TCS A 8 - 1 Ashmoor C

As the only non-Tiverton/Exeter Uni side to beat TCS in the previous season, Ashmoor posed a threat to the current winning streak that has seen TCS A move 5 points clear at the top of the league table.

The game started cagey with both sides making positive plays but most of the action was limited to the midfield. Eventually a raking ball from Ali Johnston found David Grenfell in acres of space. Grenfell took time to deliver the final ball to Bill 'Casper' Horner who had ghosted behind all Ashmoor defenders for a tap around the keeper. 1 - 0 and in attempting to save the ball the Ashmoor keeper aggravated an injury to his back causing concern amongst his team.

Carter picked up a green card mid-way through the first half for protesting a tackle too much. The rest of the half passed with more of the attacking play made by TCS A led by skipper Danno and Jason 'Mexican' Harris who were finding a lot of success moving the ball through the midfield but the final touch proved elusive and the sides went into half time at 1 - 0.

TCS quickly began to run the game in the second half and an excellently worked goal from David Grenfell doubled their lead. Sam 'Woody' Woodland was next to find the back of the net finishing off a well worked move. After battling for most of the game, the Ashmoor goalkeeper could no longer continue and the travelling side switched to a kicking back. The game took a shift and Ashmoor became a more attacking side drawing fouls and frustration from the TCS midfield.

The first to see the bench for a short suspension was David 'hatchet man' Grenfell for a frankly shocking tackle, quickly followed by the Mexican Harris, who could not see the green cards flashing without getting in on the action. With a TCS down to 9 against Ashmoor for the second time this season some excellent defensive play was needed. It was suitably provided by skipper Danno, 'the great white north' Karl Patrick, Ali Johnston, Big Ev Tarr and new lad Joe Johnson backed up fully by the side's 4th keeper of the year, Julian Brown.

When TCS were back to their full 11 they set about scoring more goals to push their dominance but resolute defending and attacks on the break kept Ashmoor hopes alive. That is, until the great white north found himself in nosebleed territory breaking into the D. Unselfishly though, instead of putting the ball into the empty net, he threw himself to the ground drawing a penalty flick which he promptly refused to take and headed back to the defensive area where he feels more at home. Carter stepped up to flick at a brave unpadded goalkeeper and it crossed his mind to go easy on him. That is, until Jason 'team spirit' Harris began sledging his own player, and with the threat of an early 'dick of the season' nomination in his ears, Carter went high and hard giving the Ashmoor stand in kicker no chance.

Ashmoor rallied again and had a period of their own dominance spearheaded by their skipper and central midfield partnership. This led to an attack into the D and a fine deflected goal from Ashmoor forward Ben Cowdry. His feathered touch was highly debated by the TCS defence but the goal stood and TCS needed to get their heads back up quickly. Two quick goals steadied the ship. One from David Grenfell after a bit of cheeky play from Carter and a fine pass from Woody, followed by a sublime chip from Bill Horner after receiving a (probably accidental) beautifully placed pass from Conor Neal.

Two more empty net goals from Sam woodland and Andy Carter rounded off the scoring and the game concluded with the final score 8 - 1 to the home side. The score line looked convincing but this was a fine Ashmoor performance that isn't reflected in the final result.

MOTM went to Jason Harris for a great performance in the defensive midfield and centre back roles (permanent defensive role for him we think). DOTD went to Karl Patrick for being amazing up to the p-spot and less than perfect between there and the goal.

All players put in very strong performances and represented the team well. Josh Upham had some great plays on the right wing assisting Woody for his second goal; Joe Johnson made some excellent saving tackles and timely passes; Jamie Woodland was pivotal in the build up to many of the second half goals; Evan Tarr made some perfect tackles to shut down the play on the Ashmoor right flank; Ben Pressly-Smith patrolled the midfield with growing confidence and got stuck in with the tackling.