Salem AFC 1-4 Talbot Head

Walker 2, Tomkins.S, Mckinley

Holmes 7.67, Hahn 9, Ellison 7.67, Marlor 8.33, Tomkins.N 8, Finn 8, Hellon 7.67, Tomkins.S 8.33, Dearden.G 8.67, Pickup 8, Walker 8.33. Substitutes Mckinley 7.67, Parkinson 7

MOTM Hahn - Quality performance out of positon at RB. Never let anything past and linked up well with Finn down the right.

Duke of Wellington 2-1 Talbot Head

Massey

Holmes 7, Aldred 7, Ellison 7, Hahn 7, Tomkins.N 7.33, Stridgen 7, Massey 8, Dearden.G 7.67, Parkinson 7.33, Pickup 7, Walker 7. Substitutes Tomkin.S 7, Percival 7, Marlor 7.33

MOTM Tomkins.N – Marshalled the back four really well on the occasions when Duke actually attacked. Played one plum of a 60 yard pass with failed to be finished by the Talbot Head strike force.

Crown and Shuttle 0-4 Talbot Head

Percival, Tomkins.S, Mckinley, Ellison

Holmes 8, Tomkins.N 8, Ellison 8, Marlor 8, Hahn 8, Mckinley 8, Stridgen 8, Parkinson 8.67, Tomkins.S 8, Percival 8.33, Walker 8. Substitutes Dearden.G 7.33, Thomas 7, Hellon 7

It’s amazing what confidence can do. Three weeks ago Talbot Head were down on there luck and down at the bottom of the league, however a recent run of good form has got the tails up and they were confident they could get the result they wanted against Crown and Shuttle.

Team

Holmes
N.Tomkins
Hahn
Marlor                    
Ellison
Stridgen
S.Tomkins
Parkinson
McKinley
Percival
Walker

Subs

Hellon
G.Dearden
Thomas

Crown kicked off the game and it was immediately visible that there would be goals. Percival and Walker were terrorising Crowns defence from the word go, yet Tobes had some shaky moments at the back themselves, partly due to the fact people were adapting to new positions.
As the game settled in it was Talbot who were dominating the play, S.Tomkins and Parkinson were showing some nice touches yet it was centre half Marlor who had the key to unlock Crowns defence. His pin point passes set Walker away numerous times yet the normally prolific forward was wasteful in front of goal.
Tobes could smell a goal however and it was Percival who created the magic to produce it. He made a run down the left had side of the box, cut inside past a defender and curled a superb shot into the corner 0-1 Talbot.
That should of been the start of a avalanche, yet for all the huffing and puffing Tobes could not score. Crown’s centre forward was lively and he came close on a couple of occasions to show they were not out of the game.

S.Tomkins had been doing well in centre midfield and he was rewarded with a goal when his shot cum cross found itself in the back of the net. 0-2
McKinley And N.Tomkins were having a lot of joy down the right with the former hitting the bar and Tomkins stinging the keepers hands, the frustration though was there to see.
Half time was blown and Tobes walked in the happier of the two teams. Talbot’s managerial trio had there say and urged the boys to persist.

Start of the second half and Tobes started fast and it wasn’t long before it was 3. An N.Tomkins throw in deep in Crown’s half beat all the defenders and found McKinley in space to poke it home. 0-3.

 
G.Dearden, Hellon and Thomas all came on after the goal, yet Talbots resilience was unwavered. Stridgen, Walker and Mckinley departing.
Holmes even saved a penalty (that was softly given after two players challenged in the air for the ball) from Crown, a piece of excellence out of a generally quiet game for him, in part due to Marlor and Hahn being so solid in front of him.

Tobes continued to create, with Hahn and Thomas coming close. The fourth goal however came from an unlikely source, Ellison produced a fierce shot from the edge of the box that should of been saved yet it found it’s way into the bottom corner 0-4.

 
Talbot were comfy by now and although Crown had sporadic outbreaks it was Talbot who should of scored again. The final whistle was eventually blown and Tobes had produced a good win with a clean sheet to boot.

