Having already played evenly fought matches in the past, this game had the makings of a top encounter. Both sides went into the match unbeaten with some impressive results including 2-1 wins over reigning champions Westwood Wanderers.
Having met in the summer league with Trents edging a 2-1 win and then Tigers squeezing past them in the tournament semi final, 1-0 in extra time, it was anyone’s guess who would win this. Both sides possess some good balls players and both teams appear to be well coached as they like to play football rather than kick and run.
Tigers preparations for the game were dented when influential striker, Sam, was classed ineligible following a mum organised event. The ribbing Tim will receive at the next game. Lol However, the Tigers preparations took a further knock on match day morning as Jake was obviously carrying a cold but like Joe the week before, he wanted to be part of the game and help his team how he could. So the team lined up as follows, Adam, Ethan, Joe, Cameron, Tom in midfield with Reiss playing the free role and Jake starting up front. Abhishek, looking lively today, started on the bench. (Well, sidelines as we don’t really have a bench but you know what I mean! Every week you pick holes in my reports so next time you can write them. Hang on, if talking to yourself is the first sign of madness how about writing to yourself?)
Anyway, back to the game…
In recent seasons the Tigers have been renowned slow starters, often gifting their opposition a goal or two lead before deciding to start playing. Well, I’m not actually sure what has changed them this season but the opposite now applies. They start the game with zest and seem keen to play football. Even with Max missing through his long term injury, the confidence of having Adam, Ethan and Joe as a defensive trio gives the other lads a real platform to build on. I can honestly say the back three have been tremendous so far this season and when the remaining players up their game, we’ll have our Tigers back.
Knowing the Trents like to play football, Reiss was given licence to roam wherever he wanted and he did this to devastating effect. Cameron and Tom in the middle of the park were awesome and played some simple but delightful football and this proved the heartbeat of the side. Jake up front was unable to play a midfield running game today but his harassing of defenders and chasing down the ball proved very effective.
So, with a few minutes on the clock, Tom kept up his 100% record of at least one goal a game by smashing the ball into the top corner. A difficult bouncing ball was finished well and Tom deserves credit for his technique. 1-0 Tigers.
Next came a great tackle and pass by Cameron who released Tom down the wing. His cross found Jake unmarked in the middle and he neatly passed the ball past the keeper to give his side a 2-0 lead. The Tigers really were playing some great stuff that we know they’re capable of and not one person can be faulted for their efforts. The encouraging thing to see was that when we lost the ball, the lads knew how dangerous Trents were and they defended well in numbers, each player attacking the ball or tracking their man. Cameron, Joe and Ethan did especially well here.
With 11 minutes gone, Tigers again built up an attack and another cross into the box wasn’t cleared with Jake notching his second goal. The keeper was unlucky here as he got a touch on the ball but was unable to stop it crossing the line. After this goal, Jake was replaced by Abhishek playing in the unfamiliar striking position. The half continued with Tigers playing some good football and Trents always looking threatening on the break. Halftime 3-0.
At halftime Bennett swapped the tired looking Reiss with Jake to give the skills master a break. If he had had the confidence to shoot in the first half he could have had a hatrick by halftime.
The second half continue much like the first with Tigers playing some good football but positionally the lads were losing a bit of shape. At the back, Ethan and Joe wanted to score meaning Cameron had to drop back and cover. This wasn’t organised but Cameron reads the game really well and saw the potential danger. The half heard Bennett shouting more at his defenders for shape than any other player I would imagine.
With the game proving a good one to watch, Tigers again made one of their attacks pay off. A cross into the box found Abhishek who’s first touch took him away from goal. The obvious thing to do here was lay off the ball to the waiting Jake to rifle in a shot but on a sixpence, Abhi turned and thumped a left footed shot back past the keeper. Good goal and welcome to Tigers!!
With Tom now tiring in midfield, Reiss was reintroduced and Abhishek pushed into midfield to support Cameron. Unfortunately for Tigers they were unable to keep a clean sheet as the excellent Trents winger finally found a way through to hit a shot into the far corner. Good finish and well done.
After this the game continued to have good attacking and defensive football from both sides but neither could find the net although it was claimed that Cameron’s effort did cross the line. It wasn’t exactly Pedro Mendes for Spurs against Roy Carroll at Utd but apparently it was close. Never mind, the whistle went and the Tigers enjoyed a great result against a very good team. Well done lads.
Goals: Jake (2), Tom and Abhishek
MOTM: Reiss