| Tootings opening
match on returning to the top flight of the Ryman League ended
in disappointment following a low key encounter with last
seasons strugglers from Hertfordshire.
Despite a summer of change it was the visitors who looked
the more comfortable side throughout as the Terrors rarely
troubled keeper Imber. Opening with a 3-5-3 formation
Tooting started feeling the pressure in the 5th minute when a
strong tackle from debutant Aaron Goode presented the visitors
with their first corner, which was not cleared. The second
corner came in low, but was fluffed by Jason Pinnock, allowing
Donnelly to open the scoring.
The early retirement of Kunle, limping off on the half
hour, brought John Henry-Hayden into the fray, but the main
attacking tool was direct from the back, albeit with long
accurate passes. However, the visitors were not
seriously troubled.
Half Time 0-1
Reverting to 4-4-2 Goode moved in front of the back line
and started to demonstrate what an important signing he could
prove to be, strong tackling and happy to take the ball
forward confidently. Fifteen minutes in and the Terrors
finally started to apply a bit of pressure. A defensive error
freed Paul Vines at the edge of the area with just the keeper
to beat, which he duly did with the aid of a post.
Three minutes later the visitors almost scored a carbon
copy of their first. On the half hour John Wordsworth received
a second yellow card and the dream was back on. Ten minutes
from the end John Henry-Hayden was pulled back by both
shoulders in the middle of the penalty area, amazingly referee
Venamore chose not to see it, despite his proximity to the
incident.
Attempting to push home the numerical advantage Tooting
tried to press forward, but made little impact against well
organised opponents. In fact, of the few half chances
created, the better ones were built by the visitors, most
tellingly in the final minute when, following a corner earned
after Dave King had pushed over a long distance pot shot,
substitute Ofori headed the winner after confusion in the home
defence.
Five minutes of added time gleamed attempts from
Henry-Hayden and substitute Pitterson, but 'Wood were never
really in danger.
Debuts today: Goode, Olusesi, Stevens, Pitterson
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