Tooting game

[lewessussex]

Big game tomorrow, crucial that we get the win to keep in contention of the play-offs, will be together against the top side though. Hope a big crowd will be there.
I would go with
gk- winny
lb-george
cb-malins
cb- freeman
rb- brinky
lm- okoh
rm- charlie
cm- dixon
cm- harrington
cm- hammo
st- smith

subs- brothers, fernandez, cotton, bown, conlon

[James]

To be honest, looking at the fixtures between now and end of season, they all look like big games. It seems relentless.

[seafordrook]

Lost to a side that looked a top of the table outfit and probably defined were we are and how much better we need to be. To be honest we had some clear chances that we didn't take, gave away two poor penalties (again!) plus an own goal howler. A point from the game would have been a good point at the start so result best forgotten, learn from a better team and focus on another tough game on Wednesday.

[pellsfan]

Don't forget the red card. Our goal difference is hopeless anyway, so why foul from behind to try and stop another going in when it costs your team a ban?

[James]

It wasn't pretty from Tooting but it was effective. Do you think they always play hoofball to their very strong No 9 or was it just a tactic they employed against us?

[piddinghoer]

Both their nos 9 and 10 were very strong and able to hold the play. Fairly beaten by a very good team but not much went our way today either - two penalties against, a sending off and an own goal howler. Our penalty appeal ended in a booking for diving which looked harsh.

The crowd was excellent and some Tooting fans behind me were singing the praises of the Lewes fans when 0-5 down on 90 minutes and virtually all of us were still cheering the team on.

[spur]

The scoreline is a bit of a travesty. We were spanked in the end, but as the hour came up we were just 2-0 down and, goals apart (one classy strike and one unfortunate own goal) we'd matched the league leaders in an entertaining end-to-end game. Indeed, at 1-0 we were denied a clear penalty, Steven Okoh carded for diving when he had every opportunity to get a shot away. Their first penalty on the hour ended the contest, but we kept playing football throughout. Our part of the 700-plus crowd thought we were much better than the result suggests. And what a cracker at the death from Okoh!

[rookmark]

A bit of an odd result as Tooting weren't four goals better than us today but what the result did show was the obvious flaws in our defence. I think Freeman has been disappointing this season having played well last year and his distribution from the back is woeful. I think today also showed Cotton not to be a centre back. Their number 9 who was particularly impressive gave him the run around all day. Against some of the weaker teams we can get away with not having big physical centre backs but when the top teams come around we need a strong no nonsense CB who won't let the forward run the show like he did today.

Big game now on Wednesday night and a win there still keeps us in a good position in the league. If we play a full 90 like we played in the first 20 minutes today we will beat Dorking. I hope Jonte can start getting a bit of confidence back in front of goal because he had a few chances today and he should have scored at least once. You can forgive him for not putting himself about when he's taking his chances and scoring but when he isn't, he's a frustrating player to watch.

[believer]

I really didn't think Tooting were that good. After 20 minutes it was 0-0 and there seemed no reason we couldn't get a result. Then, as can sometimes happen, it all went wrong and we were well beaten by a side full of confidence on the back of a long winning run. We were not helped by the ref who couldn't stop blowing his whistle - normally for things only he could see. Most disappointing thing today is that we had an opportunity to show non regulars in a big crowd why they should come more often and we blew it. A good performance today could have buoyed the crowd numbers for the rest of the season. Would you come back after that if you were a casual fan?

[spur]

'Would you come back after that if you were a casual fan?' What, six goals and two teams giving their all! A horrible scoreline, but otherwise an excellent non-league joust in bright sunshine - so I'd hope so . . .

[fairweatherrook]

I thought Jonte had a ok game, but you'd back him to put one of those chances away and unfortunately he didn't. He held up the ball well and brought others into play in a way he didn't do last season.

We were poor across the park yesterday though. Thought Matty George and Jonte were the only players who played ok, everyone else was below par and Tooting were especially adept at punishing our mistakes, of which there were many.

[stuartnoel]

Okoh's wasn't a penalty, he had lost control of the ball and fell over a leg that was already there...We were daily beaten by a very organised team who marked Charlie out of the game and proved a handful for our CBs. Can't legislate for the own goal or the deflection on the first one. They are top scorers in the league for a reason!

As for the comment about "why would the casual fan come back?" - I will leave that one hanging there...Non-League football's much more than just a result..

[tootingfan]

Hello,as a tooting fan,I was at the game yestaday.The score line did flatter us.First half you put us under a lot of pressure,but our back 4 and keeper played well.It did look like you should have had penalty,but the ref did have a better view than me and must have seen something.Though I don't know why you would fall over with a good chance of scoring.I think if you had scored first it could have been different game,but we will never know.As for hoofing up to our number 9,that's a bit harsh.Away games when he(Dixon) has more room to run is a good tactic.He is very strong and quick.I think you saw that.If we have control of midfield we like to play it wide with fullbacks joining in.First half was a war in midfield.Can I say(not because of score)that my wife and I really enjoyed our trip to Lewes.It is a lovely ground,and people seamed really friendly.Good luck for rest of season.Starting with Dorking please.

[believer]

I hope I'm wrong about the casual fans because the more that come the better the atmosphere and the bigger the takings. Just think that most would be casual Lewes fans and might not have been that impressed with the shoreline. I guess we will see at the next Saturday home game.

[noonan]

Tooting were superior in every one on one tussle and passing etc . Obviously some money put in here as in programme it says O'Reilly who scored that excellent first goal for them signed for them full time recently! Good luck to them as someone brought up
supporting them at Sandy Lane they deserve some as have had turbulent times.