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Sunday 25th October 2009 (League)
Result: Tarporley 2 v Tythrington 3 (Away)
We lost. Once again. But not for lack of luck - see previous match
reports. This was simply for lack of players. Nine man Tarporley came
close to beating a full strength Tytherington at their own ground. But the
game went to Tytherington
t was a bad tempered match, punctuated with gruesome tackles, some weird
referee decisions (to the advantage of both teams at different times) and
player histrionics. Not Tarporley players I should add. Tytherington were
rattled when for large parts of the game it looked like they may draw or
even lose to a nine man side below them in the league. They finished the
game trying to the run the clock down, wasting time to hang on to a
slender lead.
Every Tarporley player was outstanding. Working hard to fill the wide open
spaces created by the absence of so many of their team mates, they
competed throughout the field against overwhelming firepower. Andy scored
two magnificent goals, both on the break. Sam was relentless and skillful
in midfield. Jack, a rock in defence. But honours belong to the entire
side who never gave up, working in a howling wind throughout a
challenging game against superior numbers.
Sunday 18th October 2009 (League)
Result: Tarporley 1 v Tarvin 5 (Home)
After the almost ludicrously unlucky game last week we were keen to see
Tarpoley find the good fortune we so richly deserve. A deflection into the
net or a ball falling to feet in front of goal. Something, anything to
reassure the team that we aren't carrying an albatross into each match.
But this wasn't to be that game. Tarporley managers, supporters, the ref
and even Tarvin's coach were left wondering just how we lost having
dominated for so much of the game. There were the usual shots hitting the
crossbar and those narrowly going wide. This time though, not only did we
miss our chances up front, we leaked goals at the back in a manner it's
hard to understand.
From the outset the game was end to end. Open, attacking football that
thrilled the spectators but exhausted the team. Sam and Ben linked up well
in midfield but struggled to find the penetrating pass for the strikers.
We were at our most dangerous from the wings but failed to spread the ball
to take advantage. Jack and Alex played with awareness and skill but found
themselves out-sprinted by lightning fast attackers. Perhaps we held the
defensive line too high allowing their pace both on and off the ball too
much opportunity.
Andy and Greg worked hard in attack but again and again were crowded off
the ball by weight of numbers. Much of the game was played in their half
and when they scored it was almost always on the break. Perhaps this is
the lesson from this match. A need for greater caution at the back whilst
using the wings to penetrate stubborn defence.
It was though a hugely entertaining game. One we should have comfortably
won, and an opportunity to learn for future matches. Amazingly Tarvin
scored five times whilst we, only once. On that basis they won and we live
to fight another day.
Sunday 11th October 2009 (League)
Result: Tarporley 2 v Barnton 3 (Away)
Someone
once said – lady luck is a cruel mistress. In football, that depends on
which side she is playing and today she turned up wearing a black and
white shirt and played for Barnton in central defence but three times
popping up in front of our goal to nod the ball home. Throughout the match
we heard her rattling laughter from the touchline and by the end even the
Barnton die hard fans were embarrassed by this twelfth player on their
team.
The
stats tell the story: - Possession
– c 65% Tarporley, Territory
– c 70% in Barnton’s half, Tarporley hit the Barnton cross bar three
times and contrived to miss a completely open goal twice. Tarporley one on
one with the keeper without scoring or even shooting – three times
We
outplayed Barnton in every area of the pitch. To say we should have won
completely understates the position, but the team left the field smiling
in-spite of the score line and cold rain.
The
Barnton goals came from deflections, awkward bobbles and momentary lapses
in the concentration of our defence. Both Tarporley goals were
emphatic, finessed looping shots over the keeper, high into the net. The
first by Andy through the middle. The second by Johnnie driving in from
the right wing.. No amount of bad luck could have kept them out.
Iarporley
were good but could have been better. Spreading the ball to the wings
earlier would have given us a more incisive edge. Instead the mid field
was congested and again and again we kicked up field speculatively.
Keeping the ball on the deck and in our possession would have hurt them
more.
But
these are the words of a pedant. Tarporley played well. Jack standing out
in defence. Sam in midfield and Andy in attack. We should have won, but
perhaps next time she’ll be playing in the blue strip.
Sunday 4th October 2009 (Cup)
Result: Tarporley v Maccledfield Boys Away
Ask
yourself – how would you expect a ten man side to fair against a full
squad of players in the league above who have in the last seasons reached
the cup semi finals.
It
was a tough game in every part of the pitch. But with five minutes to go
before half time the score was 0-0 and Macclesfield were rattled. Just as
the optimism was building we backed away from a loose ball on the edge of
the area and they punished us with a fizzing shot that was parried but
scored on the rebound.
Macclesfield
scored four more in the periods before and after half time as we crumbled
to a relentless pressure and flowing play. The opportunities came though
as we regrouped in the last quarter of the game. Finding our rhythm we
penetrated their defence on several occasions and camelose to scoring.
The
game finished though 5-0. A heavy defeat but one that none the less
reflected the courage and tenacity of a side that grows in ability and
depth with every game. Barnton next week with, we anticipate eleven
players and an opportunity to demonstrate the potential Tarporley
Wanderers now have.
Sunday 27th September 2009 (League)
Result:
Tarporley v Frodsham Park
Ben
Unsworth and TB were finally discharged from hospital after our last game.
Bruised and hobbling into the week, they were unable to play today. But we
still had a team with Johnnie Crank joining the squad. Until Tuesday
however, when Will was wrestled to the ground by another team member. It
was, apparently a fine move but left his shoulder broken and Will unable
to play for many weeks.
So
we lined up to play Frodsham with just ten men. And this wasn’t enough.
In an, at times, bad tempered, fractious game Tarporley capitulated to the
superior numbers and some very talented players. Ten nil. Which sounds
like a bad game for the home side. But the truth is, it was a poor
performance and one which we are more than capable of improving in future
weeks.
Tarporley
came close on several occasions, but lacked the numbers and depth to make
them count. Looking ahead, there are signs of hope for future weeks when
we have a full team and line up against weaker opposition, but until then
we can only learn the harsh lesson from a well organised and aggressive
team.
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