Man of the match

Parkinson- his usual strength is his composure and passing, yet he showed a full array of skills, his tackling in particular was spot on. A superb performance in the centre of the park.

Talbot Head 3-1 Broadway Celtic

Walker 2, Percival

Holmes 8, McKinley 7.33, McIntosh 7, Tomkins.N 8, Marlor 8, Thomas 7, Dearden.G 8, Tomkins.S 7.67, Percival 8.33, Walker 8. Substitutes, Parkinson 7, Hellon 7

Talbot had not had the best start to the season and after the disappointment of the Turks Head game, they looked to turn the table against Broadway Celtic. This game would not be easy as Broadway had played in the Premier Division last season so this would prove a tough test.

Tobes line up

Holmes
Mckinley
N.Tomkins
Marlor
McIntosh
Thomas
G.Dearden
S.Tomkins
Pickup
Percival
Walker

Subs

Hahn
Hellon
Parkinson

Talbot started the game brightly and took it to the opposition. They began creating chances with Walker’s pace causing trouble, yet they could not make the break through. Tobes looked a completely different team than of late and everyone fought for the ball and showed desire to do something with it. S.Tomkins and G.Dearden were dominating midfield but found it hard to play a killer ball through Celtics defence. Holmes had not had much to do but controlled his area from corners and free kicks and when he was called on, he produced the goods.

Talbots back unit was rarely troubled in the first half and it even allowed McIntosh to get in some good positions although playing full back.
Talbot continued to control the game and at times had Broadway pinned in there own half.

Eventually the breakthrough came. Walker carried the ball into the box from the right, it was a tight angle for the shot but he fired it in low and the power on the ball saw it squirm past the Celtic stopper. 1-0 Tobes. Talbot continued there good play and ended the half in front.

Some words of encouragement from the trio of managers was all that was needed during the break.

Tobes should of started the second half brightly but found themselves nervous and giving silly chances away. McKinley especially was finding himself under mounting pressure yet he coped well and helped ensure the back line remained in tack. Marlor and N.Tomkins had been solid all game and had to be, during a rocky period which could of undone all Tobes good work.

Despite the lax play, Tobes were still creating chances and got the second goal they were looking for. Walker once again got into the box and showed a calm head to find the back of the net. 2-0.

Instead of sit on the game Talbot looked for another goal and that’s where they came undone. A Talbot free kick was cleared and the ensuing disorganisation saw Tobes not marking properly at the other end and concede a header which put Broadway Celtic back in the game. 2-1.

Hellon and Parkinson came on to add something fresh and try and get the third goal to put the game to bed. Walker missed an excellent chance when N.Tomkins played him through after a great run yet Tobes would not be denied. They continued to press and were rewarded when Danny Percival got on the end of a cross and put the game out of sight. Broadway Celtic had all but given up by now and Talbot were happy to see the game out and claim three precious points.

Motm - Danny Percival, Excellent on his return to the squad. Worked tirelessly for the team and set one up as well as getting on the scoresheet himself.

Turks Head 2-2 Talbot Head

Thomas, McKinley

Holmes 7.67, Finn 7.33, Ellison 7.67, McKinley 7.67, Tomkins.N 7.33, Thomas 8, Massey 8, Dearden.G 8.33, Parkinson 8, Hellon 7, Walker 7.33. Substitutes, Tomkins.S 7, Pickup 7, Hahn 5

MOTM, Dearden.G, An accomplished display in centre midfield, battled well and should good composure when on the ball. Knocked it around nicely.

Talbot Head 1-3 Whitworth Wanderers

Walker

Holmes 8, Stridgen 6, Ellison 6.33, Hahn 6, Tomkins.N 6, Parkinson 6, Marlor 6, Mckinley 6.33, Massey 6.33, Dearden.G 6.33, Walker 6.33. Substitutes, McIntosh 6, Pickup 6, Thomas 6.

