OTFC IIs match report – vs. @JohnFisherOBFC IIs in the League 6 South (@AmateurFC):

OTFC IIs 3-1 John Fisher IIs
Forsyth
Bostelmann
Bettis

Newly appointed captain Dicky Bostelmann led his OTFC IIs out onto an unusually flat Grist’s pitch on an unusually bright Saturday afternoon. Old Tiffs started well (perhaps due to Mark Cooper’s terrifyingly thorough warm up routine) and dominated the midfield during the opening exchanges. New boy Anand Date had some joy on the wing, exposing the weak John Fisher left side, and both he and Will Forsyth saw efforts saved by the opposition keeper before Alex Hollamby fired over from the edge of the box. As the half drew on, however, Tiffin tired badly and the final 20mins belonged to John Fisher. After considerable pressure and some implausible saves by Danny Wight the visitors broke the deadlock close to half time and comfortably saw out the remainder of the half. 1-0 to John Fisher.

After a good chat and a few tactical tweaks at half time Tiffin firmly regained control of the match. Some neat linkup between Alan Hutcheson, Gary Brant and the forwards provided a constant threat to the creaking John Fisher defence, and OTFC finally made the breakthrough around the hour mark – Forsyth poking home after a Dave Bettis shot was parried by the goalkeeper. Fisher looked a spent force after the goal and Tiffin began playing with real conviction. Forsyth played in Hutcheson who saw his effort well saved before John Fisher failed to deal with a Bettis corner and ‘captain colossus’ Dicky Bostelmann nodded the home side into a well-earned lead.

The chances flowed in the final minutes of the game and the third should have come earlier than it did. Jon Youl and Hollamby missed opportunities before the John Fisher defence gifted the ball to Bettis clear through on goal, only for the Tiffs striker to have a rare Darius Vassell moment – inexplicably scuffing wide of the near post from 10 yards. Bettis soon atoned – wrapping up the victory with a fine finish in the dying moments to secure an impressive 3-1 win for the boys in magenta.