Saturday 16th July 12015

Friendly

1-2

HT

1-1

Lalor-Dell, Wilson

Our First Team kicked off their pre-season campaign this afternoon with a strong team performance against a well drilled Barnsley U21 Development squad, carving out a narrow victory which on the balance of play they no doubt deserved.

In a first half which saw a starting line-up that included 7 of last season’s squad, Tooting started strongly with plenty of midfield possession and looked to break forward at every opportunity.

However within 5 minutes they found themselves a goal down after the Barnsley forward line were able to carve their way through the Tooting defence which included “stand in” centre backs Bash Alimi and skipper for the day, Ashley Robinson. Tooting heads didn’t drop though and they continued to play their passing game, confidently moving the ball from back to front. They had their first real effort on goal just two minutes after going behind when Ashley Robinson, pushing forward, received the ball from a throw in down the right, cut inside, only to see his curling left footed effort go over the bar.

Although Tooting continued to dominate possession for the majority of the half, they could have found themselves two goals down on 25 minutes when they were caught on the break however the Barnsley striker who, unmarked, met the high cross coming in from the right with his head, could not get his effort on target and the ball flew about 4 feet past Kyle Merson’s right hand post. Four minutes later, a pressing Jordan Wilson caught one of the opposition centre backs in possession on the edge of the Barnsley box, broke clear but was only able to strike his effort directly at the Barnsley ‘keeper. Two minutes later, another effort fell the way of the same player when a lively looking Leon Lalor-Dell cut in from left and laid the ball across the edge of the box where it was met by Jordan Wilson whose strike soared over the crossbar. Tooting finally got a deserved equaliser two minutes before the break when Leon Lalor-Dell again cut in from the left, drove across the edge of the box and struck a shot low to the ‘keepers left and into the back of the net.

-—–––––––––––––––––—––—––––

Tooting made five changes at the half time break however it didn’t appear the upset the momentum they had built in the first period and they continued to dominate much of the possession and pass the ball around. Despite several good link ups down the left hand side between half time subs Cameron Karembe and Alex Kenlock,

Tooting were unable to trouble the Barnsley ‘keeper. As the game entered its final 10 minutes Tooting began to tire a little and started to soak up more pressure than they had done previously as the Barnsley youngsters started to take the game to them more. However on 86 minutes Tooting broke forward and some nice play between Alex Kenlock and Kurtis Pykes on the edge of the Barnsley penalty area saw Jordan Wilson clear and unmarked inside the 6 yard box and he struck home left footed from close range to give the Terrors a well deserved victory.

TMUFC Line-up; Kyle Merson, Charlie Hutton (Dalvin Connelly), Tenny Adebowale (Cameron Karembe), Bash Alimi, Ashley Robinson, Eddie Dines (Ben Osman), Kurtis Pykes, Jordan Wilson (Will Hutton), Myles Henry (Alex Kenlock), Matt Price, Leon Lalor-Dell

Footnote: The game was played with rolling subs which meant that in the final 10 minutes of the game, the previously substituted Jordan Wilson returned to replace Leon Lalor-Dell and Myles Henry returned to replace Matt Price

Match report by Tim Marcus

Saturday 13th August 12015

1-1

Dunn

HT

1-1

Honours were even in this opening league encounter probably a fair result but only a brilliant save in stoppage time from Matte Pierson stopped the visitors going home with full points. In the opening ten minutes Herne Bay’s impressive winger Sam Hasler had two free-kicks saved by Matte Pierson and United debutant Danny Bassett tested Jack Delo with a fierce drive.

The Kent side opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Hasler scored after the Terrors failed to clear a cross into the box. Nine minutes later Tooting were back on level terms when the returning Billy Dunn fired in a cracker from 25 yards out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In the second half chances were at a premium in the 53rd minute our fine young keeper Matte Pierson made a brave save to foil Bay striker Stuart Zanone as he was through on goal. Tooting then forced a series of corners and from one of them the ball broke to Kurtis Pykes whose effort was saved by the keeper.

Four minutes from time Jordan Wilson playing in midfield made a good run but the effort went wide. In the 93rd minute Herne Bay substitute Sam Hallett broke free but Matte Pierson came to the rescue with a super sub. Summing up an end to end game with a hard earned point for both sides. It was good to see our injured striker Jake Baxter involved with the team he is a smashing lad and a credit to the club and everyone at Tooting & Mitcham wishes Jake a speedy recovery.