MOTM, Matt Holmes

Ley Inn 3-0 Talbot Head

 Holmes 7, Stridgen 8.33, Ellison 7, Marlor 8.67, Hahn 7.67, Brierley 7, Parkinson 7.67, Dearden.G 8, Tomkins.S 7.33, Pickup 7, Walker 7.

Substitutes, McIntosh 6.33, Thomas 6.67

MOTM, Jason Marlor  

Excellent throughout, a rock filling in at the back. Made some great challenges and communicated very well with the back four.

Talbot Head 0-2 Turks Head

Homles 8, Thomas 5.67, Ellison 7, Tomkins.N 7, Mckinley 7, Brierley 6.33, Hellon 5.67, Parkinson 7.33, Marlor 6.67, Tomkins.S 6.33, Walker 6.33. Substitutes, McIntosh 6.67, Pickup 6.33, Hahn 6.33.

MOTM Holmes.

Talbot Head hosted Turks Head on there opening day in Division one of the Rochdale Sunday league. With a fantastic pre-season under there belt Tobes were confident of getting off to a good start at Seedfield, a ground on which they were yet to lose.

Pre-season forgotten, Tobes started the game very sluggish, no talking or fluent passing led to a long ball game being played. Turks Head seemed rampant and more up for it in the early exchanges.

Although Turks were ontop there weren’t to many chances created until a Turks player unleashed from around 25 yards, Holmes up to superbly tip over the bar. Shortly afterwards the Turks number seven made the most of what was an awkward challenge in the Tobes box. Penalty Turks, despatched brilliantly by Andy Eastwood 0-1.

Things looked a little brighter for Tobes after the goal and for the last ten minutes they started moving the ball around much betting with some neat little passes. But it was too late to make an impact before the whistle.

Half time came, and Mark Dearden and Chris Stridgen tried to remind the players to play football. Dearden drilling it home that they knew what they were doing wrong, so put it right.

Talbot were much more positive in the second half, and started to pass the ball around instead of hitting it long at every opportunity. McIntosh got into the game coming onto the right hand side from the bench and Pickup joined Walker upfront making him less isolated.

For all of Talbots posession in the second half it was still perhaps Turks that looked most dangerous when they broke. Sensing this the management brought on Hahn into the heart of defense, moving Mckinley out to try and get hold of the game in midfield.

It seemed to work and Tobes pilled on the pressure with waves of attacks that seemed to be broken up by a solid Turks defense everytime. Walker hit the bar with a flicked header from an excellent Marlor corner, but that was as close as Tobes were to come on the day.

The inevitable finally happened as Turks again broke on the counter. The ball eventually found its way to Higgingbottom and he fired a shot passed a helpless Holmes, who had already made three brilliant second half stops to keep Tobes in it.

Final score 0-2. Talbot Head will know that this was simply not good enough, a shadow of the team that were brilliant in pre-season. It has to be put right, and quickly.

MOTM- Holmes, one outstanding stop in the first half, matched by three great stops in the second. Thwarted a couple of one on ones and his distribution was as good as ever.

Report by C. Stridgen

Talbot Head 2-1 Inter Alliance

Walker 2

MOTM Holmes

Holmes 9.33, Thomas 7, Ellison 8, Marlor 9, Tomkins.N 9, McIntosh 7.67, Hellon 7.67, Parkinson 7, Dearden.G 7, Pickup 7.33, Walker 8.67. Subs Brierley 7, Stridgen 7.67

Tobes were set to play Salem fc this week but the game was called off, so Talbot Head arranged to play Inter Alliance in a friendly. Alliance would prove Talbots toughest test yet having won a hat trick of trophies last year. With some familiar faces missing, S.Tomkins, Percival, McKinley and Hahn were absent, the odds didn’t look good.

As soon as the game kicked off Alliance looked comfortable on the ball. They sprayed it round and initially had Talbot chasing shadows, however Tobes back four were on top form and restricted Alliance to some poor long range efforts.

