Tooting & Mitcham Vale Girls F.C.
SPONSORED BY HARTCROWN LIMITED
MATCH REPORT
SURREY COUNTY GIRLS ' LEAGUE
LEAGUE CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
 
Sunday 19th October 2003
 
FRIMLEY TOWN INDIGOS                2 v 1                TOOTING & MITCHAM
Half Time 1 v 0
 
Manager
Dave Marlow
Assistant Manager
Stuart Harris
Coach
Michael Morgan
Referee
Michelle Hattley - Good
Linesmen
John Kendall
John Chadwick (Frimley)
Pitch
Good
Weather
Sunny, Windy
Fair Play
Brilliant
 
Tooting & Mitcham Team Line Up
Goals (Minute)
Stephanie Bailey
Sponsored By
Mr J L Sparkes
 
Laura Crickmer
Sponsored By
Environmental Validation Solutions Ltd
 
Christianne Fernee
Sponsored By
Dakota Drawing Office Services
 
Katie Foster
Sponsored By
Liz & Paul Claydon
 
Louise Harris
Sponsored By
Newpoint Plumbing Services
 
Emma Kendall
Sponsored By
Landsoft Limited
49
Jessica Line
Sponsored By
Mr S G & Mrs M L Segurola
 
Emma Marlow
Sponsored By
Hyson Plant Limited
 
Emma Pleece
Sponsored By
Tattenham Childminders
 
Sam Pope
Sponsored By
A J Wharmby
 
April Riley
Sponsored By
Mr J Edkins
 
Stephanie Watson
Sponsored By
Kelly Landscapes
 
 
Thanks to John Kendall for offering his services as a linesman today.
 
Tooting travelled to Frimley today, always tough opposition, for the League Cup Preliminary Round, the same round they were knocked out of last season with a late goal from Colne Valley in extra time.  History was to almost repeat itself this season with a late goal from Frimley in normal time.
 
Frimley kicked off and Tooting were shown a sign of things to come when the Frimley striker was judged offside by the alertness of the linesman on the far side as she raced to goal in the first minutes.  After 13 minutes a long, high ball carried by the wind over the Tooting defence fell perfectly for the Frimley striker to score a good but fortunate goal.  At the other end Katie's antagonisingly close shot across goal on 23 minutes was followed again a few minutes later after a great pass from Jessica to Katie for another shot across the face of the Frimley goal.  Back at the other end a great diving save from Emma kept the score at 1-0 at half time.  The view of the supporters on the touch line was that Tooting had done well to weather the storm in the first half against a strong wind, slightly uphill pitch and very determined opposition, but they were unlucky to be a goal down.  The defence did very well in this half and a number of supporters commented at half time on Christianne's gutsy, committed performance at right back.  The supporters were confident that with the wind at their backs and a more committed approach generally, this Cup tie was there to be taken.
 
The second half started with the expected Tooting onslaught on the Frimley goal.  Nine minutes into this half, after a great run down the left side, a good cross from April found Emma Kendall to score Tooting's deserved equaliser.  But Frimley fought back hard to turn around this early Tooting pressure and Tooting seemed to lack enthusiasm in midfield.  The through balls and over the top lobs normally providing a stream of goals for the strikers were being carried by the strong wind away from the chasing front runners either to the outcoming Frimley keeper or out on the wings across the line for a goal kick, so the wind advantage didn't work in our favour as it had for Frimley in the first half.  Another annoying problem was the number of Tooting players turning their backs in challenges today.  With respect, most of Frimley's players are of a lesser calibre than Tooting's with regard to ball control, but Tooting were allowing the opposition all the time in the world to actually control the ball when, if they had faced the right way in the first place they would have gained possession with their eyes closed - a job for Michael the Coach there!  Then, disaster!  A break from Frimley 3 minutes from time left Emma M superbly saving the shot only for the rebound to go straight back to the striker to score Frimley's winner. 
 
When Tooting & Frimley played the opening League game of the season it was a 12 goal thriller.  Both defences have tightened up considerably in the past few weeks but Frimley could have had 3 more if Emma M had not been in such fine form today, but Tooting had their chances as well.  On the day this time Frimley had the better finishing.
 
Two League Cups, one Surrey County Cup Final (also against Frimley) and all 3 points at Colne last week have been lost to late goals.  Something Dave & Stuart will have to find an answer to as Tooting have two tough games in the next 2 weeks against Corinthian Casuals and Frimley again.  Maximum points in these games would see Tooting nicely on top for the inter-divisional games which Tooting should win comfortably (all 7 of them).  However, for these 2 important games Tooting will have one arm tied behind their backs as the subs on the bench will be very thin on the ground - or to be more precise, non-existent.  Hopefully the 11 players that are available will, as Dave will say in his comment, "get back to the Crawley Wasps type performances"  to keep their hold on the top of the League.
 
The opposition always expect a tough game from a talented Tooting team and when they, as Stuart says, "have a lack-lustre start" it just gives the opposition more confidence and then Tooting face an uphill struggle.  So, let's give them what they are expecting straight from the kick-off.
 
Manager's Comment
 
I'm disappointed at losing after a more committed team performance this week.  There is still a problem with communication.  We must bring our excellent training session approach to match days and then we will be back to the Crawley Wasps type performances.
 
Assistant Manager's Comment
 
Again a lack-lustre performance in the first half.  The second half was a bit more committed but we just didn’t finish our chances this week.
Match Report by Mick Crickmer