The Terrors

GOALS

Once again the Terrors ended a match frustrated after losing to a late goal.

Indeed they could have conceded quite a few more in the 1^st half but might just as easily have sneaked a win following a much improved 2^nd half performance that will hopefully allay the fears of fans that a difficult season might lie ahead.  However, continuing to concede soft goals in this higher division will make things difficult.

Bouadji, McLeod and youngster Pitterson replaced Pinnock, Byatt & Kunle from Saturdays line-up, with on loan keeper Laurie Walker in for the now travelling King.  Pitterson started brightly, showing some good work on the ball in the middle and with the freedom to support the front two on either flank. However, it was generally another uncomfortable 1^st half as Billericay slipped ball after ball through to their wide men and behind our advanced wing backs. The Toots 3 man defense countered this by maintaining a high line that soon saw the off-side flag count into double figures, although better finishing, mainly by striker Flack, could have seen Tooting 2 or 3 goals down by half time.

The Blues suffered an early injury when central defender Cole departed after just 19 minutes, to be replaced by the eventual match winner Bricknell. Town were getting the ball wide and raining crosses in from both flanks, testing the aerial strength of the Hunt/Vines/Bouadji combination. The only respite for Striped fans was seeing Hartburn and his opponent both slide tackle coach Danny Carroll. 

On 25 minutes a ball down the right hand side found Bouadji over aggressively bodily challenging Flack inside the box, bundling him over. The resulting penalty was calmly dispatched by the same player.

A Paul Vines header looped over the bar from a corner was soon followed by a Hamlin cross that resulted in two potential chances, Hartburn having the second shot blocked.  Town responded with another break by Wareham down the left flank and a cross that gave Flack a golden chance in the middle just inches from the line, only denied by a combination of last ditch tackles and the two left boots he seemed to be wearing.

Confusion in our back 3 (5?) continued with Town finding space behind the pushed forward Hamlin and Hartburn time after time that saw players and management screaming at each other in frustration. Although Tooting were winning the aerial balls at the back, Town were winning the same battle in midfield, with Shave particularly effective.

Stevens had a shooting chance from a turn in the box with another chance soon after for Paul Vines following a foul. Then a bizarre passing sequence between Joe Vines and Bouadji just outside the Tooting box nearly gifted Town a goal at the other end.

But against the run of play it was Tooting who were to equalize when a good passing sequence saw McLeod releasing Hartburn on a run into the left corner to fire over a fine deep cross to the far post where Vines P slid in to finish.

Half Time  1-1

The 2^nd half started in worrying fashion with Wareham enjoying a ‘Moses parts the Red Sea’ moment as he ran with the ball from deep inside his own half only to blaze over the bar from the edge of the Tooting box leaving a trail of the zebra clad in his wake.
This was followed by two more wide Town breaks and Shave continuing to dominate midfield in the air.  However then the tide started to turn.

‘The back 3 are playing too close together’ had been assistant manager George Wakeling’s assessment before the match resumed and some tinkering had been effected in that region.  A colossal performance from Joe Vines to nullify the aerial threat of Shave on numerous occasions and Paul Vines winning headers and flick on’s up front saw a much more solid Tooting. 

Hunt stopped a break down the left with a good tackle and Tooting had a half chance following a McLeod pass and Hamlin cross. Tooting made two 70^th minute replacements, replacing Hunt and Stevens with Pinnock and Henry-Hayden and gradually increased the pressure.  Hartburn was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking from a patient Mr Rubery when he clattered into Semanshia leaving the full back hobbling. The tackle nearly had a knock on effect as Semanshia did well to get himself to a last gasp tackle on Henry-Haden just as he was about to unload having been played in down the middle.

Town took off the careless Flack to strengthen the midfield, but this did not stop Hartburn feeding Paul Vines for an ambitious overhead effort and another break from Henry-Haden.  Tooting were then forced to replace a cramping McLeod with Byatt and almost immediately the winner was conceded.  An 87^th minute cross was headed out yet again by Joe Vines, but had only been half cleared when it was played back in again for substitute Bricknell to slot home..

Enough time remained for further breakaway chances for both sides, but Town finished with the points.  Cue much jubilation from Town supporters who had been disappointed not to get something from their last match at Staines. Disappointment for the travelling Stripes supporters, who had seen their side come back from a confused 1^st half defensive showing to battle really hard and deserve at least a point.

TEAMS

View from the other end