In an exhilarating cup encounter at Four Ashes on 26 January 2025, Totteridge FC Yellows delivered a commanding performance, overwhelming their rivals, Totteridge FC Greens, with a resounding 8-2 victory. The match kicked off at 9:30 am, setting the stage for a thrilling display of attacking football.
Totteridge FC Yellows lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive base. Joshan Nijjar took his place in goal, shielded by a back three comprising Oleg Krivosic at central defence, flanked by Veera Manivannan on the right and Muhammad Hussain on the left. The midfield quartet featured Kathirsan Losuthan and Sulaiman Ali on the wings, with Sam Anderson and Noah Brereton operating centrally. Up front, Logan Paulse led the line as the lone striker, supported by the attacking midfield duo of Tatenda Makoni and Muhammad Ali Qarni.
The substitutes for the day included Leo Adamiec, Rory Fairless, Nico Cox, Chaise Duff, and Ojas Pawar, providing depth and tactical flexibility for the Yellows as the match progressed.
The scoring opened early in the seventh minute when Veera Manivannan found the back of the net with a precise right-footed shot from inside the box, giving the Yellows a dream start. Just seven minutes later, Muhammad Ali Qarni doubled the lead, converting a header from a Noah Brereton cross, showcasing the Yellows' attacking prowess.
In a flurry of substitutions at the 15-minute mark, Tatenda Makoni, Muhammad Ali Qarni, and Sam Anderson made way for Leo Adamiec, Rory Fairless, and Nico Cox, while Chaise Duff replaced Veera Manivannan. The fresh legs injected more energy into the Yellows' play.
Logan Paulse added to the tally in the 23rd minute with a stunning long-range strike, leaving the Greens' goalkeeper with little chance. Noah Brereton followed suit just four minutes later, scoring from inside the box to extend the lead to four goals.
As the first half approached its conclusion, Ojas Pawar replaced Noah Brereton in the 34th minute. The substitutions continued as Tatenda Makoni returned to the pitch, taking the place of Logan Paulse, while Muhammad Ali Qarni came on for Sulaiman Ali. Veera Manivannan re-entered the fray, replacing Muhammad Hussain, and Sam Anderson returned in place of Kathirsan Losuthan.
In a remarkable display of attacking football, Noah Brereton scored his second goal of the match in the 35th minute, assisted by Rory Fairless with a well-timed short pass from long range. The first half ended with the Yellows leading 5-0, leaving the Greens with a monumental task ahead.
The second half saw further changes as Noah Brereton returned to the pitch, replacing Oleg Krivosic, while Sulaiman Ali came on for Leo Adamiec. Muhammad Hussain took the place of Chaise Duff, and Logan Paulse re-entered the match, replacing Nico Cox.
In the 55th minute, Tatenda Makoni scored the Yellows' sixth goal, assisted by Leo Adamiec, further solidifying their dominance. However, the Greens managed to find a glimmer of hope when they scored in the 71st minute, breaking the deadlock and reducing the deficit.
The Yellows were not finished yet, as the Greens were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute, allowing them to score again from the spot. Just two minutes later, Sulaiman Ali found the net, assisted by Kathirsan Losuthan, bringing the score to 8-1.
Kathirsan Losuthan capped off a fine performance by scoring the Yellows' final goal in the 81st minute, ensuring a comprehensive victory. The match concluded with a final score of 8-2, a testament to the Yellows' attacking flair and tactical superiority throughout the encounter. Veera Manivannan's standout performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, highlighting his crucial contributions in both defence and attack.
