsham score a second with the final kick of the game.

 Half Time: Horsham  1-0  Tooting & Mitcham

Team: Behcet, Drage, Wren, England (Wilson), Fletcher, Jinadu, Ferguson (Marshall), Noble, J Campbell (Brayley), Stimson, Hall  Not used: K Campbell, Ibrahim