UNDER 15 MATCH REPORT: Toton Tigers 4 - 2 LEFC

It was a dissapointing trip to Nottingham because not much changed from the previous meeting 2 weeks earlier. Two very evenly matched teams slugged it out and on the day, once again the better team won. The main difference being that when Toton walked off the pitch 2-1 down at half time they walked back onto it with a higher desire to win the match. In truth Toton were the better team for most of the first half apart from 10 minutes before the interval where we dominated, played some good football and scored 2 fine goals. The first, from and low driven corner (or a poor miss hit high one) which found its way through to the mercurial Jabed who stroked it home at the near post for his 2nd Emmanuel career goal. That made it 1-1. The 2nd goal which saw us take the lead was even better when some good work down the right ending with Noddy chipping the ball onto Berbajohns big heeed. 2-1. Much better. Sadly that's were the quality ended.

The second half saw the team fragment and things just got too slow. 3 Toton goals later and we're nursing out 2nd defeat of the season. This in itself is not concerning. We have bags of ability in the squad and we WILL without doubt win more matches than we lose this season. Failure to do so would be a catastrophic underachievement from a talented team. The performances of Rob, Jabed, Dan and Patryk (shut it) were fantastic and Mike can always be relied upon to put a shift in. Isaac was a little out of position on the left and hands up from me, it was a tactical gaff. Luke continues to look dangerous in certain situations but might benefit from a bungee cord around his waist which is anchored at the half way line. Sam also played well and used the ball well in midfield.

The most important lesson to note from our 2 games against Toton is that each year this league gets tougher. The teams improve, they get bigger and faster and harder to beat. Last season we played Toton in the cup and beat them 6-3, won 5-4 in the league at home and lost narrowly 2-1 away. So last season we had the edge. This season they have had the measure of us on both days so far, with a third yet to come. Let's make sure that day belongs to us. But aside from Toton we must remember that to do anything in the league we MUST compete physically. We cannot be bullied off the ball, be cowards in the tackle or easy to beat in any situation. The ease at which some of the Toton players glided past some very soft challenges was embarrassing. It really will be a case of GO HARD OR GO HOME. Make sure you're tough enough and prepared to get stuck in, there is no hiding place on the pitch.

Also, sorry for swearing. I think football gives me tourettes.

I've got 3 years left here in Loughborough, let's take this team as a far as we can together before then!

Goals: Jabed, Berbajohn

Man of the Match: Jabed


Back Row: Carter, Timson (Capt), Callan, Richardson, Tourki, Al Zubayel, Parton, Grainger, Gee.
Front: Trebski, Paul, Telfer, Barrow, Rahman, Conneally.