Sidmouth & Ottery D 1 - 6 Taunton CS

The day began an hour before the scheduled start time as skipper Ali's over cautious time keeping once again led to a long wait pitch side. Well some stayed pitch side, the more senior members of the squad decided that an hour was just too long to wait for a pint of the dark stuff and retired to the pub for a pre-game drink.

When eventually we got round to the match TCS were all pleased to see a familiar face on the umpiring team, our good friend from the controversial match away at Teign earlier in the season. Unfortunately, he remembered us also...

The match began at a frenetic pace with TCS going close on a number of occasions exposing the weaknesses in the Sidmouth/Ottery defence. With more close chances the inevitable goal came midway through the first half as Andy Carter slipped a through ball to Mark Sawyer who coolly finished to make it 1-0. Shortly after Ben Witt was given the ball at an impossible angle and proceeded to smash it between the keeper and his near post into the roof of the net as all other occupants of the D scattered.

Time for one more goal before half time as Ben Witt received the ball at the attacking 23 and dribbled through at least 5 players and the keeper on his way to slotting in his second goal of the match.

Half time and the team talk was outstandingly negative from stand in captain Ben Caile who highlighted how simply awful TCS had played in securing their 3-0 lead. With a change of formation and fresh ideas the second half began at a slow tempo.

A questionable TCS foot on the half way line broke down an increasingly dangerous attack from Sidmouth/Ottery and the break resulted in a goal from Andy Carter who played a cool 1-2 with the keeper and tapped into the bottom corner of the goal kindly assisted by Ben Witt. A second for Carter followed soon after as the ball broke in the D and he smashed it into the far corner of the goal.

A sixth goal seemed to have been scored when an expert through ball found Toron Everett a few yards out and he calmly tapped home. However the umpire decided he saw Toron using the wrong side of his new stick and chalked it off. Ever the tax man Toron clearly deciding that he had paid for all of the stick and must be entitled to use it all.

Another goal did follow after a short corner routine finished off by Ben Witt to secure another hat-trick this season. The game then took a turn as TCS sat and admired the high score line allowing Sidmouth/Ottery to lift home a consolation past a sprawling Mike Whitman in the TCS goal.

It took longer than most expected but the wrath of the umpire was finally felt as he demanded a Sidmouth/Ottery short corner be re-taken no less than six times due to the eagerness of 'bad boy' Jim Smith to charge down the set piece as he repeatedly broke too early.

I never comment on referees, and I'm not gonna break the habit of a lifetime for that prat.
Ron Atkinson (a sentiment echoed by Jim Smith)

Overall a disappointing style of play from TCS but a good result reminding of that old adage 'great teams find a way to win, even when they play badly'. Man of the match went to Jim Smith for another excellent display of midfield work. DOTD and the fetching jacket now reside with Toron Everett whose enthusiasm to complain stayed at 100% during the entire match. Next week sees strugglers Plymouth Uni C visit the fortress of Heathfield.