Titans 2 – 4 Falcons – GFSN League
This was one of the best football matches I had seen in a long time. GFSN Champions, Falcons, were totally outplayed for an hour and were lucky not to be more than 2-0 down, but Falcons are League Champions and fought back superbly to take the honours in this keenly fought derby.
On a glorious autumn afternoon in Richmond Titans started with three ex Falcons in the side, Dave Simpson in goal, James Birch in defence and Thomas Schuerch up front. It was a nervous opening 15 minutes as both sides probed each other, a smart save by Dave from a Falcon effort being the only notable action during this period but as the half progressed Titans started to get a grip on the match and dominated the remainder of the half with the Falcons keeper being kept very busy. After 18 minutes Sean flicks the ball on to Matt, he takes if forward and unleashes a wicked, swirving shot that the keeper does well to save down to his left. Serge then wins the ball in midfield, he passes to Matt who feeds Thomas out on the left, he passes to Mikey who in turn releases James down the right, James whips in a cross for Sean to meet but his excellent effort is saved at full length by the keeper at the expense of a corner. The best effort of the half comes five minutes from the break when Terry, a full 30 yards out, unleashes a vicious, dipping volley that is dipping over the keeper and just under the bar but somehow the keeper manages to get his fingers to the ball, tip it onto the bar and away for a corner, a truly stunning shot with an equally stunning save. Then right on half time Thomas, who’s been superb throughout the half, sends in the perfect cross to Sean who with just the keeper to beat somehow sends his shot just wide, was it going to be one of those days.
Half Time Titans 0-0 Falcons.
Ed makes a half time substitution bring on for his GFSN debut, Peter Knight in place of Serge. Titans continue where they left off in the first half and very soon Mikey’s picking up a poor clearance, creates a shooting chance but places his shot high and wide. Falcons then waste a great opportunity to take a surprise lead when the ball is worked into the Titans area, the Falcons striker with just Dave Simpson to beat shoots weakly straight at him. This was to prove costly as in the 51st minute Titans take a deserved lead. A long clearance out of defence is picked up by Thomas out on the left, he takes the ball past a couple of defenders and into a shooting position, he shoots, the keeper gets a hand to the ball but cannot stop it entering the net, 1-0. Titans are rampant now and Peter sets up Terry to shoot but his efforet goes agonisingly wide of the upright. It’s no surprise when Titans extend their lead after 62 minutes, Talal (who’s been excellent in the centre of the defence) collects a Falcons pass, launches the ball forward, it’s collected by Sean who sets himself and chips the ball over the keeper and into the net, 2-0
Titans are in dreamland now but the Falcons aren’t GFSN champions for nothing and they remind the Titans of this by hitting back almost immediately. A couple of substitutions are made including a six foot plus centre forward and with the Titans still celebrating their second goal they break down the right, a good cross into the area is met by the substitute forward who heads home, 2-1. The unusually hot weather was beginning to takes it’s toll on the Titans, the Falcons were starting to dominate the midfield and the defence (superb so far) started to make mistakes. It was a mistake that led to the Falcons equaliser after 75 minutes, the defence hesitated and this allowed Falcons to break forward, ex Titan Tony Kerr gets the ball on the edge, takes it forward and scores confidently, 2-2. I’ve been watching football for many years now and experience tells me that in a situation like this the team that have come back to level after being behind quite often go on to win, and unfortunately for the Titans this is what happened. After 81 minutes the ball is played down the right, the forward whipps in a good cross which is turned past Dave Simpson by his defender for an embarrasing own goal. Titans have the chance to level matters a few minutes later when Terry is fouled 25 yards from the goal, Matt steps up to take the kick but shoots just past the post. Falcons wrap the match up in time added on when they break quickly and score their fourth.
Final Score : London Titans 2 - London Falcons 4
This was such a commanding performance by the Titans for 60 minutes, certainly the best I had seen, so it was very disappointing to lose the match. There were good performance all round the pitch so plenty for Manager Ed Connell to ponder with when he considers his game plan for the next match.
Pictures from the match are now available in the gallery.
Andy Turner