Tooting Close To Ricay Upset But Slip Late On
- Official TMUFC
- Oct 29, 2017
- 2 min read
For around 45 minutes yesterday afternoon, the Terrors looked set to cause an upset at Blunts Wall Road against big spending Billericay Town. However 3 goals from the bench in the final 9 minutes sadly put paid to that and sent Tooting home disappointed, with the result of not the performance, and thinking of what might have been.
Despite some early pressure from the home side, and some typically good saves from Matte Pierson, it was Tooting who controlled most of the game in the first half and got stronger as the period progressed. The two new boys, Tom Jelley and Sam Flegg, looked solid in defence whilst Eddie Dines and Dominic Morgan-Griffiths dictated the pace from the centre of midfield. As always the Terrors looked dangerous down both flanks; Danny Bassett down the right and Dan Clements and Peter Wedgeworth linking up well down the left while Omar Folkes and Mike Dixon renewed their partnership up top to make life difficult for the centre backs. Tooting deservedly took the lead on 38 minutes when Mike Dixon got the better of Leo Chambers in a battle of both wills and strength, shrugging him off before sliding the ball past Alan Julian from 12 yards out.
In the second half, Billericay upped the pace and Tooting found themselves on the back foot for the most part but still looked dangerous when they broke forward. The home side's pressure finally paid off though when they drew level on 81 minutes as substitute Joseph Ellul headed home a corner from the near edge of the six yard box. Then 60 seconds later, another corner and another goal for Ellul and Tooting suddenly found themselves facing defeat.
Despite the double blow, Tooting never gave up and continued to press forward looking to bring themselves back into the game. Things were finally sealed for the home side though in the 90th minute when another substitute, Ricky Modeste broke forward and scored after Mike Dixon had been dispossessed on the edge of the Billericay area while looking for a team mate in space.
Photo credit: Sam Conquest