London Titans 2 Hotscots FC 4 – GFSN National League
It was a hugely disappointing result yesterday for the Titans, two excellent goals by Mikey and Sean gave us some hope late in the game but three dreadful defensive errors ultimately proved too much. Several players were making their Titans GFSN League debut, Dave Simpson in goal James Birch and David East in defence, Scott Rossini-Smyth and Mikey Taylor in midfield and Thomas Schuerch up front, Steve de Souza Wilson, Sean Leahy and Pete Trueman were amongst the substitutes. The rest of the team was Vee Rache, Paul Wheeler Serge Rache, Chris Felton and Matt Baker in the starting 11 and Ed Connell, Terry Connolly and Talal Armanazi making up the rest of the substitutes.
Not much happened in the first 30 minutes, both teams probing each other but Hotscots looking the more balanced team. Titans couldn’t get going and were struggling to get a grip of the midfield and were losing the ball to easily. Titans first shot was after 30 minutes, Paul Wheeler brought the ball out of defence, he passes to Matt Baker on the edge of the box, Matt turns and shoots but straight at the keeper. It’s Hotscots turn to threaten and they should have scored when the ball fell to the feet of a forward just yards from goal but his weak effort was comfortably saved by Dave Simpson, then a speedy break catches ot the Titans defence but the chance is wasted as the forward shoots horribly wide. This should have served as a warning to the Titans but it wasn’t heeded and after 38 minutes the Hotscots were ahead. An excellent run down the left by a Hotscots player takes him past James Birch and to the goal line, he cuts the ball back into the area, Paul Wheeler makes a hash of his clearance and the ball falls to the no. 28 who shoots home from 12 yards. Titans, shaken by this, try to get back on terms before the break, they gain a couple of corners but don’t really worry the Hotscots custodian. Half Time London Titans 0 Hotscots 1
Manager Ed Connell made changes at half time, he brings on Steve de Souza Wilson and Sean Leahy for Paul Wheeler and Scott Rossini Smyth but even before they have a chance to break sweat Hotscots are two up. From deep in their own half the Hotscots no. 7 gets the ball and races down field, beats a couple of Titans before going into the area, under pressure passes the ball, Vee Rache somehow manages to step on the ball and allows the Hotscots no. 28 the easiest of chances to score. Not the start to the half the Titans wanted. It’s not going well for the new look Titans but have a chance after 51 minutes when Thomas Schuerch is fouled halfway in the Hotscots half, Mikey Taylor takes a dangerous free kick into the area but with a couple of Titans poised to head the ball it’s cleared for a corner. Three minutes later more disaster for Vee Rache and the Titans when Hotscots score their third. A long ball out of defence should have been easily cleared by Vee but instead his attempted clearance is sliced into the Titans penalty area, the Hotscots no. 27 challenges with Dave Simpson for the ball, he nips the ball past the advancing keeper and towards the goal, Steven de Souza Wilson gets back to clear off the line but only proceeds to help the ball into the net.
Ed Connell responds to this by bringing himself and Terry Connolly on replacing James Birch and Serge Rache. This has the desired effect as after 61 minutes Titans get a goal back, a free kick to Titans in their own half is taken and finds Mikey Taylor, he takes the ball forward and unleashes a superb shot that dips over the keeper and just under the bar to find the net. Titans were still celebrating that goal when yet another Vee Rache error lets in Hotscots to restore their three goal advantage literally 60 seconds after Titans had scored, Vee misses his attempted clearance and the ball falls to the Hotscots forward who has the easiest of chances to score Hotscots fourth. Titans respond well to this set back by scoring again. A good ball out to the left finds Thomas Schuerch, he dribbles past a defender and crosses in to Sean Leahy, he controls the ball, turns and shoots home off the post. Titans continue to press for further goals but cannot penetrate a well organised Hotscots team, in fact it’s Hotscots who have the best chance near the end of the match when they get a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, luckily for the Titans the kick sails high and wide. The match ends with a deserved first victory in the GFSN for the Hotscots. Final Score London Titans 2 Hotscots FC 4
It was a disappointing performance by the Titans especially some of the defensive work. The midfield didn’t get the ball enough and therefore the forwards were starved of service, the speed of Thomas Schuerch out on the wing was not utilised enough. It was a new Titans side and it might take a few matches for manager Ed Connell to arrive at his best formation and for the side to gel, but there is no doubt these are good players and I’m sure results will improve as the season progresses.
Pictures from the match can be found here
Andy Turner