This Thursday voters around the country will make their way to decide who will lead the country. Last Saturday Tiffs IIIs made their way to Woking to see if they were any better at football than Old Wokingians VIs. After a quick warm up for all those on time, Dan won the toss, we changed ends to not play directly into the sun…it immediately seemed to cloud over and the game got going. The pitch was about as agricultural as Woking’s brand of football proved to be…smaller and with colourful additional markings…but no goose shit or craters in the middle – so small victories.

After the opening exchanges it was obvious this was going to be a physical game. Their style of play apparently right out the Tony Pulis/Rory Delap play book…and so it was that Tiff’s conceded the first goal. One of the first of many, many long throw-ins was flicked on and finished at the back post. 1-0. The game then seemed to go through a series of corners and long throws until one of their various farmer-ish/mutant Harry Kane looking players jumped the highest from a corner. 2-0. After a quick Tiffin break by Steve Dwyer he was scythed down just inside of the box and the ref was having none of it. Unfortunate. Soon after, back up the other end the third goal came again from a set piece, failing to clear it properly the ball went straight to the oppo for a simple finish Nader could do nothing about. 3-0. There were a few close calls and post throw in goal mouth scrambles, but the half ended with the same score line.

At half time Dan said a few words on the poor performance, before Ben Harrison gave a Michael Jordan in Space Jam-esque galvanising team talk – rightly pointing out we had been beaten in the air, but then weren’t closing down the second ball. Regrouped and reinvigorated we went back out for the second half. Within minutes we conceded the fourth. It was yet more long throw ins and again a flick on which the oppo finished on the volley. 4-0. At this point Tiffs actually started to play some better football and compete in the air and hold the ball up. This culminated in a goal of the season contender from the recently returned to the squad Joe Yates. Volleying over the keeper with a nice finish after a break into their box. 4-1. Wokingians were still happy to play the aerial football and long balls and the did have more chances – hitting the post and bringing some fine saves out of Nader. However, it was Tiffs that got the next goal.. the officiating which had been a similar standard to SW trains so far that weekend pointed to the spot after a challenge on Joe Yates in the box, who converted for his second of the game. 4-2. With some tired legs starting to show it was Wokingians who scored last, a man free at the back post after a quick break heading in. 5-2. After a very obnoxious, and hopefully heavily fined corner-flag boxing celebration, there wasn’t much time left and the game finished. 5-2.

A tough result, but the pitch, long balls, set pieces and throw ins really made it tough. We have a chance next week to put it right next week against Old Meadonians…a must win game that could see us up to dizzying heights of joint 9th. See you all then.

Players:

Al Cunningham
Ben Harrison
Ben Lewis
Chris Carter
Dan Hogg

Dom Lundie

Joe Yates
Nader Meradji
Owen Griffiths

Owen Kirk
Sam Edgar

Steve Dwyer

Assists:

Dan Hogg

Goals:

Joe Yates
Joe Yates

MOTM: Ben Harrison