London Titans Football Club

An early start for the Titans saw a large squad of 17 leave North West London at 8.30ish(!) for their final match of the season against the new GFSN champions, Nottingham Ballbois.

After the warm up, Ed gathered the team in to name the line up which was missing a couple of first team regulars, with Serge slotting in at centre back and captain Felts going in goal in the place of the unavailable OJ.  The first 20 minutes saw Titans playing some slick passing football.  Matty had the beating of the Ballbois left back and on a number of occasions he and manager Ed played some neat one touch passing to break down the right hand side.  On the left hand side, Chris turned back the years and was up and down the left wing supporting Tom on numerous occasions.  In the middle, Mikey made it look like he had all the time in the world on the ball, while Sean and Terry worked tirelessly to support the work-horse Bealy up front.

After about 5 minutes the breakthrough came, Mikey played a pin point defence-splitting pass to set Matty Baker free and on goal, with no hesitation he smashed the ball home to continue his recent run of good form. Titans led 1-0 and were playing some fantastic football. The next 10 minutes saw Titans fade as an attacking force, however Dave ‘The Beast’ East was as assured as ever at marshalling the defence and absorbed anything the opposition could throw at them.  Titans then upped a gear with Chris and Sean both having long range strikes saved by the keeper and Bealy having a shot cleared off the line. Titans pressure was to pay off, as 10 minutes before half time a corner from Matty was expertly converted by Beasty – two goals in two games for the defender.  Titans finished the half strongly and played some of their best football all season. However they were astutely aware that their opposition had a number of first teamers to come on and provide a different test in the second half.  Half Time Nottingham Ball Bois 0 London Titans 2

The second half began with manager Connell deciding to stick with the same line up.  Unfortunately it also began in the worst possible way with Felts being beaten low on his near post to make it 2-1 after 50 minutes.  This spurred on the large vocal support of the Ballbois.  Changes were soon to be made for Titans with Miller on for Ed, Wheeler on for Chris, Sally and Grandad – whose recent good performances had earned a recall to the GFSN side – on for Serge and Beal, and Peter Knight on for Sean, Scotty also replaced Matty Baker.  A new side meant a new direction, the injection of Grandads pace meant Titans had a new dimension to their game.  Mikey, Terry and Pete were now tasked with threading through balls down the channels for Grandad to chase, a ploy which worked well with Tom and Scotty supporting from the left and right respectively.  For all the changes, the team seemed very solid and Ballbois only had a couple of chances – one down the left where a low cross was smothered by Felts, and a second where a one-on-one chance was shot wide under pressure from three Titans defenders.  As we went into injury time Ballbois broke down their left and got to the byline, he cut back in and sent a cross over to the striker who smashed the ball home to the screams of the home fans!  All the Titans fell down feeling dejected but managed to see out the remaining minutes for a 2-2 draw.

A very credible 2-2 draw against a team that has beaten everybody else this season.  Special praise must go to Mikey who was named man of the match by the Nottingham Ballbois, and we pass on our congratulations to our hosts who turned out to be worthy champions.