Tooting & Mitcham Utd : Matte Pierson, Sol Patterson-Bohner, Tenny Adebowale, Lee Hall, Antonio Simeone, Quincy Rowe, Jordan Wilson, Kurtis Pykes(Ollie Bennett), Danny Bassett, Billy Dunn(Mike Dixon), Taurean Roberts(Leon Lalor-Dell). Unused subs Athan Smith-Joseph, Kyle Merson.

Match report by Ian Bullock

Saturday 20th August 12015

 FA Cup - Preliminary Round

0-1

East Preston FC

HT

0-1

The Terrors F A Cup dreams ended for another season with a disappointing display against a good young East Preston side who defended superbly and were dangerous on the break. It all looked good for Tooting in the opening half –hour as they dominated the proceedings with Ollie Bennett shining in midfield.

Billy Dunn forcing a good save from the visitors keeper Chris Cook and Danny Bassett having a goal ruled out for offside after a Taurean Roberts free kick had been parried by the custodian. East Preston dangerman Jared Rance then fired just over and Billy Dunn was off target with a header. The game changed in the 38th minute when the Sussex side took the lead from the

penalty spot after the tricky Jared Rance was brought down just inside the box by Tenny Adebowale. Rance took the resultant spot-kick himself scoring easily.

Just before the interval Taurean Roberts tested the keeper who was equal to the task.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Five minutes into the second half the visitors should have doubled their advantage when a stray back pass landed at the feet of Dan Huet but United’s excellent young goalie Matte Pierson made a brilliant save to push the shot around the post. Tooting had a number of corners but every chance created was fired straight at keeper Cook. Jordan Wilson who had several promising

runs had a good strike saved by man of the match Chris Cook. Late in the tie Ashley Robinson was introduced and he was unlucky not to earn the Terrors a replay when the keeper produced another great stop from his fierce drive. It was a bitter pill to swallow going out of the F A Cup where there is money to be made but the team now needs to concentrate on putting a good run together in the league.

Tooting & Mitcham Utd : Matte Pierson, Sol Patterson-Bohner, Tenny Adebowale(Ashley Robinson), Lee Hall, Antonio Simeone, Athan Smith- Joseph, Jordan Wilson, Ollie Bennett, Danny Bassett(Mike Dixon), Billy Dunn(Matt Price), Taurean Roberts. Unused subs Bashiru Alimi, Leon Lalor-Dell, Cameron Karembo, Kyle Merson.

Match report by Ian Bullock

Saturday 27th August 12015

2-1

Wilson, Bsssett

HT

1-1

In an action packed game Tooting deservedly took the points and ended Dorking’s unbeaten run in the process. The visitors had the better of the early exchanges and Matte Pierson had to make a good stop to keep out a Jake Beecroft effort following a quickly taken free-kick. Tooting went close in the 14th minute when a Jordan Wilson shot was deflected just wide.

Midway through the half United went ahead when Billy Dunn played a good ball into the path of Jordan Wilson who did the rest. Two minutes later Ollie Bennett played in Taurean Roberts but he shot wide. Man of the match Ollie Bennett then let fly with a fierce drive which just went over and Danny Bassett forced a good save from Milan Stojsavljevic at his near post.

In first half stoppage time Wanderers were awarded a penalty when Matt Briggs was brought down in the box Tom Tolfrey who had a good game for the visitors coolly converting.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tooting started the second half well and the hard working Danny Bassett who was having his best game for the club fired in a superb drive from 25 yards after another assist from Billy Dunn. In the 55th minute Terrors excellent young keeper Matte Pierson made a brilliant save to deny Tom Tolfrey.

On the hour Tooting lost the services of the superb Tenny Adebowale with a serious looking knee injury we wish Tenny well. Leon Lalor-Dell came on to replace the full back and immediately began to cause havoc in the Dorking ranks and with almost his first touch rattled the visitors woodwork. As the match reached its latter stages the Terrors created chance after chance Michael Dixon who looked powerful when he came on forced a good save from the keeper and put another two efforts wide, Taurean Roberts also tested the keeper with a well struck volley.

In the 87 th minute Dorking were reduced to ten men when Ben Dyett was shown a second yellow. There were seven minutes of stoppage time but the Terrors safely negotiated it to move into the top three. Well done to the team and management for providing some excellent entertainment.

Tooting & Mitcham Utd : Matte Pierson, Cameron Karembo, Tenny Adebowale(Leon Lalor-Dell), Ashley Robinson, Antonio Simeone, Sol Patterson-Bohner, Jordan Wilson, Ollie Bennett, Danny Bassett, Billy Dunn(Mike Dixon), Taurean Roberts(Claudiu Hoban). Subs not used Lee Hall, Kyle Merson.

Match report by Ian Bullock