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By Ryan.
Pacers got their 2013-2014 campaign underway with a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at TEFA.
Having done the double over Pacers last season, having made some good summer signings and, fresh from their open day victory, TEFA might have fancied a bit of a massacre against a Pacers side who had struggled in the relegation battle for the majority of the previous season. They may be forgiven for going in at half time with exactly the same sentiment too.
Pacers started the season with a record-breaking 14 players to choose from having had to relieve no fewer than 3 players from the math-day squad. Antonio – Continental keeper mark 3, made his debut between the sticks with a familiar back 4 of penalty-scoring machines Nashy and Ivo, Popo on the left, and Matt on the right. Ash and Alex started in the engine room whilst Nick worked the right flank and Sean worked the left. Up front, Chris played his welcome-back game with new-boy Dan up front. Martin, Kev and Ed making up the squad.
The talk before the game was about getting it down, plenty of talk, defending high up and getting some early challenges in. Unsurprisingly, none of the above really happened in the first 45 and Pacers were lucky to be in the game at half time. The work rate was fine and some good last minute tackles, clearances and solid goalkeeping meant that only a lapse in concentration and a neat finish from TEFA’s best player put TEFA in a winning position. TEFA were smelling blood and the half time whistle could not have come sooner. At the other end, Pacers had managed to get the ball in a few promising positions but the strikers were too-often isolated and, bar a decent effort from a free kick from Dan, Pacers had yet to threaten the TEFA goal.
Half time saw the introduction of veteran Kev (34) for the injured Ivo and a few minutes to count our lucky stars and put a plan together.
It was pretty much the same plan with the need for a higher defensive line, a few more “Kev style” tackles, and to get the ball into the feet of the strikers. This time Pacers took note. The second half was definitely Pacers’ half with some nice “through-the-back” challenges from Alex and “through-the shins” challenges from Kev setting the tone.
The defence pushed up allowing the midfield to close the gap and the pressure was too much for TEFA to handle as Pacers started to create chances. Kev went close with only a top-class save from the TEFA keeper denying him from Sean’s free-kick, whilst Nick tried a long range shot (or cross) which wasn’t too far away and then had the ball break to him with the keeper to beat which unfortunately didn’t happen.
The goal came from the pressure Pacers were asserting when one of the big lads screwed his clearance onto the chest of Sean who took it down nicely and calmly looped the ball over the keeper to equalise. Nice finish, Chav celebration.
The game was then fairly open with TEFA themselves squandering a couple of chances including a back-post sitter and a promising cut back to a man in acres of space both going wide but Pacers were pushing up, closing gaps and putting in some big challenges which meant that TEFA pressure was short and unsustainable and Pacers’ pressure looked the more promising.
Ed and Martin were introduced for Nick and Matt and played their part in ensuring a tight well-organised finish was maintained.
When the whistle went it was clear that both teams felt a draw was about right and although it was no five-star performance, Pacers will be buoyed by a good solid second half performance against a side that will undoubtedly be up there in May.
Whilst everyone played their part, Antonio was blinding between the sticks and deserves a mention whilst Alex dictated the middle of the park in the second half and old-timer Kev showed those of us who had forgotten just why he is a centre half.
Undoubtedly remembered for the physical challenge they represented last season, TEFA are our first opponents in the league in the 2013-14 season.
They finished last season a respectable 6th, winning 10, drawing just 2 and losing 10 suggesting an open style of play.
However two of those victories were earned both home and away against the pacer last season. The first of which in this corresponding fixture saw a man of the match performance from Ben Hanney in which the 3-0 down after 50 minutes, goals from Albi and a stonker from Alex led to a frenetic final 10. 3-2.
Last season’s home game coming on the last Sunday in April also ended 2-3 to Tefa, in which Jordan was the star man, with a goal, and nick also notching one.
In a spooky twist, with TEFA getting their league campaign underway last Sunday in division 3’s only fixture, overcame newboys Stockwell united away, also, 2-3.
So fresh of a victory against upper league opposition Bath Old Boys, the pacers will be looking to seek revenge on the Wandsworth based team.
A rejuvenated Pacers notched their first win of pre-season over second division Bath Old Boys (BOB) with a superb display at South Park.
The game was energetic from the off with Pacers on the back foot for the opening exchanges.
The familiar back four of Ben, Kev, Ivo & Matt in front of stand-in keeper Alex stood firm however, limiting BOB to a couple of speculative efforts from distance.
Soon, the midfield duo of Oli & Adequate Ash gradually got a hold of the game and Pacers began to threaten the BOB goal with a notable slice from Curtis which troubled the trees being the best early chance.
The breakthrough came from a throw in inside the Pacers half, as Matt lobbed it to four BOBsters who were standing around seemingly unprepared for what was to come.
It came in the form of a crunching tackle from Yoga Guru Hauser to win the ball back before getting to his feet, executing a perfect downward dog and spanking a terrific ball through to Dan just outside the area.
Dan feigned to shoot with his left and turned his man inside out before slotting past the keeper into the bottom right corner of the net.
A superb finish to match the delicious through ball. 1-0 Pacers, Ommmmmmm.
HT 1-0
A few changes at half time saw Adequate Ash move to centre back where, it has to be said, he dominated the second half and is now likely to remain for the season.
Also into the fold by this time was debutant John, playing in his Daz-white socks like he was out on the doorstep challenge or auditioning for Leeds United.
Whichever it was, those pearly whites picked up the ball in the middle of the park and dealt a delicious lazy lob to Dan on the left of the area to set up the Pacers second.
Dan’s shot was parried into the air this time but Sean, resplendent with 1920s quiff, charged in shouting ‘GET IN!!’ before realising he’d have to ruffle his, and a few opposition, feathers to get the job done.
He duly did, bundling ball and defender over the line, mostly using his face.
They all count, 2-0.
The third swiftly followed and was a thing of true beauty, although I can’t really remember what happened!
All you need to know is this: Dan is charging through on goal, the keeper is in no-man’s land, the ball sits up, Dan executes a superb lob from just outside the corner of the box and it’s effectively game over.
3-0, Sign Him On Sign Him On Sign Him On,Sign Him On Sign Him On Sign Him Ooon!
The Pacers wouldn’t be the Pacers without a bit of comedy, however, and it came in the form of slapstick duo Alex & Martin. A latter-day Laurel & Hardy, you might say.
Alex, struggling with his kicks and affecting a limp like Charlie Chaplin, decides he’ll throw the ball out to Martin and, being the conscientious keeper that he is, gives a shout of ‘MAN ON!’ before the ball has even left his hands!
Martin, inspired by his partner and muse, conjures up the spirit of Tommy Cooper and duly collapses onto the pitch clutching his chest, allowing a BOBster to nick the ball and slot home easily.
If you missed it, you’ll be able to catch the repeats on UK Gold every Boxing Day, right after The Morecambe & Wise show!
With just five minutes to go, the game fizzled out and the Pacers claimed a very good win with a superb performance against a very good team from a league above.
FT 3-1
Putney Pacers 