Although defending well, Tobes struggled to get out of there own half, losing possession shortly after having won it. Alliance continued to press and Holmes pulled off some good saves to keep Tobes in the game. Talbots attacks were sporadic but they began to make there way through, Walker and Hellon showing some good probing runs that almost caught Alliance out.

Alliance continued to have the loins share of the ball but couldn’t break down the excellent Marlor and Tomkins at centre half,while Thomas and Ellison kept the wings at bay.

Finally Tobes made a breakthrough. Neat work between McIntosh and Pickup let Walker through who showed a cool head to slot the ball in the net. 1-0 Talbot. Alliance changed personnel but still could not break Talbot down. 1-0 at half time.

After some words of encouragement from M.Dearden Talbot went out to start the second half.

They continued to defend stoutly with Parkinson marshalling in front of defence and Stridgen and McIntosh providing outlets for when he won the ball. Hellon began having more joy down the left wing and came close to extending Talbots lead.

Alliance huffed and puffed but it was Tobes who struck again.
Walker was played through by McIntosh from midfield and went one on one with the keeper, the stopper made a good block at first but the ball bounced back to Walker who slotted into an empty net. 2-0 Tobes.

Alliance looked to have a bit more verve after that goal and they pushed to get back in the game. Holmes once again made an excellent save and another shot rasped wide. In the end Talbot were unable to hold on and Alliance got there goal. A nice turn in the box gave the Alliance forward room to steer the ball in the corner past Holmes. 2-1.

Despite the late goal, Tobes continued to defend well and saw the game out for a great win.

MOTM- Holmes, made some superb saves to keep Talbot in the game and commanded his area brilliantly. 

Report by N.Tomkins

Talbot Head 4-1 Mark Twain Nomads

McIntosh, Percival, Hellon, Pickup

Holmes 8, McIntosh 8.33, Stridgen 7.67, Tomkins.N 7.67, Hahn 7.33, Finn 8, Hellon 7.67, Mckinley 7.67, Dearden.G 8, Tomkins.S 7.67, Pickup 7.67.

Subs, Percival 8, Parkinson 7.33

MOTM – McIntosh

Talbot Head FC were to face Mark Twain Nomads on there final friendly match before the season kicked off. Tobes were short on players due to injury, Marlor and Walker missed the game due to ankle injuries and Parkinson and Percival were substitutes.

Talbot started the game brightly, passing and moving around Nomads despite the change in personnel. G.Deardens tireless running was proving infectious and Tobes midfield looked hungry.

After some speculative efforts Talbot finally made a breakthrough when McIntosh unleashed a shot from long range which flew past Nomads stopper. 1-0 Talbot.

Tobes looked comfy but complacency began to set in and Talbot started over elaborating and causing themselves problems. Nomads could sense this and they took advantage, a mazy run by Nomads centre half saw him into the Talbot box and he slotted past Holmes. 1-1.
Tobes looked annoyed but were unable to do anything more before half time was called.

M.Dearden knew his players were better than this but he brought Percival on to sharpen the attacking threat and it proved perfect. Pickup found space down the right and crossed in a ball that Percival met cleanly to put Tobes in front again.

Talbot continued to play passing football and looked more settled now, Hellon down the left was linking up well with the strikers and S.Tomkins added bite in the tackle.

With Tobes looking more comfortable on came Parkinson who was nursing a knock and off came action man G.Dearden. Hahn was moved upfront and McKinley into defence from midfield.

It was Hahn who had a pivotal part in Talbots third goal. He held off Nomads centre half and allowed Pickup to run through and score Talbots third. Nomads created the odd chance and had a few free kicks but couldn’t create anything cast iron and it was Talbot who then went on to get the next goal. Hellon unleashed a fierce shot which the keeper couldn’t keep hold of and it found the net. 4-1. Nomads continued the look for another goal but were unable to capitalise. The game finished 4-1 and a good win for Talbot against old adversaries.

MOTM- McIntosh, A solid full debut capped with a stunning strike to get Tobes up and running. Looked comfortable and both right and left back.