Falcons threw the kitchen sink at the Titans goal on Sunday but we found a goalkeeper in inspired form and a clinical edge from the visitors which we couldn't match as we succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
There were welcome returns to the squad for Stevie, Alex, Jimmy and Duncan, although Will and Paddy became the latest injury victims and missed out alongside long-term absentees Conal and Dean. Falcons started brightly but Titans made the breakthrough after 15 minutes. As the Falcons defence stepped up for offside against Josh, Kev burst through and scored. However, it didn't take long for us to draw level, Cal finishing after a super cross from the right by Olu was just too high for their goalkeeper to reach.
The first signs that it might not be our day came in a crucial 5 minute spell just after the half hour mark. A double-save prevented us from taking the lead when the goal was begging to be scored in, and moments later a whole series of ricochets fell kindly for Josh as he put Titans back in front at 2-1.
Half time was slightly strange as, considering we were losing, there wasn't an enormous of things to work on. We had conceded very few chances, the workrate was decent and our passing had gone reasonably well too. Therefore it was a case of not worrying about the scoreline, continuing to play football and hoping that we'd draw level and put some pressure on the Titans.
The second half was more of the same, with Falcons looking particularly threatening from set pieces while Titans were happy to defend deep and work very hard, hoping to catch us on the break and forcing some well-handled saves from Matt from long-range. Duncan seemed to be in a personal contest with the goalkeeper, forcing several saves from him, while Chris and John (on for Alex) both fired wide from close range. However, the game was effectively put to bed after 65 minutes as we switched off from a throw-in and Scott was allowed to finish unmarked to make it 3-1.
A series of further chances followed but it was clear this wasn't going to be a day of much luck in front of goal and it was very obvious that Saturday football has paid dividends for the opposition as their tenacity in midfield and defence was a step above what we've seen previously.
And so, a first home defeat in nearly a year means that the league title will very likely go to runaway leaders Charlton, who thumped the other Titans team 6-0. While it would be easy to get down on ourselves, the shortcomings today were relatively few. We have the chance to get back to winning ways as we take on Soho FC at Regents Park next week.
Squad: Matt, Kieran (Stevie 70), Pete, Andrew, Duncan, Jack, Alex (John 60), Jimmy, Olu, Cal, Chris Scorers: Cal (25)
Photo courtesy of the Titans!