TIBS 4 - New Marske 2
The first game of the new season arrived and the conditions were glorious as we went to TIBS for our first game of the season. TIBS were an unknown quantity to us, having being relegated from the third division last season.
It became apparent very early on that the TIBS front line were very quick. We we were caught out early on holding a high defensive line, as the ball was pumped forward over the top for a TIBS attacker to break through and luckily for us, flash his shot well wide of the goal.
We pushed on and forced TIBS back but the combined efforts of Danny and Frank were unable to fashion a goal scoring chance. Up front and in midfield TIBS were proving to be a strong physical side and we were going to have to battle hard to match them.
A midfield tussle
Johnny managed a pop at goal only to be flagged offside. This was followed up when a good shot from Andy was firmly held by the opposition keeper. TIBS pressed us back once again leading to a couple of corners, which we managed to clear without any real danger.The game had been evenly contested when on 12 minutes Frank got free and shot towards goal. The keeper could only parry the ball out and Ryan following in put the ball into the net to make the score 1-0 to New Marske.
New Marske only held the lead for one minute as TIBS mounted a quick attack down the left wing. The referee missed a definite foul on Bash, and as TIBS played on, the cross came in and Jacks clearance was deflected and fell to an unmarked TIBS player in the box. He didn't waste his chance and drew the game level at 1-1. The game was then stopped for 2-3 minutes as Bash received treatment in the move that led to the goal. Luckily for him he was able to play on.
From the kick off we applied pressure, as Frank and the front lads were doing pretty well, but we were having to watch out for the quick breaks from TIBS at the other end. TIBS were just about edging it in midfield at this point, but the game could equally still go either way. The New Marske defence seemed to be pushing too far forward as another long ball split us open. Before Joe could get close enough to get a tackle in, the TIBS player once again shot wide of the goal.
Does anybody want the ball?
Although TIBS were looking powerful and quick up front and in midfield, their defence weren't looking quite as confident and the running of Frank and Ryan seemed to be worrying them. A foul on Ryan allowed a quick free kick to be taken by Danny, but the ball was headed clear by the TIBS defence. Down the other end, another long ball by TIBS saw the attacker cut inside and strike his shot, which just cleared Dean's bar.
TIBS won a corner on 25 minutes, with the ball eventually being cleared up to Ryan, whose through ball picked out Frank. Frank drove at the TIBS defence and although it looked as if he has missed his chance, he stayed calm enough to put the ball into the net. 2-1 to New Marske. It was still looking like one of those games that could go either way, and so we really needed to try and get another goal hoping that TIBS would collapse. Johnny came very close when his shot from the left flew what looked like inches over the bar with the keeper stranded.
TIBS weren't giving up so easily though and from a throw in, a TIBS attacker held off Jack, and managed to turn and hit a shot. The ball appeared to be going in the far post when Dean launched himself to deflect the ball for a corner. TIBS exerted mounting pressure but the defence held firm and got the ball clear. We looked as if Frank was going to get away until a TIBS defender came in with a crunching challenge. The ball fell to Jack who played a good ball forward, but the TIBS defence managed to snuff out the move.
Who was supposed to be picking this lad up on the corner?
Overall in the first half, our defence coped pretty well with the pacy TIBS front line with Joe especially commanding in the air. Unfortunately the second half didn't pan out the same way.
Half-time: TIBS 1 New Marske 2
Straight from the kick off Frank thought he had got into another goal scoring opportunity, the referee once again deemed he had run into an off side position. TIBS first attack of the second half, saw Jack get his body between the attacker and the ball as he put the managed to put the ball into touch for a throw in.
It was TIBS turn to apply the pressure with a couple of quick corners, but we managed to clear the ball and get the momentum going back the other way. However, Joe, attempting to play a ball through from defence, saw it intercepted, and TIBS broke forward. Jack made contact to slow the attack up, but TIBS once again earned a couple of corners, that came to nothing.
After the period of TIBS pressure, it was our turn to push TIBS back. From a corner the ball fell to Greg who blazed his shot way over the bar (and over the fence). Things were looking up though, as we pushed for the goal that would hopefully knock the stuffing out of TIBS. Things didn't go according to plan as TIBS equalized after 47 minutes. The ball was bouncing around our box when Joe mishit his attempted clearence to a TIBS player. The shot in was saved well by Dean, but fell kindly to another TIBS player who put the ball in the net.
I'm glad that I'm not that ball!
A minute or so later TIBS had worked another corner. As the ball came in, a TIBS player found himself with a free header as he made no mistake and powered it into the net. TIBS attacked down the right and put the ball into our box, where our defence was looking increasingly nervous, as they tried to clear the ball. Three or four poor attempts to clear finally ended with a successful clearance.
TIBS were finding acres of space in midfield and were able to walk through us at will, with terribly half hearted attempts to stop them from midfield and defence. Johnny was replaced by Hubby, as he was struggling with the knock he received a few minutes earlier. A long ball over the top found Frank chasing the ball down as it went into the keepers arms. It was a temporary respite as TIBS notched there fourth goal. Jack in attempting to clear the ball, only managed to hit their lone attacker, and the ball fell nicely for him to round Dean and slot the ball home.
We were looking a shadow of the team from the first half as TIBS looked to overrun us. They were finding plenty of space and time on the ball as we struggled to even get a challenge in. A free kick just inside the TIBS half was pumped forward, only to be cleared without a New Marske player even looking to get on the end of it. After that, Frank did once again chase after a ball, only to see it once again go through to the keeper.
The combined TIBS/New Marske formation dancing team performing the latest move
Our second substitution was made when Ben Leaper came on to replace Jack. TIBS continued pushing forward and we still struggled to hold them. During the second half, as usual, we tried to play the ball far too often through the middle, however the ball did find it's way to Andy wide, who seemed to be caught in two minds whether to cross or shoot and in the end didn't really do either. David pushed on and put a high cross in, that the defender missed. Before anybody could get on the end of it, the keeper once again claimed it. A foul on Ryan saw us take a quick free kick, but we only ended up with a throw in for our efforts.
In the last meaningful attack of the game, a TIBS player broke away on the right and beat David. Greg was covering him, and as the ball was played forward, he clattered the attacker for a free kick to TIBS. The final whistle blew shortly after, to bring to an end what was ultimately a very dissapointing performance from us. Although TIBS were strong and quick, we can (and will) play far far better than that.
Final Score: TIBS 4 - New Marske 2
MOTM:- : Dean Lownsbrough
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Come on lads, how can you see to win the ball with your eyes closed?