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Match Report

Tigers 2 Maidenhead B&G 4

Well, they say all good things must come to an end and this was the case as today was our last league match at U7! The rain stayed away and the day was good for football.

Coupled with the fact that it was Maurice Bennett (Jake's granddad and team sponsor) 60th birthday, the omens were looking good for the Tigers.

Unfortunately, the team took an early blow on Friday when influential captain, Cameron, was ruled out after failing a late fitness test. All was not lost though as apparently Cameron was conducting shuttle runs to the toilet so his fitness will be good when he returns!

A couple more problems to add to the woe, Callum was violently sick at home before the game but still turned out and Reiss was busy scoring 13 tries for his rugby side in an earlier tournament.

Never one to be downbeat (well, ok I'm a pessimist alright!), Lateef made his debut for the Tigers and Reiss (when he arrived) was wearing a fetching pair of blue socks to confuse the opposition who also played in blue. (Good plan Fiona!!)

So with 7 players, the Tigers fielded Callum in goal, Thomas and Max in defence, Jake, Joe and Sam in midfield and Lateef up front.

Whatever the Maidenhead manager said to his players before kick off certainly worked as they ran riot over a shell shocked Tigers side. Now here is the frustrating bit about kids football! We have some very good players in our side but in the first half, they lacked confidence and really weren't at the races. Tackles were too few and basically, we let Maidenhead boss the game. Don't get me wrong, they're a very good side and a standard that we should be aiming toward, but as a team, we should never let ourselves be out hustled by the opposition. We're fit, we're fast and we can compete with the best of them on our day.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the first half ended with Maidenhead banging in four goals with no reply and Callum complaining of a bad back from picking the ball out of his net. Halftime 0-4

During halftime, Bennett tried to lure Thomas back in goal but to no avail. Not wanting to push it, Max and Sam both volunteered with Max eventually getting the gloves. As it happened, the wind was against the Tigers in the second half so his long kicks would be needed. (Thomas is still our best keeper though!!!)

With Reiss now involved in the match, the second half started with Jake warming the bench and a quick reshuffle of the side. The halftime team talk involved lots of high fives, low fives, jeeing (sp?) up and the suggestion (taken from a helpful parent who will remain anonymous) that the Tigers should threaten to lick Maidenhead to death if they score again.

Well, whilst we have played better football this season, the commitment the boys showed was tremendous. They did me proud! Each player gave their all in the second half, making tackles, charging forward, smiling and winning the crowd over.

After 7-8 minutes, Jane confirmed that Callum had been ill in the morning which would explain why he looked green. (Clashes with the shirt colours!) Jake replaced Callum who immediately requested some sweets to get rid of the icky taste in his mouth. (Kids eh!)

With Jake on the pitch as well, the Tigers were playing high up in the Maidenhead half. The tactics were gung ho as we may as well have lost 56 nil as 4 nil but to get a goal would restore some pride.

For corners, throw ins etc, Bennett urged his team forward into the opposition half. The dangerous Maidenhead number 11 was far quieter in the second half and their defence was the more busy of the two sides.

Eventually a bit of Ruffle magic created the first goal. He cut inside from the left and with his right foot, hit a well placed shot back across the keeper and through a crowded penalty box to make it 4-1. Cue the Ruffle celebration!

Bouyed by this goal, the Tigers pushed on for a second. A number of attacks and some professional ‘playing for time' ensued as Maidenhead were under the cosh this half. Soon the pressure told and Jake bundled the ball over the line for the Tigers second. One more and the Tigers may just claw themselves back into it.

Sadly, the final whistle came too soon and the Tigers bravely went down 4-2.

Excuse the quote, but this really was a game of two halves!

Goals: Joe and Jake

MOTM: Joe

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