Torrisholme's start to the season

Seven games in and it looks like another hard season for Torrisholme FC. After major departures in preseason and the scrapping of the reserve team from the Football League, Torrisholme's squad looks rather different with a huge drop in numbers for players signing on. Currently sitting 12th with 2 points in Division 1 out of 14 teams, it looks worrying already.

It looked promising in the first game of the season against Grange as Torrisholme looked in cruise control for most of the game. Goals from Callum Crookes, Nick Dagger and a Rob O'Brien brace had looked to have given them the three points, but with the score at 4-2 and with ten minutes remaining, the curse of last season came back as Grange managed to draw level with 10 seconds left. The game ended 4-4 and the extra two points had somehow eluded Torrisholme.

Crushing defeats to Storey's Reserves and Marsh United Reserves followed as the top sides in the league showed their class by controlling the games in the middle of the park. Torrisholme battled hard through out each game but it was the curse of school boy errors frequently coming back to deny them. The second game against Storey's Reserves however, was much different. The introduction of Daniel Syson to the midfield, gave Torrisholme more heart and creativity. Unfortunately, a blatant penalty conceded by Crookes gave Storeys, a 2-1 victory.

Torrisholme then changed their formation to 3-4-3 for the next game away at College AFC but it still did not help Torrisholme play the way they did for most of the Grange game. It took them time to get a foot in the game but after falling 1-0 down from poorly defended corner, the midfield pairing of Daniel Syson and John Lee, took the game by the scruff of the neck and slowly started to dominate. Nick Dagger equalised with a tap-in but Torrisholme couldn't find the winner. Another point gained but another 2 points lost with College there for the taking.

As proved before, 2 more crushing defeats followed, against Bentham and Slyne. Bentham, my tip for the title, were in full control from the first whistle as Torrisholme couldn't handle their pace and swift passing. The game ended 4-1 but should have been a lot more.

Defensive errors have been a big issue all season and it looks like they will struggle to get rid of them as proved last season, meaning it could be another tough year for Torrisholme.