Dorking Cobblers 3–0 Old Tiffinian’s 4’s
Old Tiffinian’s 4’s finally returned to competitive football after nearly two months away — a break long enough for some players to forget what shin pads are for — and were immediately handed a welcome-back gift in the form of a trip to league-leading Dorking Cobblers.
Despite the rust, Tiffs started well. Early Cobblers pressure was soaked up, and Tiffs even remembered how to attack, creating a few chances of their own. The defence held firm… until Dorking decided to remind everyone why they’re top of the league, slicing through with some slick one- and two-touch football to score twice in quick succession. 2–0, and a timely reminder that football fitness is, in fact, real.
Rather than folding, Tiffs actually started playing some very decent stuff. Chances came and went, shots flew narrowly over the bar, and the Dorking goalkeeper turned into a man possessed, pulling off save after save to keep it 2–0 at the break.
The second half saw Tiffs firmly on top after a team talk and a few fresh legs. More pressure, more shots, more saves. At one point, a wayward back pass looked set to gift Tiffs a one-on-one… only for the Dorking defender to accidentally Cruyff-turn Sean with a scuffed clearance — a moment that will live long in the memory, much to Sean’s delight (or not).
Then, against the run of play, Dorking were awarded a penalty for handball. It was dispatched neatly, making it 3–0 and firmly confirming that this was going to be one of those days.
Even after that, Tiffs kept going, creating chances right until the final whistle, but no matter what they tried, the ball simply refused to cross the goal line. Some days it goes in off someone’s knee; this was not one of those days.
Full time: 3–0. No points, no goals, but plenty of positives — and most importantly, football was finally back.