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Match Report

Woodley Saints Tigers 3 v Burghfield Reds 2

Had this game been scheduled for a month ago, then Tigers would have been favourites for a comfortable win. However, the Reds came into the game in good form and it could be argued were a stronger outfit than their club cousins the Blues.

With Taylor still away, the impressive Thomas went in goal, the semi fit Max and Mitch playing in defence, Reiss (Smitty), Sam (Streety) and Jake in midfield with captain Cameron playing as striker. Callum was nursing an injury so started as sub. An air of expectation was circulating amongst the Tigers supporters, all keen to see their team get last weeks performance out of their heads.

From the off, Tigers took the game by the scruff of the neck and pushed on for an early goal. Some good interplay by Cameron, Reiss, Sam and Jake so the odd chance come but the game came to life with a bit of team brilliance. Tigers won a throw on the left hand side and Smitty, noticing Cameron had lost his marker, launched a long throw down the line. Cameron jinked left, beat his man before looking up and calmly passing the ball across goal to Jake. Not one to miss chances like these, Jake stepped up and slotted the ball home and the crowd went wild. (Alright his mum cheered as she’s not normally looking when he scores!)

The confidence of an early goal saw Tigers introducing their tricks and skills. Max and Mitch were bringing the ball out of defence on surging runs, Streety showing silky skills, Jake, Cameron, Callum (when introduced) and Reiss all trying something new.

With the game progressing, a goal mouth scramble arose in the Reds box and the ball squirmed out to Smitty. Now most kids would step up and smash it back the way it came hoping it would find the net. Not our Smitty! He calmly slotted the ball between the defenders giving the unsighted keeper no chance. 2-0.

The third Tigers goal came from a corner I believe. Streety, reintroduced for the injured Jake, lobbed the keeper from the edge of a crowded penalty area for his third of the season. Halftime 3-0 Tigers.

The second half saw a cold Thomas take his place on pitch with Mitch picking up the keeper gloves. Now I don’t know what the Reds had in their halftime oranges but it certainly worked. From the kick off, they went at Tigers to get back an early goal and make a game of it. As ever, Max and Reiss at the back repelled a number of attacks but eventually the Reds found a way past Mitch. 3-1 game on.

Despite conceding the goal, the Tigers were going for more and were getting caught on the counter attack. Callum up front alone had a few chances but his marker did such a good job he was rarely involved in the game. Cameron, Jake, Thomas and Sam all probed the Reds defence to find the fourth that would kill the game off but the Reds had other ideas and netted a second to make the final minutes a real nail biter.

With both teams going for another goal, the crowd’s emotions were up and down like yoyos. Fortunately, the referee, sensing this, put the Tigers support out of their misery and blew the final whistle for a 3-2 victory to Tigers.

Credit must go to a very stubborn Reds team who never gave up and will surely do well for the remainder of the season.

MOTM - Max.

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