Match Review: 1TM Latini FC vs Singapore Football Club

• GK Pete O'Brien
• DF Iain Mul
• DF Fraser Anderson
• DF Jonathan Baker
• DF Ben Tomlinson
• DF Jonathan Cloak
• MD Jamie Townsend
• MD Nathan Bryer
• MD Samuel Taylor
• ST Luke Townsend
• ST Yuto Nagai

• DF Lee Bradshaw
• DF Hiromitsu Nakaue
• MD Stephen McLaughlin
• MD Ismail Bardach
• ST Mike Sharples

SUPER DOOPER

This week’s edition of Friday Night Lights saw a top of the table clash against Singapore Football Club. Tactical Tally was on another overseas scouting mission, this time in Qatar, so the injured Ruby was calling the shots in the dugout. Amongst the subs, it was great to welcome back Sharp Shooter Sharples who had been out for several weeks with a broken foot and got married along the way. Both sides were clearly up for the battle from the first whistle with lots of hotly contested challenges piling in all over TCP1. SFC were the first side to get into their rhythm with decent possession and applied pressure on the 1TM defence with their wide play. That pressure became fruitful when a ball over the top was controlled well by Shotton on the edge of the area and the big striker finished deftly past POB. Our talk of ‘calmness’ and belief that there was ‘plenty of football left’ was challenged when SFC doubled their lead after their captain managed to break through the 1TM defence and thrashed the ball into the net. SFC were full of confidence whilst our heads were down and a bit of bickering began to creep in between teammates so you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was going to be a long night. Thankfully, we had the water break to recollect ourselves and then a bit of argy bargy between players, that was well handled by the ref, galvanised us and from that point on we started to play some really good football. We finally began to be braver on the ball, make better choices in possession and were unlucky not to bring the game level at halftime after carving out some great chances. First Yuto and Duplo came close and then Nate hit the bar from range. Despite the scoreline, 1TM had a spring in their step going into the break. HT 0-2 The momentum stuck with us in the second half and our pressure finally paid off. The in-form Duplo turned provider when he played through Tinks, who shrugged off his man, and slotted home. SFC continued to threaten but our backline stood firm with a collectively strong performance. This was epitomised by Didge’s last ditch tackle to prevent one of their strikers converting a great chance. On 82 minutes, Jav launched a throw-in onto the newly christened George’s head. He flicked on to the back post and who should be there sniffing out a chance but Sharples. The number 9 took one touch and, with his newly healed foot, powered the shot through the keeper and defender and into the net. With 5 minutes left, we felt ready to go again and sensational celebration scenes were sparked when the tricky Snail played a good ball inside to Tinks; Tinks played Duplo through on goal and he finished brilliantly for a last minute winner. 3-2 - unbelievable Jeff! Not long after, the full time whistle was blown to bring the curtain down on an enthralling encounter. It was a great game for the neutral and a good advert for Cosmo. It was competitive but all left out on the pitch and credit goes to the sporting reaction of the SFC players after the game. Thanks to the ref and linesman for managing the players so well. Thanks to the whole squad including Strictly and Steveo and Mr and Mrs Tinks for coming down to watch and smashing the Jager waterfall at Harry’s. MOM SFC - Joe MOM 1TM - Duplo DOD 1TM - Snail for tardiness KIT: POB Jager Tracker: Tally, Flat White, Racky and Angry Nate

• Martin Lavoo GK
• Jahan Rezai DF
• Anthony Garreau MD
• Sam Balls MD
• Tim Walter MD
• Joe Claridge MD
• Liam Shotton ST
• Ryosuke Ataku --
• Kosei Kuga --
• Andrew Hutcheon --
• Josh Jones --

• Fazrul Nawaz ST
• Alex Catanescu --
• Matt Hulen --
• Akil Pompey --

Tale of Two Halves

It was a great night for footy in a top of the table clash between Latini 1TM vs SFC at Turf City. SFC got of to a flying start rushing down all knock downs and building our attack through possession. We put Latini under tremendous pressure and made it difficult for them to play out. The pressure paid off when Liam was played in behind Latini’s back four and showed his quality to settle the ball with his right foot before striking it quickly with this left over the onrushing GK. SFC kept up the pressure and not long after Jahan made one of his trademark runs from RB combining with our midfield and breaking the lines forward to find himself through on goal and able to finish for a 2-0 lead. SFC continued that pressure through the remainder of the first half and though Latini started to find their feet after the water break it was a very complete performance by our boys after 45 minutes. …But matches are not finished after 45 minutes. Latini came out of halftime determined to get a grip on the match and did so within a few minutes as they came out on the front foot forcing a save from Martin in the SFC goal. From the resulting corner SFC cleared the ball away moved the defense up, but failed to deal with along ball put right back in by Latini. SFC CB Kosei, who had been stellar on the night, mis controlled the ball in and Tinks pounced to bring Latini back in the match at 2-1. The match stayed that way with both teams getting chances here and there and demanding saves from each GK. However, you could sense momentum shifting as the half went on and Latini started to win more and more loose balls and knockdowns. SFC tactically went a bit deeper to preserve our 2-1 lead with 10 minutes left in the match, but ultimately, we couldn’t close up shop and conceded from a long throw in. The throw was flicked back and half cleared away only to find its way to Sharples (face palm) at the top of the box who’s technique and clean strike punished us as the ball found the back of the net. The match was 2-2 at that point and both teams continued to push for the three points. However, in extra time after a tidy 1-2 from Sam Taylor (I think) around the SFC midfield he was able to put Luke Townsend in on goal who showed is quality by deftly placing the ball in the corner under the pressure of the moment. Congrats to Latini who showed great character to bounce back on the night and work ethic to break momentum and build it back up to favour themselves. Also, a big welcome back to Mike Sharples, nice to see him back playing again.