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Match Report

Tigers 3 v Caversham Trents 3

At the start of the season, when the Tigers had been placed in Division 1, this would have been their first match. Following the pre season league review, the Tigers were moved into Division 2 which was a better option for them at the time. However, the emergence of the current squad plus the addition of Joe, Sam and Toby has seen the Tigers competing in Division 1 with the big boys.

Trents are known to produce good sides so this game was another difficult challenge that the Tigers would be facing. Rather than feature against his old club, Josh Jenkins was selected to captain the Lions side against local rivals Kestrels which saw him pick up the MOTM award. Anyway, back to the Tigers...

For this game it was the turn of Joe and Reiss to start as subs and it was interesting to see how the team shaped up during the first 10 minutes. The absence of these two defensive minded players saw the Tigers feature four strikers and two defenders. Trents were in a similar shape and the game was primarily played in the last third of each side rather than the middle. This certainly made for an entertaining match!

Despite the Tigers pressing for an early break through, it was Trents who opened the scoring. A well worked corner saw their player finish in the top left hand corner of Thomas' goal giving him no chance. A great finish!

Tigers battled back and at one nil down, had a penalty claim turned down. In these situations, the referee gives what he thinks is correct and he waved play on. To their credit, the Tigers players didn't complain and carried on with the match.

Another Tigers break saw Trents clear the ball away to their dangerous forward. Rather than run at the impressive Max and Toby, the Trents striker hit an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner putting his side two nil up. Another great finish!

At this time, the Tigers reintroduced Joe and Reiss for Jake and Callum. Sam moved up front. Sensing his chance to shine in this role, Sam rolled his sleeves up and along with the other Tigers players, brought themselves back into the match. A strong run and neat finish into the far corner gave his side some hope. Halftime 2-1 Trents. The second half saw Jake and Callum return in place of Cameron and Toby. With only the one goal deficit, the Bennett halftime team talk and the halftime oranges, the Tigers were up for this second half.

Starting from the back, Thomas was yelling good instructions to his players and his kicking and distribution were excellent. Max and now Reiss, were playing well and with Joe sitting just in front, the attacking trio of Jake, Sam and Callum had their chance to wander. And this they did.

Wave after wave of Tigers attack and the Trents midfield and defence stood firm. It looked as though only something magical would break this resolute team down. And so it turned out. A Tigers corner and Sam repeated the trick of the Trents player from the first half and smashed a great shot into the top left hand corner. 2-2 and now it was anybody's game.

With Cameron returning, the Tigers were attacking from all angles but again, the defensive quartet of Thomas, Max, Reiss and Joe were solid. The game became a nail biter with both teams pushing forward for the winner. With 3 minutes to go, Tigers thought they had got it. Sam burst forward again and with Cameron to his left, Jake to his right, he passed a through ball that showed great vision for one so young. Jake hit a good shot and the keeper made a good save although unable to hold the ball. In his attempt to clear it, the keeper kicked the ball against Jake and it skidded past him with the Tigers number 10 smashing it in to make sure. 3-2 with little time left. At this point, Bennett reintroduced Toby for the impressive Sam who received a standing ovation from the Tigers crowd.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the game wasn't over. Trents won a corner and their corners are taken very well indeed. A goal mouth scramble saw the Trents lad first to the lose ball to poke it home and give his side a deserved draw. Final score 3-3.

MOTM - Reiss Smith

Goals Sam (2), Jake

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