Tiffinians 1-4 Sinjuns Grammarians

In the carousel of elite football, where one season blurs into the next, the over-saturation of opportunities to witness millionaires attempt to out-system one another into a position of dominance over an expensive synthetic pig’s bladder. It almost makes following professional football a bit of a chore, an obligation rather than a joy. Eat up, Chuck.

So, with the Premier League now in full swing (it feels like it never stopped swinging, like an over-confident boxer), it is with a breath of fresh air that I can announce that football, real football, with its kicking-and-rushing, its bobbly pitches, its cold showers and warm hospitality, is back. AND IT’S LIVE!*

The hard work and tough miles and incessant sweat – it all seemed for nowt. Straight from the off, Tiffinians were on the back foot. Grammarians started positively, linking some nice play around Grist’s. T’s were struggling to connect, and looked vulnerable. Tense.

It’s important to some football minds to never concede first – you can’t lose if you don’t concede. Others feel this is too cautious. It seems that, of all players on the field in the first half, Jack T alone stood in the camp of the former. As a through ball sliced the Tiffs’ defence apart and the Grammarians’ no.9 through on goal, Jack ensured that neither man nor ball (nor man, he made certain) reached the goal. Credible calls for a penalty and red card were brushed away by the ref, and the score remained 0-0. All ball.

It took time for Tiffs to settle in after this, with the best play of the half a scintillating 6-pass sequence that impressed Al Doe’s family (his mum and dad stopped by whilst walking the dog). Apart from this moment the half lacked composure and all was tense. Oli connected well with a first-time shot from range that ricocheted off the keeper. Tiffs kept trying to ask questions, but never cleared their throat properly before speaking. Al’s parents and dog walked on. Woof.

The reticent build-up play was punished by a speculative ball into the box provoking a scramble. The loose ball found its way to the Grammarians’ striker on the wrong side of Tiffs’ keeper. 0-1. Lament.

Captain Conrad’s half-time team talk is now lost to legend. But it can be confirmed that it did the trick. Tiffs came out of the traps, with new boy Emmanuel moved up top and duly running onto an Al Doe pass and sending it on into the bottom corner at the near post. The Grammarians were rocked, Tiffs had momentum, and the right tactical tweak would then turn this game on its head. 5 minutes later, AFC Division 4 South’s most invigorating tactical mind hooked the goalscorer. Genius, never let them know your next move. 1-1. Game on.

That being said, the move refreshed Tiffs’ presence in possession. The Purps played with fervour and vigour. Whenever the ball found its way out to Amadeus, he showed front-footedness and positivity with his direct playing style. Unfortunately, one such instance resulted in a duel with the opposition no.8, who advanced with the ball, cut inside and wrapped the ball into the top corner at the far post. 1-2. Bins.

Composure dissipated once more, and Tiffs tried to calm things down by working out from the back with mixed results. Owen, hitherto rock-steady on either flank, fell over with no one within 5 yards of him. You could hear the 25p fine write itself as he hit the deck. Bambi.

The gameplay levelled out somewhat, and T’s found some openings behind their high line, especially on the left. Adrian and Oli probed the weaker flank with runs in behind, but the Grammarians’ defence was quick and persistent to track back. Dogged.

A succession of corners dialled up the pressure in the Tiffs’ box, but the defence appeared solid. Then, like all eggs that will exist in this world, it cracked. Having explicitly singled out an opposition player as his man, Reece allowed him to head a bouncing ball into the net uncontested. 1-3. Asleep.

The advance of time became obvious. Soon the pints and pizzas would arrive – Tiffs had to do something soon to keep the game alive. The pals in purple pushed on, posturing to precipitate plenty of openings. Long shots, wide runs, mazy dribbles. Kitchen sink.

Attacking corner followed attacking corner. Tiffs were twisting the screw, dialling up the pressure, but the Sinj defence held firm. The home team attacked another corner that was cleared by the defender and the counter attack was swift and unstoppable. 1-4. Deflation.

It was late in the day and all hope was forlorn. The mighty T continued. The Grammerians were pinned back. Al Cunningham received the ball on the right. Head up, he picked his pass. Oli wrestled with two burly centre-backs. The ball swung in towards the six-yard box. The keeper was nowhere, basking in his day’s work. Reece saw his opening. Leapt. Met the ball. Forgot how to head the ball. Missed from 4 yards. Sitter.

At full time, hands were shaken and all was done. Drinks were poured and feet were rested and fines were given. The 3s opened their account for the season with a loss that didn’t dishearten. For a team of many debutants, there were glimpses that promised potential for the upcoming fixtures. And what mattered most were the 90 minutes of football that were pure and unpolished and honest, and that is something to hold onto. Perspective.

 

*It’s not actually live – Sky Sports couldn’t afford to renew the rights. However, it is sometimes live-recorded on our shiny new Veo Cam, with highlights available via the Old Tiffinians FC Youtube Channel. Subscribe.

https://www.youtube.com/@OldTiffiniansFC