A win that got away!
Maori Vets 2 v Old Tiffinians Vets 2
(HT 1 – 1)
Adam Quirke
Dave Harry

Ember Court knew we were coming and had placed a physio’s bed in the changing room! Good numbers had turned up, 15 players in all. Baile had organised the troops and Tiffs started strongly. Smith in goal, a back four of Pilbrow, Jones, Wilkins and Baile. In Midfield Quirke, Orsmond, Towers and Bhalla. Up top Harry and Banoub.  Phelps, Kent, Seabrook and Patel on the bench, soon to be called into action. Sniffer had the footballs, but decided we were a better team without them so did not turn up!

Towers was a giant in the middle of the park, Orsmond chest out was bossing things in midfield. Jones did well keeping the opposition and Wilkins quiet. Great to see the energiser bunny back! Chances were coming for Tiffs, Bhalla had a great chance, went wide, Orsmond’s free kick went over the wall and just curled wide. The deadlock was broken by Quirke, the silver squirrel (he is still looking for his nuts!), who finished calmly when the opportunity fell to him in the box. Maori equalised with their first shot of the game, a bobble took the ball over Smith’s arm.

Phelps was on with a point to prove and was immense in defence. Just pulled out of a sliding tackle that would have been a certain penalty. Their player fell over anyway! All even at the turn. Harry never stopped running, Seabrook was getting opportunities and when his initial shot was saved the rebound fell to Harry who made no mistake. Lots of changes saw players getting plenty of game time. Towers inventive idea of trying to run the clock down by hiding the ball in the hedge behind their goal was working. Maori hit the post with a rare attack. Seabrook clean through on goal saw his shot rattle the bar. With 5 minutes to go a surging run and calm finish saw the Maori level.

Baile, thinking we were losing, went to 3 at the back looking for the win, Diz still concussed from Belgium 2022 thought we were winning! Your scribe can confirm it finished two all. Towers, Harry, Phelps and Jones where immense all game and could have been POTM but I went for Orsmond. The midfield ran themselves into the ground and our defence was robust. Just felt we left a few chances out there which would have given us a deserved win on a pitch like a ploughed field. Sausage, chips and beers were enjoyed in the bar.

No match of the day tonight [Editor’s Note: due to a severe case of Badmin, this statement is no longer true] so here’s an alternative. Adam Q congrats on your debut appearance on Tiffs GoalCam.