Sat 1st March 2014

Ryman South

1-0

Tooting produced a battling display to upset the form book by beating high fliers Hastings United at a sun baked KNK Stadium. The Terrors had the first chance of the game in the 3rd minute when Tinashe Nkoma broke through but Josh Pelling in the visitor’s goal saved well. Two minutes later our former striker Frankie Sawyer had a chance but our ever reliable keeper Paul Smith kept the effort out. Midway through the half Paul Smith was in action again saving a shot from Trevor McCreadie and soon after the Sussex side had a good shout for a penalty, everyone held their breath as the referee waved away the visitors appeals. In the closing stages of the half Paul Smith was in action again making good blocks to deny Josh Jirbandey and Bailo Camara.

Half-time  Tooting & Mitcham United   0      Hastings United   0

After the break we got what proved to be the winner in the 73rd minute when Max Noble made one of his great surging runs down the left and his cross was knocked in by substitute Ryan Palmer who has just returned to the club. Four minutes later Frankie Sawyer broke through our ranks but our keeper bravely dived at the strikers feet to keep out the effort both men requiring treatment in the process. We also had a shout for a penalty waved away and then in the 83rd and 84th minutes substitute Cecil Jee produced two terrific drives which were superbly beaten away by Josh Pelling. Deep into stoppage time Max Noble went on another mazy run beaten several defenders but his shot was saved at the near post. All in all a great performance from our lads just what the doctor ordered and once again we proved that we can live with the best in the division. It was also great to see two of our former stars at the game central defender John Robertson who earned many England Amateur International Caps in the 1960’s for the Terrors before having to sadly retire due to a bad knee injury and striker Ken Jelly who was a prolific scorer for the club who came through the ranks and gained a England Amateur International Cap. It was great catching up with the pair and talk about the old days. The attendance was 248 the second highest home crowd of the season.

TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED : Paul Smith, Harry Knock(Ryan Palmer), Nathan Gordon, Bashiru Alimi, Jordan Cheadle, Colin Hartburn, Tom Jelley, Francis Quarm, Juan Onieva, Tinashe Nkoma(Cecil Jee), Max Noble. Other subs Blanchard Bikuilan, Sol Pinnock and Harvey Cheadle.

Man of the Match Paul Smith

Match report by Ian Bullock

Sat 8th March 2014

Ryman South

0-2

Tooting exacted a measure of revenge against the divisions basement club.

Alex Rose signed from Carshalton Athletic and made his debut at fullback in place of the suspended Nathan Gordon. A frustrating first half saw plenty of Tooting possession, but little in the way of goalmouth action. Sol Pinnock shot over early on, as did Nkoma after 10 minutes, but that was as good as it got.

Half Time:  Eastbourne Town 0-0 Terrors

TJ Nkoma converted a Jelley cross shortly after the restart and proceeded to demonstrate how much his overall game is maturing with a classy display, rounded off  by an assist in Max Nobles 70th minute score.  In between home keeper Callum Cristie was stretchered off, but replacement Ross Sutton could do little to prevent the second goal.  

An easy victory, making it two away wins on the trot

Team: Williams, Jelley, Rose, Alimi, Cheadle, Hartburn, Palmer, Pinnock(Onieva), Nkoma, Noble(Watkins) Not used: H Cheadle.

Weds 5tht March 2014

Ryman South

1-2

A brace from Juan Onieva gave Terrors their first ever league ‘Double’ over the Hornets and ended a four month spell without an away league win.Tooting dominated the first period, although the ‘here we go again’ feeling surfaced in the tenth minute when Gary Charman stunningly headed clear a powerful Cheadle free kick from the goal line in defiance of the laws of physics.  Happily the cloud was lifted two minutes later when Onieva headed home a fine Jelley cross.

Gareth William returned to replace Smudger, who took a knock on Saturday, and once again showed his quality, although in the first half only one demonstration was needed when dealing with a top corner bound curling shot.

Terrors territorial domination eventually paid dividends in the 38th minute when Max Noble released Onieva for a one on one with keeper Thorp, which the striker won with a cool low finish.

Half Time:  Horsham 0-2 Terrors

The second half proved to be a different story. Having sat back and let Tooting play for the first 45 minutes the home team woke up and launched themselves forward. As has been the case for the last couple of years the home goal had an element of farce/luck about it, but it gave Hornets the incentive they needed. Nathan Gordon collected yet another blood injury so will probably appreciate his forthcoming suspension before finishing the season in a black and white striped shroud.

Terrors mustered but a single attack worthy of the name, a hat trick opportunity for Juan, but he dragged the sot wide. Back at the other end and local nemesis Charman span onto a cross ball, exercising Williams with his accurate shot.

Harry Knock spared last minute heartbreak with a headed goal line clearance to trigger wild celebrations amongs the great unwashed behind the goal.

TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED : Williams, Jelley, Gordon, Alimi, Cheadle, Hartburn, Palmer(Knock), Quarm, Onieva, Watkins, Noble. Not used: Jee, Bikuilan, Nkoma and Harvey Cheadle.

Mon 10th March 2014

Ryman South

0-0

Seven points from three successive away games was probably unimaginable two weeks ago, but Tooting on tour seem to have cast off the awayday blues (if not the blue kit).

After a first half of considerable tedium, enacted entirely in the middle third of the pitch, Tooting carved out the only chances of note in the second.  Craig Watkins chipped the keeper, but was just wide of the target early on.  Juan Onieva was the focus of operations behind the front two and set up a shot for Jelley that the home keeper was lucky to save with his chest. Juan was also TJs provider for a fierce shot that was saved in a more conventional manner, this time for a corner.

The home side got into the game for the final ten minutes, with play mainly transferring to the Tooting half, but they never seriously looked like hurting a solid Tooting defence.

A last minute Jordan Cheadle free kick from the edge of the box was heading for the top corner of the net, but he was delied by a fine flying save to ensure that the points would be shared.

Team: Williams, Jelley, Rose, Alimi, Cheadle, Hartburn, Palmer, Quarm, Watkins, Nkoma(Pinnock), Onieva Not used: Noble, Knock, Cheadle.