TMS Tap In A Win

Saturday 24^th September

vs. TMS 0-5

Team: Ciarán B; Lewis, Tom, Stephen, Matty; Josh, Joe, Caleb (capt.), Adam, Ciarán S, Elliot. Subs: Danny, Jacob.

The boys were left to rue not taking their chances in the first half as the league favourites ran out comfortable winners.

They started well, with Josh and Adam on the flanks pushing forward but also covering back to break up any TMS attacks. Ciarán S and Elliot linked well in the 6^th minute to set up Caleb but his shot fizzed over the bar. Ciarán S then set up Elliot who forced a low save from the keeper. Ciarán B had also got in a good nerve-settling save above his head.

A minute later they were a goal down as TMS scored with their first real attack. The midfield hesitated, but the whistle was from a match on an adjacent pitch and TMS took full advantage. Ciarán B was at full stretch to save, only for the forward following up to tap home – and it wouldn’t be for the first time.

They pushed forward looking for the equaliser but, after Josh had created space on the right, neither Ciarán S nor Elliot got a shot on goal and it was left to Joe to return the clearance from long range just wide of the post. They were forcing their opponents back and allowing them to play only on the break but they were to prove that they still had a ruthless streak. Ciarán B again pulled off a good save in the 14^th minute but they were straight back at them with the left winger catching the defence napping as his low shot nestled into the far corner of the net.

The boys continued to play neat football, passing it crisply around and creating opportunities. The TMS keeper could only push out a Josh corner unconvincingly and low ball across the face of goal from Joe was deflected wide.

Elliot’s shot in the 18^th minute brought a full length save out of the keeper and, from Joe’s corner, Matty’s touch went straight to the keeper. After Stephen had been alert to stop another break, Caleb was fouled just outside the box. Taking the free kick himself, the keeper needed two goes to save Caleb’s shot and prevent them from getting the goal their first half display merited. With Adam and Josh again teaming up on the left to create some space, TMS were clinging on to the two goal advantage, although they closed the half with a succession of corners that were stoutly defended by the boys.

Jacob and Danny replaced Elliot and Lewis for the second half, as TMS responded to what must surely have been a tongue lashing from their manager and began to take control of the game. An early corner whizzed straight through as a sign of things to come and they crowded Ciarán S out after Caleb had found him unmarked.

After 33 minutes the boys went three down, making it too easy on the right and the cross was slotted past Ciarán B. Two minutes later the Crosby keeper was left horribly exposed as two attackers bore down on him: the goal was allowed to stand even though the second forward took a greedy touch to see it over the line, despite protests for offside to the referee.

On 37 minutes Ciarán B took his time – and two touches – to collect a high shot and set the boys back on the attack. However, they were struggling in this half to bring the ball under control and force a save from the TMS keeper. Danny and Ciarán B worked some space on the right to create a chance for Jacob after 40 minutes. From the resulting corner, Matty mistimed his header into his own feet.

After 42, Ciarán B was smartly out to take the ball off the forward’s feet and quickly start another attack – a bit too quick for his fellow defenders who struggled to take advantage of the roll out.

Matty was holding his own at left back and Tom looked far more comfortable at right back, having swapped with Joe, but they almost went further behind after 45 minutes as a rasping shot across the face of the goal cannoned off the far post with Ciarán B a mere spectator. TMS scored a fifth after 49 minutes as a comedy of errors left the forward with an easy tap-in.

 

Adam had spent more time doubling up with Matty on the left in the second half than pushing forward but he broke through to set up a chance for Ciarán S late on. Jacob saw a snap chance fly over the bar before that and took advantage of a good low ball from Joe to set up Caleb at the death but he was denied a consolation as his shot sliced wide.

The boys didn’t deserve to lose by such a margin but were guilty in the first half of not taking their chances and of not defending in the second. The midfield must remember that they are equally responsible for stopping their opponent’s attacks as they are for launching ours and the number of tap-ins highlighted how easy TMS found it to get beyond the defenders throughout the game.

Matty was as reliable as ever at left back and a steady performance, allied to positive play when both defending and attacking at corners won him the accolade of this week’s Man of the Match.