London Titans Football Club

London Titans began their defence of the GFSN league title with a new look squad against Yorkshire Terriers at Hampton yesterday (Sunday 16th Sept), and began their campaign with a 3-0 victory.

With most of the previous title winning squad now playing in the Sportsman Sunday League, this season’s GFSN season will present new challenges for a new group of players.

From the starting XI on Sunday it’s fair to say that only two players may have started a GFSN game the previous season, and neither of them were playing in a position they would have been accustomed to the previous year.

Titans set out to keep things tight in the first 20 minutes and to try and utilise the space that Hampton’s ground afforded them. Apart from an early slip which allowed Yorkshire a chance at goal, the first 20 minutes went according to plan.

Veteran Chris Maughan turned back the years and was instrumental in keeping the ball, and also played a number of defence splitting passes.

After 20 minutes Titans found themselves 1-0 up, Tom Hooper latched on to a through ball and lashed the ball into the bottom corner with great conviction.

Half way through the second half Jardine was introduced to the team to give a bit of ‘Scottish bite’ in the middle of the park. Apart from one other ‘half’ chance, which was saved by Luka in goal, Titans remained relatively comfortable for the rest of the half.

The second half began with a couple of changes. Rolfe and Alfie – both new to the GFSN set up – were on in place of King and Wheeler.

Yorkshire began well and were appealing for a penalty within 5 minutes, despite their protests the referee never looked like he was going to give the spot kick after a challenge from Vee.

It was fair to say that Yorkshire were on top in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but didn’t create enough chances that their pressure deserved. They did manage to muster a few long range shots, none of which ever like beating Luka in goal.

To try and stifle this pressure, two substitutions were made; on came Connell for Miller at right back and Felton replaced Connolly in the middle.

Shortly after this change Yorkshire were afforded their best chance of the game, the ball was crossed and their striker was faced with a one on one situation with Luka which he sliced wide. If the score had gone 1-1 at this point, it could have been a very different game.

As it was Titans survived and pretty soon afterwards effectively sealed the win.

Alfie held the ball up well against a defender who was nearly twice his size, slotted it through to Hooper who at the second attempt poked the ball home.

This proved to be the last action from Alfie as he was replaced by King, whilst Wheeler came on at centre back for Vee.

After another turned down penalty appeal, this time for the Titans after Ollie appeared to be tripped, the team went on to score an outstanding goal.

Started by Connell at the back, Ollie and Jardine played a sweeping one two, covering half the pitch which resulted in Jardine steering it home from 10 yards.

All in all, it was a successful day for the Titans and a great start to the season. We are now looking forward to our tricky looking fixture in Edinburgh in early October.