League Cup Final vs. London Wayfarers Vikings
Won 2-0
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TULSE HILL & DULWICH TORNADOS 2010/11Back Row: Tom Alexander, Mark Pulford, Rich Fenton, Alex Carse, Will Lucas, Simon Bailey (GK) |
The last game of the season and the first time the Tornados have legitimately made Finals day. Having already won promotion - by coming second in the division - this was the Tornados' chance to prove their class. The previous week saw them beat 3rd place Richmond in the Semi-Finals, giving them a record of 2 wins & 1 draw against that team. The only real final the division needed was a rematch between the Vikings & the Tornados to settle which team really was better. With the league matches between them resulting in a flattering 3-0 win for Wayfarers on the first meeting and a 0-0 draw, contrived from a mass of missed chances by the Tornados, in the second meeting. This was a match poised evenly in the balance with both teams having something to prove.
The Tornados won the toss and started the brighter in a heat sapping day on the sand at Old Loughts. But after a few minutes of possession with little penetration - with the exception of a wayward shot being worn in the face by one of the Wayfarers players - the domination began to shift the other way. A plethora of short corners and circle penetrations were defended by THD to leave the sides even at half-time. Fortunately, Wayfarers had overplayed their hand, pushed too hard had little of substance to offer in the second half. A short corner against them saw the Tornados take the lead at the third attempt with a ripping shot from Alex Bristow flew across the keeper and into the inside netting. Then shortly after, a mazy run from Russ Young gained a flick after a deliberate foul by the goalie - who escaped a deserved yellow card - but Alex Carse spurned the chance to take a 2-0 lead by putting the ball well wide.
This reprieve saw Wayfarers lifted and renewed but an almost immediate turnover of possession resulted in the Tornados going straight back down the other end and doubling their advantage with a precise pushed ball just inside the post from Russ. That goal broke both the hearts & resolve of the opposition and the remainder of the half belonged to the Tornados as Wayfarers increasingly tried to force openings and went a man down after a lack of discipline. All of which played into the hands of the Tornados who deservedly boast the 2nd best defensive record in the whole of the London League, not just Division 5. With few scares the Tornados played out the remainder of the half.
The full time whistle went and THD lifted, what was to be, the first of two Trophies that day as the 2s also went on to win their final that afternoon.
A fitting end to a season's endeavour & the end of an era. Promotion & Cup Final winners - the most successful season ever for the Tornados (M4s).
Team: Simon Bailey (GK), Richard Austin, Tom Alexander, Simon Wilshire, Phil Fishwick, MJ (c), Alex Bristow, Alex Carse, Mark Pulford, Phil Fishwick, Will Lucas, Rich Fenton & Russ Young.
Unavailable Squad players: James Casey, Wes Cole & Sam Thompson.
Scorers: Alex Bristow & Russ Young.
Coaches: Aidan Brock & Oli Clark.