07.12.13 - Mens 1s vs Caradon (away)

Teign Finish the Year on a High

Teign men’s 1^st XI ended 2014 unbeaten and top of the table following a hard-fought 2-1 win away against Caradon.  

In what was anticipated to be a much less challenging fixture a well organised Caradon team delivered a first half performance that was in stark contrast to their league position, stunning Teign with the early goal from a short corner. Teign struggled to get any shape, possession or meaningful chances on goal, and but for a lengthy debate between the two umpires would have closed the half two goals down; Caradon’s second eventually disallowed for a high stick, although the decision was borderline and the home side rightly felt aggrieved.

Teign regrouped at the interval and came out fighting, pressing Caradon high up the pitch and chasing down every loose ball. The tactical switch that moved eventual man of the match Nick Holliday from full back to centre midfield gave Teign much greater balance and presence in the midfield area, and it released George Burningham further forward, resulting in Teign’s equaliser ten minutes in to the second half. With the wind in their sails Teign dominated the final twenty minutes of the match and their energy and determination was personified by the winning goal scored by Ben Ayres; controlling a sixteen yard hit out from close range and slotting it under the advancing keeper. Further chances to seal the game were missed but Caradon had little opportunity to create any chances of their own, even when Teign played five minutes with a man less due to a yellow card for Ayres.

The game finished 2-1 to the visitors who enter the Christmas break a point clear of Tavistock. The second half of the season kicks off on January 18^th with a trip to Cambourne SoM.