Solid TTC Narrowly Lose To League Fav's

<p>Going into our 1st league of 2017 it was a tough task against an unbeaten joker side. The numbers was low and with only 13 players to chose from the gaffer decided to change formation to 541 without the ball and 4141 with the ball. Housley was in goal a bk 5 of phil ian brunyee dosh and wayne, Salty n jake was on the wings with jonty n dukey the cm pair. Parkey led the line. Conlon and young sean donnelly made up the bench. As usual my right hand man little al also got changed to give us that extra option.&nbsp;<p>Joker set off well and was on the front foot but we had a very good shape and denied them any real chances in opening 10 mins. We grew into game and kept the ball well winning quite a few free kicks. Set pieces was going to be key but we didnt make the 1st few count and joker defended them well. &nbsp;Joker took the lead from a good curling shot round our defenders unsighting housley till it was too late for him to react to reach it. Joker had there tails up but the goal didnt have our heads drop and we kept our shape well and pressed joker very well. We was a little unlucky to go in at half time 1-0 down.<p>The message at half time was simple keep up the good work keep pressing keep frustrating them and we will get a chance or too.<p>We set off on the front foot and had all the opening 10 mins of the half with back to back corners and a free kick from badger that was heading for top corner only for there keeper to tip it round the post. &nbsp;Joker had a few good moments from silly free kicks we was giving away round our box but they failed to make it count. Going into the last 15 mins searching for the equaliser we gambled off came a defender as we changed to 352. We knew we was going to be open for counter and that proved the case whe there lad found himself through who smashed a shot on target but our keeper was equal to it and kept us in with a shout. Our big moment came when salty picked the ball up 25 yards out and smashed one to goal only for there keeper to sumhow get finger tips onto it and divert it onto the crossbar. &nbsp;<p>Overall it was a great team performance and we defo deserved a point out of the game. You know when there screaming take it into the corner all last 5 mins you had them very worried.&nbsp;<p>top performance but we need to carry that on against teams around us not just lift our game for the top teams.<p>