Match report: Moormead Cosmos vs Teddington Old Boys
A beautiful late summers morning, a persistent swarm of miniature moths and several parents making their debuts for our opponents Teddington, greeted the MM players and spectators for our first match of the season.
Teddington were taking the fixture very seriously, calling back all their players who had failed to go through clearing. They lined up with an average of at least a stone and a foot advantage, on each MM player.
Not to be perturbed Clough and Taylor started with a new 3 2 3 formation. Unfortunately we were slow out of the blocks and only some excellent lines-manning from MM’s tenth man, kept the score nil nil during the first five minute onslaught of our goal. Then it happened. A quick counter attack, with a weighted pass from Kiran to Gabriel who sprinted down the wing, cut in and placed a beautiful shot into the corner only to see a fine finger tipped save deny a certain goal. It was all MM needed. From that moment confidence rose. Training has clearly worked. Kyle’s distribution was swift, long and effective. Kiran was reading the game brilliantly, intercepting numerous passes and his distribution to Freddie, Tom and Gabriel was telling. At the back James was a rock (with a large lighthouse on it, winning every ball in the air) in the centre, pushing forward at every opportunity and Max was growing in confidence with every touch and dominating the left. MM were now moving the ball at speed. Tom was holding the ball up, turning and moving. Freddie was working tirelessly breaking up play and distributing short passes at all angles. Tackles were flying in from all the MM players much to the disdain of their elderly opponents who resorted to complaining to the young ref. Balls were Flying into the centre from both Gabriel and Jamie on the wings with both wingers fancying their chances against their less mobile and aged opponents. It was no surprise when MM took the lead. Olly getting more and more of the ball turned two players and played the ball into Tom in the box. He coolly stroked the ball home, walking away incredibly slowly to savour ever second of a great move.
MM were in control and unlucky not the extend their lead. But Teddington came back and grabbed an equaliser before scoring a beautifully taken free kick just after half time. This was quickly 3.1 and the touchlines were beginning to get anxious. Lesser teams might have capitulated, but Clough and Taylor have installed steel through the team. MM were not beaten and kept fighting. Kyle stopped the score moving to 4.1, instinctively tipping a blistering shot onto the crossbar. We went straight down the other end, won a corner and a mass scramble ensued in the Teddy goal mouth. Joe, just on the pitch, charged through the mass and powered the ball into the net. MM were now on fire. Adam was causing all sorts of problems on the wing and Tye, playing through the centre, was stretching the defence with his speed. The game proceeded at pace. Now at 2.3 down, Taylor was on one knee, praying to his god. His prayers were swiftly answered with Kyle sending a punt over the half way line to Jamie whose delightful flick split the defence and fell into the path of Tye, moving at close to light speed, towards the edge of the box. He did not break stride and put his laces, foot, boot and whatever else he had with him, through the ball, almost breaking the net. The MM crowd and management went ballistic. Bonetti in goal for Teddington did not even see it, which was lucky as had he put a hand in front of the ball he would have lost it. The game was going end to end with both teams wanting the win. MM almost snatched it at the death with Kiran trying an audacious shot from his own half which saw Bonetti, wheel over and just manage to push the ball round his post. 3.3 was a fair result, but in hindsight either side could have won by five, such were their desires to attack. MM look a completely different team from last year, confidence on the ball is sky high, ability and strength has improved, new players have seamlessly moved in and the desire to pass evident across the pitch.
Onwards to next weeks match away fixture Cosmos
