New Marske 2 TIBS 3
For this game against the team that are in the running to win the league, we took the opportunity to play the game on the pitch we will be using next season for our home games.
The game started off with both teams sounding each other out and it wasn't until the third minute that Greg was called on to make a clearance from inside our box, the first time either side had got into a goal scoring situation.
We were awarded a free kick, near the touch line, level with the 18 yard box, that Ryan crossed into the TIBS area. TIBS had no difficulty in clearing the ball, and were able to complete the clearance when a foul from Danny for a high foot gave TIBS a free kick.
It looks like a great challenge, although I'm not sure where the ball is
A break from us up the right sent Conor away saw him hit a weak first time cross into the box, that TIBS defended by knocking the ball out for a corner. The corner in was excellent as the ball went completely across the box and out the other side for a throw to TIBS. Anybody taking a chance on attacking the back post would have had a simple tap in, but as seems to be usual for us, nobody took the chance on attacking the back post.
Dean was called into action for the first time as a lovely ball through to TIBS's dangerous attacker Sangha, who found himself in space as we backed off him. As he ran through on goal Dean was out quickly to claim the ball. TIBS were starting to get the ball further up the field, and a snap shot from outside the area, didn't trouble Dean as it went well wide of the goal.
A long ball by TIBS looked to be no danger as Andy came in to clear it, but he was blocked off as TIBS got away from him, he recovered enough to get a challenge in and knock the ball out for a corner. From the corner we were in trouble, the ball bounced and half hearted attempts to clear it saw it roll out to a TIBS player on the six yard line, where he hit the ball goalwards. With nobody going to block the shot it came in and Sangha hit it unchallenged high into the net. 0-1 to TIBS after 12 minutes.
Straight from the kick off TIBS won the ball back and Sangha in space hit a strong shot goalward straight at Dean, that he held comfortably. The goal seemed to have put us on the back foot after a good start, as TIBS pushed forward keeping us under more pressure. TIBS were growing in confidence and looking strong as a poor clearance was once more picked up in our half, but once again a poor shot didn't cause Dean any problems.
TIBS opening goal. After the initial shot at goal, this looks a pretty poor effort at blocking the follow up shot that ended up in the net
Although we were giving the ball away far too easily, the midfield and attack were starting to match TIBS physically which was good to see, and necessary if we hoped to get something from the game. On 24 minutes the hard work paid off. A long ball to Frank saw him turn a defender, before knocking the ball past the keeper before slotting the ball inbto the net, to make the score level at 1-1.
We could have gone behind minutes later though as Sangha picked the ball up on the left, before running past Bash into space and hitting his shot onto the bar. Sangha was obviously worrying our defence as we started to stand off him more, which only gave him time to run at us. What we really needed was to be getting closer to him, maybe a man marking job like Steve Baker did for Boro against Liverpool (if anybody remembers that!)
We were awarded a free kick inside our half that Joe hit up to Frank. With one touch he managed to turn the defender before hitting a great volley that crashed onto the bar with the goalkeeper well beaten, a great effort.
Sangha picked the ball up on the left once more, and with Bash about seven yards away, he cut inside and hit another shot, which luckily for us went a couple of inches past the post. We really needed to be getting closer to Sangha, as he was increasing in confidence as the game progressed. We were back on the attack as Conor ran at the TIBS defence, but he held onto the ball too long, before passing the ball, as the move came to nothing.
The reason TIBS are hard to beat. Hard going for our attackers to break through, and this was just heading to the corner
Shortly before half time we got lucky again as Sangha received the ball in acres of space as Andy had gone walk about and found himself completely the wrong side of the attacker. He attacked the goal and an excellent save by Dean saw the ball rebound to Sangha, who looked like he was going to score as the ball headed towards goal. Bash came around to cover though, and managed to clear the ball before it crossed the line.
On the stroke of half time TIBS managed to regain the lead. Bash, attempting to hit the ball up the line saw his clearance blocked, allowing the ball to be played forward to Sangha once more. With Andy marking him closely, he let the ball run past him, and turned away from the ball to run towards goal, this totally bamboozled Andy as he got away. Comfortably evading a couple more challenges he took the ball around Dean before putting the ball into the net. A quality goal, but a terrible one for us to concede especially being so close to half time. 1-2 to TIBS.
