Tadley take Bulls by the horn.
Tadley-Calleva bounced back from a disappointing week of cup exits with a win over the channel island team of Jersey Bulls, giving Tadders their first 3 points of the season.
With Atkinson not back to full fitness, and Bufton away, Tadley called on the services of Basingstoke Town youth goalkeeper Joel Halliday. Fragata and Sheldon Wright were also absent for Tadley.
The match started in the rain, and much like the previous two for Tadley, slow and on the back foot. This was prevalent to all 66 in attendance just minutes in when Lorne Bickley found himself through on goal, his shot was hard and low but matched excellently by Halliday who directed the ball out for a corner kick.
Jersey held much of the early possession but Tadley made the breakthrough against the run of play, just seven minutes in.
A corner on the far left corner of the pitch, looking out from the clubhouse, was drilled low towards the front post where the incoming Connor Thorne made an audacious effort to backheel the ball towards goal. The ball hit the inside of the post and founds its way into the back of the net & Tadley were in front.
Just minutes later, the home sides jubilance increased. A long ball into Jersey’s final third from Halliday put the away defense under immediate pressure which forced the mistake of Tobin. Alex Miller was able to capitalize on this mistake and unleash an effort from the edge of the 18-yard box which flew past the helpless Van Der Vliet and into the roof of the net.
Tadley had an early two goal advantage.
Jersey had to react, and they did. On the twenty minute mark a quick counter attack caught Tadley off guard with Bickley and Mulholland linking up through the heart of the defence. After a loose ball in the middle of the park, Mulholland managed to wriggle his way through the defence with the help of his teammate and found himself one on one with Halliday. He slotted the ball past the young goalkeeper and reduced the deficit to just one goal.
The action wasn’t to stop there however as from kick-off Tadley pushed forward with intent. A passage of play in the middle of the park saw the ball worked over to the left hand side and then back across the middle where it found Kieran Rodgers. He shifted the ball right to find an inch of space and let fly, his effort took a slight deflection but was always goal bound. It found the bottom corner and Tadley had immediately regained their two goal lead.
Half time – Tadley-Calleva 3-1 Jersey Bulls
Jersey hit back straight after the restart. A free kick over on the far right, about 30 yards from goal was put across the box to the far end, it was nodded back across the six yard box to Le Rougetel who found himself all alone infront of goal to tap the ball home. Jersey had come out with intent.
The away side kept pushing for an equaliser and just minutes after clawing a goal back, they may well have thought they had levelled. A fantastic chance in the Tadley 18 yard box fell to Lekimamati who’s shot rattled the post and fell away to safety, much to the relief of Tadley-Calleva.
Five minutes later however, Miller was back at it. A corner from the left was again put to the near post, this time in the air where it was met by the commanding head of Brad Neal. His powerful headed effort was saved but Alex Miller was in a great position for the rebound and rifled the ball home to give Tadley their fourth of the afternoon.
What followed was a very open half of football with both sides creating opportunities in front of goal.
The best coming for Jersey as Lorne Bickley flashed an effort across the goal, narrowly missing the inside of the post on the hour mark.
An outstanding double save from Halliday kept the Bulls at bay once more & Tadley held out for an impressive, clinical win in front of their home supporters, one in which all connected to the club feel was vital after two disappointing performances last time out.
Next up for Tadley is a home league fixture against Cobham on Saturday 2nd September.
Full time – Tadley-Calleva 4-2 Jersey Bulls
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