27th September 2025
THD M4 vs East London M4
After disappointingly conceding two late goals in the season opener last week, the M4s were keen to take three away points against East London M4s as we aim to bounce back up to Div 3S.
With a lack of availability across the lower club, this looked to be a challenge as we had just 12 players at our disposal. This was made more challenging by an unavoidable late drop out of the keeper and, despite the best efforts to rectify this in the morning, we were resigned to the fact we'd be playing without a goalkeeper.
With the additional outfield player, we set up as 4-4-3 and looked to control possession, only conceding 2 short corners and 1 shot on goal. At the other end, we created several chances and shorts to no avail, heading into halftime 0-0. A game-ending injury to T. Paish 10 minutes, getting DoD for a TFC, meant we played most of the match with 10.
Our confidence grew in the 2nd half as we continued to dominate possession and press high, leading to lots of high turnovers. Eventually, we broke them down with a well-worked move ending with T. Duppen setting up chief poacher W. Leachman at the back post. Our pressure continued, and the opposition succumbed to frustration, receiving two greens and three Yellows. Remarkably, we didn't get any cards...
Player of the match A. Mitchell bullied the opposition the whole match, showing great strength and tenacity despite being half the age of the oppo. A superb solo goal for Mitchell to make it 2-0 was denied by the umpire's whistle 0.2 seconds before the ball hit the backboard.
Despite a quick break from East London that was eventually cleared off the line, our pressure proved too much. We finally converted a short corner, W. Leachman again at the back post, guiding in a shot from D. Lambeth. 2-0 with 5mins left to play.
The same pairing teamed up to seal victory, with Leachman completing a hat-trick. 3-0, and equalling last season's clean sheet tally of 1 already - Who needs a keeper anyways?!
The promotion charge continues next week against Spencer M6s.
Final score: THD M4 3 - 0 East London M4
*photo from last season...