First game playing together for TEFA FC, we knew it was going to be tough against Panama, a well established team who looked alot sharper and more match fit. Playing on the largest pitch in the world (dont quote me on that) the odds were against us. However, TEFA FC dug deep and pulled off a commendable performance with a no surrender attitude.
Kick Off...
First half the defence looked a little bit shaky, which is understandable for a first game with Michael Hirsch coming out of retirement and Stuart Hirsch filling in at left back. And after constant bombardment Panana scored the opening goal due to poor marking and no one following up the second ball.
The middlefield was running around all over the place and the strikers were dropping too deep. There was no real shape.
We then went 2-0 down after a calamity moment by Lee Wills in goal.
We then started to find our feet. The defence were starting to get an understanding and the midfield was battling hard with Liam and Lewis throwing in tackles left right and centre. Panama's feathers were ruffled!!
Then after winning the ball in midfield, captian for the day (Liam Boon) made a one-two pass with Robert, bamboozled his way into the box to slotted the ball past the keeper - 2-1!! Game on!!
Panama then struck back and retained their 2 goal cushion with a great headed goal from a corner. The marking was none existant. Something the gaffa will have to address. 3-1 to Panama.
Then, a moment of horror! In a freak accident, Lewis landed and twisted his arm causing him to dislocate his elbow. We feared the worse as Lewis was rushed off to hospital.
Half time....
The gaffa realised starting a 4-3-3 on a pitch this size was a mistake and changed it 4-2-2, with Adam Walker coming on for Robert and Alex Burridge for his brother Lewis.
Second Half....
Start of the second half and we looked alot more balanced. Liam and Craig working their socks of in midfield whilst Wayne and Alex were trying to support Jubz and Norm at every opportunity.Eventually it paid of when Wayne picked out a great run by Jubz who then worked his way into the box to force an own goal. 3-2
As the game started to fizzle out, Beefy and Malcolm's never say die defending was keeping them at bay, forcing a great block tackle by Beefy to deny TEFA loanee Darren 'Dazza' McArthur a scoring opportunity. Lee Wills then redeemed his self with a worldy diving save. However eventually the constant pressure was too much and they forced a way through to score and make it 4-2.
With Jubz working hard and Norm chasing everything down like the Terminator, it was only a matter of time that it would pay off, and eventually it did. Norm winning the ball back and laying it off to Craig who then curled in a screamer top corner to make the score a bit more justifiable ...... take a bow son!!
Full time....
Overall I think it was a great first game. It's the first time TEFA FC have played an 11 aside match and I think everyone can walk away happy with their performance. Plenty of positives to take out of it and a few negatives we need to rectify.
On behlaf of TEFA FC we wish Lewis Burridge a speedy recovery and hope to see him soon.
