Closer than it should have been, but another win

Team Sheet : Coby, EthanR, EthanT, Isaac, James, Lewis, Mason, Oliver, Rui, Stanley, Travis

Oliver, EthanR, EthanT, Travis, Lewis, James and Stanley got us under way on the nicest day of the year thus far.

The Tigers started quickly with a very early break, but the Iguanas were quick onto the danger, snuffing it out and breaking themselves to win a corner. The corner went too far, relieving pressure on the Tigers and allowing them a counter of their own, a pattern of play that would repeat throughout the first half.

Half way into the half, the Iguanas picked up the counter-attacking pace, EthanT flying down the left. A perfect pass found Lewis in space, who continued the pace towards the Tigers’ goal and placed a lovely finish into the back of the net.

The Iguanas didn’t let up, continuing to apply strong pressure on their opponents and using really good interplay to move the ball into the danger zone for the Tigers. They were unlucky not to score a couple more times in quick succession.

Travis was showing customary strength on the left wing, and a mass break into the Tigers’ area saw a lot of battling with the ball between the teams. The Tigers thought they’d cleared the danger, but Travis was on the edge of the box and with quick reactions matched Lewis’ early finish with a terrific shot.

Travis, EthanR, James and Stanley made way for Rui, Isaac, Mason and Coby.

The Tigers tried to break from their half, but EthanT was constantly alert to danger, and Mason was demonstrating great calmness with his passing, making sure the Iguanas kept possession and could use the ball to good effect. Both players hooked up from a nice drop kick from the Iguanas’ keeper and were unlucky not to convert.

Then the Tigers had a rare break, and pushed through the middle. Unable to make it further than the penalty area, they had a speculative shot. A seriously unlucky deflection saw Oliver sent the wrong way, and the Tigers clawing a goal back.

Isaac was also proving strong in defence, backing himself to hold the ball and take on attacking players. One move saw the ball passed quickly into the Tigers’ half, EthanT unleashing a rocket of a shot that was just saved, a further EthanT and Lewis combo also being saved and Coby battling and running at the Tigers’ players without fear.

The Tigers were lucky not to be much further behind at the half time whistle.

Half time.

Oliver, EthanR, James, Mason, Travis, Stanley and Lewis started the second half.

Mason was quickly into the action, blocking a nice shot from a rejuvenated Tigers.

Conversely, the Iguanas weren’t looking anywhere near as sharp in this half, not making tackles that were bread and butter in the first half, and nobody seeming to want the ball, which meant the breaks that were happening thick and fast in the first half, were few and far between.

Mason continued his strength in defence, keeping the Tigers at bay.

Then a free kick was awarded to the Tigers just outside the Iguanas’ area after an untidy challenge. The wall was well set, but unfortunately the Tigers too the free kick very well, clearing the wall and leaving Oliver little chance to save the shot.

Stanley and Mason made way for EthanT and Coby at the restart. But again, the Tigers were on top. Another quick break brought out a point blank save and quick reactions from Oliver.

Coby made a quick break on the right wing, ultimately forcing a series of corners for the Iguanas, but none could be converted, often going beyond the attacking players. Coby also then made a cracking tackle to break up a Tigers’ break.

Isaac and Rui then came on to give EthanR and James a break.

Still the Tigers continued to push, forcing another great save from Oliver from a fierce shot.

From the goal kick, Coby picked up on the ball and quickly found EthanT in the middle of the pitch. EthanT showed huge determination to run the ball down the centre of the park, dodging tackles as he went. He took a nice shot that was well saved, but the keeper could only deflect the ball out, and EthanT was straight onto it, slotting the ball home!

A goal against the run of play did not dampen the Tigers’ spirits. They broke from the restart, prompting some solid defensive work from Rui. And the Tigers were slightly unlucky to have one shot hit the post, Rui picking up the deflected ball.

The Iguanas managed one more break and a couple of corners, but Tigers pushed and pushed. Rui tracked back brilliantly to ensure we had good cover at the back, and Oliver was forced into more saves. A late scare with the ball bobbling around in the Iguanas’ area came to nothing and the Tigers couldn’t break the Iguanas down any more as the full-time whistle went (much to the relief of the Iguanas’ fans).

The first half of this game was as good as the Iguanas have played. Great passing, awareness, desire for the ball and a couple of lovely finishes. The team were unlucky not to be a lot further ahead at half-time, and the goal against was a fortunate deflection.

The second half was very different. The Tigers had undoubtedly upped their game, but the Iguanas sat back and allowed them space which had not been given in the first half.

The battling spirit returned in the last 10mins or so, and this proved enough to seal the win. On balance, deserved. But it was closer to slipping away than it should have been.

Iguana of the Match : Coby – settled into a new position quickly, and battled hard. Strong tackling and fast onto the ball.