There but for three minutes...

Tooting and Mitcham United 5 v 0 Croydon Athletic
Ryman League Division One South - Imperial Fields. Att: 317
Wednesday, 26th December 2007

It was not the Christmas present that we wanted although we all knew that this would be a difficult game. Tooting had despatched Croydon out of three cup competitions last season and is due to play them again in the London Senior Cup shortly but today's game left that prospect not one to savour.

The first half was a cagey affair. Croydon looked comfortable at the back and limited Tooting to a couple of breakaways that they did not convert. Disappointing at the other end it was nevertheless a good start after losing on Saturday to the bottom team. But a snap shot into the top-corner broke the deadlock with the 'keeper left standing. The goal was timed at 44 minutes and as everyone began to think of their half-time talk and the need to focus on creating chances at the other end suddenly Tooting were away again and it was slipped home for a 2-0 half-time lead.

Some say that a goal just before half-time is the worst time to concede but I disagree. I feel that a goal just after half-time when all the interval talk flies out of the window is the worst and that is just what happened. A minute into the 2nd half and Tooting made it three!

The game was over and although Tooting added 2 more goals to round off a splendid day for them it was back to the drawing board for the Rams. On Saturday they entertain Corinthian Casuals, a team who are near the bottom themselves, and a win is essential.