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Loan signing Chris Sullivan made an
immediate impact as Terrors returned to the Ryman Leagues
remotest and most inhospitable outpost on Saturday. From the
start both sides were keen to demonstrate their attacking
intentions, although with Joe Vines suspended, Matt Yorks
scope for moving forward was always going to be restricted
against direct, free scoring opponents. Tooting made
good use of winger Sullivan, whilst the home side tried to
take advantage of the stiff breeze at their backs by launching
the ball forward into space - although they took a while to
get the range right. However, there was an early stark warning
of trouble to come as Dave King fluffed one of his trademark
dribbled clearances, forcing him into a fingertip save.
Referee Rubery had clearly decided that he
was not going to contract frostbite of the fingertips by
getting out his notebook, so the challenge that provided Matt
York with a straight 20 yard free kick attempt went
unpunished. The wall, though, did its job and the danger
passed. Sullivan had been turning the home defence
inside out from the start and after 20 minutes he consolidated
this threat with a fine solo goal, cutting into the penalty
box and calmly slotting home low to Wisemans left. But
the joy was shortlived, as King was not so lucky with his
second messed up clearance. This time his gifted pass
was returned with interest, looping high over his head and
dropping directly into the back of the net.
Sensing that The Terrors were unsettled by
the freak goal Canvey pressed forward. Under pressure
Howell headed a dangerous cross clear for a corner which was
directed just under the crossbar and which King would be
expected to claim easily. Perhaps the wind played its part,
but the keeper only palmed the ball onto the head of Chris
Moore for 2-1. Ten minutes later and the home side
killed the game with a third. King could only block a powerful
short range shot, but was powerless to keep out the rebound.
Tooting did not lie down though. Paul Vines
broke free, firing just wide after 39 minutes and a Sullivan
snapshot was only saved at the second attempt. The
two then combined for an attempt that was headed off the line.
Half
Time 1 -
3
Terrors continued purposefully with Vines
and McLeod going close, but it was hard going against a side
who were experienced enough to know that they did not need to
take any risks and solid enough to carry the plan thorough.
Sullivan came closest to reducing the deficit about twenty
minutes from the end when he again cut in from the left and
shot low. This time one of an array of shin pads greeted
the ball on the line and it pinged away to safety.
Paul Vines had Moore scrambling to save at
his feet. Jon Henry Hayden ran himself into the ground,
making a nuisance of himself despite giving away about two
foot in height to most of the home side. Sullivan,
Hartburn and York all had free kick attempts, the first being
saved and the last two just clearing the crossbar.
The home team made sure that the traffic was
not all one way though. This may have been of great
concern, as Aaron Goode limped off fifteen minutes into the
half. However, Oliver Hunt is clearly keeping himself
switched on during his extended bench time as one tackle in
particular, picked off the attackers toes, demonstrated that
we do have quality in depth in some positions.
A tough assignment, but the of green
shoots of recovery were there, albeit under a layer of
frost. Surely spring is just around the corner!
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