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Mens Team
Manager: Simon Judson
Long Eaton Sunday League Division 3
Link to league table (we are still known as Stapleford Town, but next season we'll be known by Toton Tigers)
http://full-time.thefa.com/ProcessPublicSelect.do?psSelectedSeason=626573&psSelectedDivision=5781575&psSelectedCompetition=0&psLeague=3466310
Toton Tigers 2-1 Ilkeston Town Athletic
Tigers fought hard for three valuable points against mid table Athletic. They went a goal down early on against the wind after the ball slipped through the defence allowing the striker to pass into the back of the net for the simplest of finishes. They could've easily been three or four goals down minutes later, but thanks to the poor finishing from the Athletic strikers, the deficit was kept at one.
With 30 minutes played, Tigers got the equaliser against the run of play. The ball was well worked out of defence by Towle in his new central defensive role. He played a through ball to Cox, who put the ball on a plate for Taylor to finish well into the bottom corner for his 8th of the season giving the keeper no chance. This gave Tigers hope, showing Athletic they were dangerous when they had the ball on the floor, having had no luck in the air against taller opponents.
Minutes later, Tigers went ahead with another well worked move again involving the on form Cox on the left side of midfield. He worked well down the left, looked to get a cross in, but instead cutting the ball back for Gubbins who fired the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area for his 12th of the season. With half time approaching, Tigers had to try to hold on against the wind, something they had struggled to do for the first half hour. They managed to hold on, defending well against corners and free kicks, although Athletic hit the bar from a free kick in almost the last kick of the first half.
The second half was rather quiet for the first ten to fifteen minutes. With Johnson struggling with injury in central midfield, he was swapped for Gubbins to play centre forward. With Athletic piling men forward for every goal kick, free kick and throw in, it gave Tigers the chance to get the vital third goal. Noteable chances for Reddish who blazed over from 16 yards, Taylor having his goal disallowed for hand ball, Cox's long range effort saved and another effort from Cox skimming off the outside of the post.
With Gubbins and Mulligan winning the majority of the aerial contests against Athletic's long ball, it made it easy to clear the lines and start counter attacks. Every single player had asked the referee how long was left, and time didn't seem to be ticking down at it's usual rate. Tigers managed to hold out until the end in a very scrappy performance, but their defensive performance in the second half may mean it was a deserved victory.
A special mention to Chilton who had been on hand to collect any ball in his box on a day where his handling was absolutely faultless. Also, to Towle who was booked for a foul but defended superbly from start to finish and kept his nerve in the dying moments. Another well done to Geary and Hallam who were back in familiar positions, they both let nothing past them in the second half. Cox's hard work and two assists, Taylor's work rate pressuring the opponents defensive line, Mulligan who was their to win every tackle in midfield and finally to Johnson who fought for every header and tackle despite his injuries.
Scorers
K. Gubbins - 15
Taylor - 11
Mulligan - 10
Mitchell - 9
Johnson - 7
Cox - 5
Reddish - 3
E. Gubbins - 2
Geary - 2
Judson - 1
Riles - 1
Butler - 1
Arnold - 1
Jacques - 1
Own Goal - 1
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