Match Review: 1TM Latini FC vs TGA Rangers FC

• GK Pete O'Brien
• DF Ben Tomlinson
• DF Jonathan Baker
• DF Thomas Sumantri
• DF Charlie Stark
• ST Jacob Saurin
• ST Leo Rocha
• ST Luke Townsend
• -- Lewis Wood
• -- Yuji UENO
• -- Federico Cristina

• MD George Parrott
• -- Takuro Isikura
• -- Harry Falconer

A real humdinger to open the season; a game that surely would feature 1st on the MOTD playlist. We completely blitzed the defending champs in the 1st 15 mins and took a deserved 3-0 lead. A great team goal, A towering heading from Digit and A Fede pen. A Topsy Turvy half resulted in a 3 v 3 honours even score line at the HT break. TGA dominating post water break scored a penalty of their own, a controversial goal and a fine Sharples strike. 1TM undeterred showed great character in the 2nd half and created multiple chances and on another day would have put the game out of reach. With just 4 minutes to go 1TM edged in front with another fine team goal (and finish from Duplo) after knocking on the door most the half. We had a great couple of one on one chances to seal the victory but Sharples scored a sublime injury time solo goal to snatch a point. There was still time for further drama as Duplo hit the underside of the crossbar from a free kick with the last kick of the game. The new fat goal frames not helping us! Certainly feels like 2 points lost rather than a point gained given the circumstances and balance of play/decisions. But a great performance from a new look 1TM side and we take confidence going into next week. Cheers to Rangers for a cracker of a game, fair play for bouncing back from that opening 15 mins, and Sharples is no longer allowed to join our training sessions. MOTM 1TM - Digit TGA - Sharples DOD – Devonshire Kit – Captain POB

• Adam Erickson GK
• Fraser Anderson DF
• Taishi Fukuda DF
• Jonathan Cloak DF
• Jordan Laing DF
• Nathan Bryer MD
• Nick Ryland MD
• Ryan Shanter MD
• Rich Sexton MD
• Yuto Nagai ST
• Mike Sharples ST

• Victor Felicia MD
• Stephen McLaughlin MD
• Aaron Clancey-Agius ST

So with the new season upon us, the target is quite simply to retain the title we won a few months back. With everyone raring to go, along with a couple of eye catching summer signings, we were up and running against the old foes Latini. If you were to write a script of the worst opening 15 minutes for Rangers to have this would have probably been it. Latini came out the blocks faster, sharper and with an intent that we simply did not match. Firstly, great play down the right led to their striker nodding in past Adam. This followed by Tommo reacting quickest to another ball from the right and heading home easily. We were not good enough. To top it off a very basic pass back in the box to JC in defence was misjudged by the big man and he completely bottled it with his hand. Penalty given and dispatched by Fede again for his brace. The only saving grace was the fact this was just 15 mins in. A few minutes later we had our first chance, Nate making some space down the left to cross for Jordy, who was fouled trying to shoot. Penalty given and tucked away by sick-fade Sharples. Straight after the drinks break we had another, a bit more controversial this time. Sharples made ground down the left, cut inside to lift the ball to the unmarked Nate who headed down and the ball bounced over POB after going through Neil’s legs. Offside given but overruled, after an eternity, by ref Rob, not sure why. The equaliser came just before half time, Sharples receiving the ball some 25 yards out and sparking it past POB, some finish that. HT: 3-3 (we all needed a breather). The second half couldn’t match up to it could it?? Not really but it was a fairly tight affair, Latini getting more of the ball and Rangers failing to take the momentum of the first half further on. A few chances came and went until Duplo had a quick 1-2 on the edge of the box and missile launched it through Adam in nets, yes through! Too hot to handle. That was seemingly the winner however we all know sick-fade Sharples loves a hat trick which duly came in the 90th minute to seal a memorable solo run and dinked finish. As time was nearly up, Nate fouled Tommo on the edge of the box for one last effort...Duplo stepped up....struck it beautifully.......everything went in slow motion.....Adam was nowhere near it.....and the ball cannoned onto the bar and bounced safe. Really close shave and finished a very entertaining 4-4. Tommo gets Latinis MoM for his bossing of the midfield, ticking it over constantly. Sharples gets ours for well you know why.