OTFC III’s 2 – 0 Reigatians III’s

With the Gulf of Molesey finalled drained, TIffs were able to play their first home game of 2025.  With games against Reigate always being a grudge match, for one person in particular, it was important to get a strong side out. 12 brave men headed the call.

It’s hard to define what makes a tactical masterclass.  A change in personnel or a tweak to your formation happens every week; so it needs to be something a bit more dramatic, something that no-one would guess looking at the team sheet.  How about moving an ageing and immobile centre half into central midfield?  Some people will say that Tiffs won despite this waddling liability, but others, rightly, saw it as the genius move that it was.

The first half was one of few chances.  Reigate hit the post with their only real foray into the box and Tiffs made a number of half (maybe ¾) chances.  The front three worked hard, and on another day a lucky bounce or slightly surer touch would have led to a goal, but alas the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

An intense half time team talk saw Tiffs retake the field confident that they were good enough to go out and win the game, and they duly delivered.  Another tightly contested 45 minutes saw neither team able to exert much control and, again, chances were limited.  For 20 minutes or so Reigate had a little more of the ball, but their best chances came from set pieces – their game plan clearly based on grainy footage of Tiff’s last outing against Old Suttonians.  Tiffs defended well before taking the lead with around 15 minutes to play.  A cross from deep was flicked on at the near post and fell nicely to Al Doe who was able to turn and fire the ball home.  For the remaining quarter of an hour Reigate continued to try and capitalise on set pieces without creating any real chances from open play.  A late corner for Tiffs was only half cleared and Oli Lofthouse turned around just in time to spot the ball and header home into the top corner.  All that was left was for Reigate to kick off and immediately hear the final whistle.

An excellent performance by Tiffs, with their once in a blue moon (or is it?) clean sheet creating the platform to edge a very close game.  Post match saw a full complement of 12 players stick around for a drink or two to bask in the glory of the first win of 2025.

POTM: Prash Deshmukh