Wow. 11 - 1! Simply outstanding. This was not a team of experienced players beating a team several divisions below them. It was a youth team with those grizzled veterans Jack Tolley 19 and captain Mark Derricott 20. This was high class entertainment for about 250 spectators. All credit to Tenbury managers Tim Wright and Chris Albert who just like Vincent Kompany play football the right way no matter what the situation. And to continue the Premiership comparison for the Bulls it was just like watching Manchester City.
The team harried and pressed from the start. Once they won possession they were always looking to be progressive. It seemed as if every player at some stage hit a long raking ball to set Tolley free on the wing. It’s a mark of how well the Bulls are playing that Jack is not getting that much game time. He was the outstanding player amongst many fine performances. Turbo charged pace beating men on the inside and outside, but most of all his final balls were alert, aware and awkward to defend.
You had to feel sorry for Clutterbuck trying to contain him. He did the right things, worked hard and was one of Tenbury’s better players, sometimes he knew what Tolley was going to do but just could not stop him.
If Paul Caddis is considering that he may need to bring in a muscular centre forward on loan in the second half of the season he does not need to sign some out of form, out of favour lower football league reserve. Bulls fans have been underwhelmed in recent seasons by some signings and in Teddy Mee they already have a man worth a go. He went nap. It’s not just that he scored goals, it’s the way he scored them. Drag backs, flicks, coolness. He looked like a natural finisher.
Let’s hope he’s getting some master classes from Andy Williams. Teddy’s filled out a little, able to ride a challenge and seemingly a little quicker, once he had broken the back line he was not getting caught. Intelligent movement, playing largely just the width of the penalty box. Mee is a very exciting prospect.
Derricott played the first half just in front of the centre backs wearing the 5 just like Beckenbauer. He played regally, like Der Kaiser. Frequently breaking up play, striding forward and pinging balls to the attack. Occasionally a little too adventurous but you would rather the killer ball was tried than a tame sideways ball. Mark was assured as right centre back in the second half. This game gave glimpses that he could be the heart of three centre backs or playing as a defensive midfielder. It looked like he had learned a lot from watching Paul Downing. A goal would have been nice, but his best effort a long range low shot was well saved by Ethan Fish.
The first goal came after fine play by Walby and Tolley down the left which was stopped by a foul just outside the box near the touch line. The dead ball nodded home by Powell through a crowd of players. Rose got down the right and passed to Mee for a simple finish. Then the best goal a team move passing from the back to free Walby on the left he got down level with the penalty area and played it across to Powell for his second. He shot first time, low, hard and clipping the post giving Fish no chance, perfect placement Kevin De Bruyne style.
Tolley on the rampage crossed for Mee’s simple second and the Bulls fourth. On the edge of half time Rose hit a super long shot for the fifth. Powell and Rose were trying all sorts of things and bossing the middle. Tenbury played their part still coming forward with Wood looking their most likely and Sterry made one very good save.
Walby had played a slightly different role, sometimes floating as a ten more as a left side inside forward and when he doubled up on the wing with Tolley the Bulls were almost unstoppable.His passing was crisp and at times demanding of good control. The thought occurred that he could perhaps develop into cover for Babos. Walby and Hughes were replaced by Rhodes and Mayo-Evans for the second half.
The weakest goal was from a corner from Rose hit deep. Tolley was the shortest man in the box and left unmarked to nod in easily. Then Tolley rampaged down the wing and crossed to Mee whose close control saw Fish on the floor and a side foot into the net. Tolley racing into the box for the umpteenth time was taken down and clinically converted the penalty.
Mee won a challenge and then his sweet feet saw him nurture the ball past the on rushing Fish and stroking the ball home.
Throughout the onslaught Tenbury kept trying to play football and to play out from the back. They won a free kick on the left about thirty yards out. Their best player on the night centre forward Wood took it and clipped it low just inside the post giving Sterry no chance. The Worcestershire men deserved some reward for their endeavour.
Powell had looked excellent and was replaced by Samuel. Some of the Tenbury team were tiring and Mee outmuscled and outpaced the backline, before tricking the keeper for another empty goal for his fifth.
For the eleventh it was that man Tolley again who lit up the game. Taking the ball on the left he beat his man and raced towards the touch line. He then cut in towards the goal line drawing defenders to cover the near post and without breaking stride and almost on a no look basis cut it back for Rose to side foot home.
Tenbury still tried to play. The full time whistle was blown as the keeper passed to the edge of the box and the ball was laid back as they kept on trying to play progressively. Great credit to the under 18 managers Marcin Jaworski and Zeke Vivian. They have taught their players so many good habits, pressing together, quick forward passing and above all a winning mindset. Even when comfortably ahead players lead by Derricott were demanding more of each other and more goals.
As Organic said it was the boys who were men, with an outstanding performance which promises much for the future.