Half-time: New Marske 1 - TIBS 2
I Don't know what was said at half time, but it worked, as straight from the kick off Conor got away and lobbed the keeper. He managed to get his finger tips to it, but was unable to stop the ball going into the net, making the game level at 2-2.
The equaliser, another left footed effort. A touch of the Freddie Kanoute's about it as well
It was bright start to the second half, as Frank once more using his pace seemed to get away. Unfortunately he didn't manage to get the ball under control cleanly, allowing time for the TIBS defence to get back and clear the ball.
TIBS were looking a bit rattled as Conor once more got away as a defender failed to clear the ball, he couldn't take the chance this time however. We were matching TIBS in what was turning out to be a great battling performance. It was TIBS who got the next goal though. As David tried to dribble past a TIBS player in the TIBS half, he lost the ball, allowing the ball to be played forward to Sangha on the half way line. There appeared to be no danger as Joe was favourite to get the ball, but for some reason he stumbled and fell over as the ball came to him, leaving Sangha with the ball on the half way line. With Joe on the floor he raced goalward, unchallenged to put the ball past Dean to make the score 2-3 to TIBS, with his hat-trick. We really didn't deserve that, but that's football.
We won a corner, and as the ball came in it looked like Andy was going to get on the end of it for a shot at goal, but he didn't quite get there, allowing TIBS to get the ball clear. The game went into a quiet passage of play before the ball was played into our box. A TIBS player got the ball and managed to turn comfortably away from Joe, before hitting a shot goalward. It looked as if Dean would collect the ball comfortably, but instead he had to tip it round the post for a corner. Dean claimed the corner easily enough as it went straight into his hands.
There was a break in play as Danny needed some treatment after getting clattered by a TIBS player. The game restarted with a nice move by us, when, after winning the ball, the ball was played up to Conor, who set Frank away with a lovely ball. Racing through on goal, the keeper managed to make a smart save to deny Frank.
The harder pitches at this time of the season are adding a bit more bounce
The game was finely balanced and looked like it could go either way, as we were battling really well for the ball. Our defensive line was pushing up and a couple of attempted through balls were just cut out by Joe, with Sangha waiting to pounce on any mistake at the back.
TIBS were mounting more and more pressure, which resulted in us giving the ball away time and time again. It was looking as if TIBS were going to extend their lead as we were unable to make a couple of consecutive passes around our penalty area, allowing TIBS to keep the pressure building. We were looking very ragged and tired as TIBS pushed on. Johnny, who looked as if he had got a knock, signalled to the management that he needed to be replaced, which allowed Matthew to come on in his place.
We were still struggling to hold the ball with some wayward passing, until Frank managed to set Conor away. As he approached the box he was closed down just as he hit his shot. There were loud appeals for hand ball from our supporters and management, but the referee was having none of it though, and waived play on. What a surprise that was!
Our passing was really poor, and we seemed unable to make two consecutive passes. As TIBS harried and pressed, we continued giving them the ball back. Although we were struggling to pass the ball, the game went into a bit of a stalemate for a long period, with neither side able to create a meaningful chance. We did get a shot at goal, as we finally put a passing move together. Conor laid the ball out to Ryan, who put a nice ball to Frank, but the final effort at goal was very weak and was never going to trouble the TIBS keeper.
Silky footwork, as TIBS try and close us down, with some nice backlighting on the hair
We nearly got got when a long ball out of defence was hit up towards Sangha. Joe looked like he was going to cut the ball out, but instead missed it allowing Sanghas to have a shot at goal. Luckily he seemed to scuff his shot, and it went wide of the goal. On the final whistle a cross from Danny to Frank, saw him take one touch, before scuffing his shot goalward straight at the keeper.
This was a much improved performance with the whole team battling for the ball, and especially Greg who had a great game. If we had only done this the previous game i'm sure we would have got the win at Whitby, still it was good to see a response from the lads.
Final Score: New Marske 2 TIBS 3
MOTM:- : Greg Wood