On Friday night only 6 people had responded to the squad call to action and Bennett knew some of his team had been ill during the week. This would be touch and go whether he could put out a squad so Dylan from the Lions kindly accepted to join the Tigers for their game if needed. As it transpires (like the long words??), the regular 9 all made the match which was good to see.
Before the game started, the ref called the Tigers in to have a pre-match chat, check the studs (boots rather than dads on the side line) and remove any jewellery. Luckily this only applied to the players as the parents would have been there ages removing watches, chains, earrings and reputedly, a Prince Albert in Mike’s case. Lol
The referee check was the first piece of good fortune to hit the Tigers on the day. Had a drugs test been called then Joe would have failed as his pink eyeballs showed he was dosed up on Calpol!! Anyway, onto the game.
With Simon being away and Julius sleeping in, Chris took the usual warm up routine with Adam but Bennett took on the warm up duties for the outfield players. After making him look silly in keep ball, the Tigers allowed Bennett to win the ball back before collapsing in a heap. Hurry back please Simon and Maria, please set Julius alarm for earlier.
With the players in their pre-match team talk, Director of Football, Mike, was still absent. However, with seconds remaining before kick off, he appeared wearing dark glasses and looking worse for wear. Now a number of stories have been doing the rounds here so please select which you feel appropriate:
- he was involved in a punch up at the tiddly winks club after an opponent tiddlied his wink,
- his wife, a la Leslie Ash/Lee Chapman, smacked him in a moment of passion,
- his young grandson caught him with a round house kick whilst showing him karate,
- stepping in to save a young lady from verbal abuse, Mike took a pounding from, 2 no 3, no 15 cage fighters wearing drag
- he tripped over his laces and fell on concrete,
So, the match…
Tigers started with Adam in goal, Ethan, Joe, Reiss, Tom, Jake and Cameron. Sam and Abhishek started as sub. Tom and Cameron swapping roles with Cameron adding movement up front and Tom passing skills in the centre of the park.
The game started brightly for the Tigers and some good passing moves saw them hit the post twice and narrowly drag a shot wide of the goal. So it came as a surprise when Rangers broke away and their player took his goal very well to put them 1 up. Undeterred, Tigers came back at Rangers and soon Tom found the net to level the scores at 1-1. However, the half wasn’t over as Reiss struck a well controlled half volley against the bar with the talented Rangers keeper left stranded. Halftime 1-1.
The second half saw Sam and Abhishek join the game in place of Tom and Jake. Unlike the previous 3 matches, the Tigers kept their performance going into the second half with Sam striking a great goal from an acute angle. At this time, the Tigers were pushing for a third goal and perhaps their inexperience showed. Too busy trying to push on for another goal, the lads left their defensive duties behind and Rangers a too good not to capitalise in these situations. And so it happened when Rangers equalised to make the game 2-2.
Despite pushing on for a winner, the Tigers were unable to break down a stubborn and well organised Rangers defence who held on for a well deserved draw. All round comments were that the game was good to watch and Rangers manager Ian deserves credit for the way his team play good football. Well done Rangers. Tigers, next time we need to focus on defending our leads.
Goals: Tom, Sam
MOTM Tom