Sat 13th Apr 2019
League
Edgware Town 2-4 TAFC First team
TAFC goals: Carl Mensah, James Verney, George Ironton, Jon Clements
MORE TWIST AND TURNS FOR TITLE AS WE RECLAIM TOP SPOT
On Saturday we recovered from our disappointing and unlucky midweek defeat at Biggleswade FC to win at Edgware Town and return to top of the table after our Beds rivals could only draw 2-2 at home to Wembley.
We have a 2 point lead but Biggleswade FC will still remain favourites to lift the title as they have 2 games in hand and need 8 points from their last 4 games to pip us on goal difference.
For our trip to Edgware we were without Dave O'Connor so Mr Versatile Tommy Twelves moved into central defence alongside Carl Mansah and Lee Stobbs replaced him at right back. Ian also brought in James Verney with Ashton Campbell dropping to the bench.
Our win at Edgware was far from straight forward. We stated and finished the game well but in between we had a very sloppy spell particularly during the early stages of the second half when our hosts came from behind twice before an absolute cracker from George Ironton and a late goal from Jon Clements finally settled matters.
The game was played on a 3G pitch (something we aspire to have one day) and the players immediately felt at home on the smooth playing surface, knocking the ball around as if was a training session. We dominated the opening 10 minutes with Edgware hardly getting a touch.
It came as no surprise when we opened the scoring in the 9th minute when following a free kick on the right Lee Stobbs (who had an excellent game at right back) sent over a fine cross that was neatly headed into the corner by Carl Mensah, giving the keeper no chance. Surprisingly it was only the 2nd goal for the big man. Score 0-1.
The first stirrings from the home side came in the 12th minute when a long ball fell to their impressive young centre forward Alex Morgan who wasted a good opportunity by shooting wide. Later Connor Sansom was unable to keep hold of a free kick but he we managed to clear the danger.
We were still enjoying more possession with George Ironton forcing the home keeper Harry Hauserman to tip his free kick over then James Verney headed a cross just wide then shot across goal from a good position.
As the first half drew to a conclusion Edgware started to rouse themselves with Omololu Onabolu twice forcing good saves from keeper Connor Sansom, but we went into the break holding a narrow one goal advantage. HT Score 0-1.
We started the second period sloppily and the game went through a crazy spell with 4 goals scored within the first 20 minutes.
The first goal and equaliser came after just 7 minutes from the restart, when we lost the ball in midfield and with our defence spread out waiting for the ball Paul Marks took full advantage of the wide open space down the middle to stride through and calmly slot the ball past Connor Sansom. Score 1-1.
Edgware's defence was also showing signs brittleness and within 2 minutes of equalising they allowed James Verney to run at them and then strike a lovely shot from 20 yards that their keeper couldn't keep out. Score 2-1.
The topsy turvy start to the second half continued when we then gave away a penalty within 3 minutes of retaking the lead. Richardo Alexander-Greenway stroked the ball home to grab his side's 2nd equaliser. Score 2-2.
But the fun and entertainment for the spectators was not over with us taking the lead yet again with a goal of some quality. From a short corner routine George Ironton evaded a challenge then cracked home from the left hand corner of the box a magnificent shot that arrowed into the top right hand corner of the net. It was a goal of the highest quality and was his 8 of the season. Score 2-3.
Having taken the lead for the 3rd time we were in no mood to let our opponents back in the game and we took control, retaining possession and putting pressure on the Edgware defence. Several chances came our way with the best falling to Kieran Turner after the keeper palmed out a fierce shot from the impressive James Verney, but our skipper slotted the ball wide of the post.
The crucial 4th goal came 5 minutes from time with Roy Byron, Luke Dunstan and Ashton Campbell all involved in setting up Jon Clements who slipped the ball past the keeper to round off the scoring. FT Score 2-4.
Afterwards Ian Richardson summed up the game. "Good performance from the boys although they got a bit sloppy in the second half, but all four goals were great finishes"
We have 2 league games left and will hope to take maximum points to keep the pressure on Biggleswade FC who will still be favourites, but there may yet be some more twist and turns before the season ends.
We will also keep an eye on Hadley (who drew 1-1 at Leighton Town) who are 2 points behind us. Four points from our last 2 league games should see us take the runners-up spot on goal difference.
We travel to bottom of the table Cockfosters on Saturday for our penultimate league match. But before then we will make the short trip to old rivals Berkhamsted on Tuesday night for a place in the Herts Charity Shield final.
As this will be my last Match Report I would like thank Ian Richardson for his kind words and to my fellow supporters for their comments and observations which I frequently build into the reports. Also thanks to George Bogdan for his videos of the games - they really helped as an aide memoirs. Finally I will still be attending games next season but perhaps not so often. Many thanks. Ralph Griffiths
Teams:
ET:1 Harry Hauserman 2 Sam Addae 3 Rio Beach 4 Fergus Moore 5 George McCluskey (Capt), 6 Paul Marks 7 Ethan Mooney (14 Donville Jovann Munroe 70) 8 Richardo Alexander-Greenway 9 Alex Morgan 10 Eisa Azab (15 David Barbagallo 84) 11 Omolulu Onabolu (12 Kahlil Francis 66). Subs not used: 16 Shammar Swaby 17 Darron Bonfield.
TA:1 Connor Sansom 2 Lee Stobbs 3 Brima Johnson 4 Mark Riddick (14 Roy Byron HT) 5 Tommy Twelves 6 Carl Mensah 7 Luke Dunstan 8 James Verney (12 Ashton Campbell 80) 9 Jon Clements 10 Kieran Turner (Capt) 11 George Ironton (15 Joe Fitzgerald 85). Sub not used: 16 Pa\t Sinfield.
Scorers
ET:6 (52), 8 Pen (57)
TA:Carl Mensah (9), James Verney (54), George Ironton (65), Jon Clements (85)
Crowd:54