1TM went into this fixture desperate to bounce back after last week’s poor result. Tactical Tally has a few glorious headache decisions regarding starting line up and shuffling the pack. Noticeable additions were new CB signing ‘Mallet’ waltzing straight into the starting 11 after a strong Tuesday Night Lights session along with Dev, who had rushed back to fitness following a pulled hammy during a needless forward run in a school match. With Leo seeing red last week, it meant that Lozza was deployed out wide on the wing and the gargantuan figure that is Crouchy played up top. Teacher Friends Gibbon and Boneless also traveled with the team with the latter getting nod at right back. 1TM started with a decent intensity and settled the better of the two teams. The front three of Duplo, Crouchy and Flat White were constant pests in winning the ball back, which created a couple of early openings and 1TMs first goal. Flat White did some great defensive work in the Monkey half and managed to get the ball out to Pet Shop. He played a lovely through ball to the grateful Duplo and he made no mistake with an accomplished finish. Monkeys had a couple of chances soon after with 1 hitting the post and another fortuitously hitting POB in the face, but it was 1TM who were able to score the decisive goal. Smart work from Lozza and Crouchy won us a corner and with Team Avatar going into the box we were always a threat. Pet shop delivered another killer ball and Tommo scored. HT 2-0 Monkeys came out with more purpose in the second half and could’ve got back into the game with a goal. A great team performance in defending meant they were restricted to only a couple of chances and POB was having one of those nights. FT 2-0 It was greatly contested game and credit to the officials for their approach. The PM lads were brilliant at the final whistle for their sportsmanship despite the result. We all wish you well for the remainder of the season. Special thanks to JR, Rich Tea and special guest Pingu for coming down to support
Aioli Monkeys fell to defeat in the cup opener at the hands of 1TM Latini under the Friday night lights. We just didn’t turn up in the first 20 minutes and conceded two very avoidable goals from our point of view, giving us an uphill struggle for the rest of the game. The first after giving the ball away in a dangerous area and the second a near post header straight from a corner. We did improve after that and created numerous chances but a combination of the woodwork and an inspired performance from the Latini keeper meant the game finished 2-0. Congrats to Latini for their victory. We now have a bit of work to do to get out of this group!