After great results last week, both teams entered this match confident of a win. Looking at the Wokingham & Emmbrook line up, the regular match winners were present as well as their midfield battlers, defensive lynchpins and agile keeper. Saints lined up with their regular 9 now that Max has decided to take a break from football. (Max – we really hope to see you back soon!!)
Today Tom and Abhishek started as subs meaning the defensive trio of Adam, Joe and Ethan continued with Reiss coming into the starting line up, Sam moving up front and Jake and Cameron playing in midfield. Simon and Chris took on their regular roles of warm up duties with Simon still boasting an unbeaten record here.
Unlike last week, the lads looked more promising going forward but not as alert when defending. The game went like this:
Saints started the brighter of the two sides with some good play inside the W&E half. To their credit, W&E defended well but Saints had a number of attacks although no real shots to speak of. At the other end, the defence were getting more confident and starting to bring the ball forwards. Reiss and Ethan in particular were having great games and really looked to be enjoying their football.
Sadly a defensive lapse caught us out and W&E took the lead against the run of play. Josh finding himself free in front of goal hitting an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner. 1 – 0 to W&E but no panic amongst the Saints players.
To prove the point, Tigers scored what must currently rate as their best team goal to date. A W&E attack resulted in a goal kick for Saints. Joe passed it short to Ethan who in turn found Reiss. Bringing the ball forward, Reiss did a one two with Cameron and continued to speed down the wing. A neat little cross to Sam who executed a perfect flick with his foot at the near post and it was 1-1. End to end in seconds and a great goal.
Tigers continued to have the upper hand in this half with Jake coming close with his trusty left foot and Tom having a half chance. Halftime 1-1.
Now during the first half Reiss got caught but an accidental but late tackle. This pretty much ended his game as despite trying to play on, he was conscious of any tackles and thus the team lost a great attacking threat. With Abhi on the pitch now, the Tigers had a pacey midfield and some good tackles were won.
After about 5 minutes, Tom took a shot at goal through a crowded penalty area and a wicked deflection took the ball past the keeper. We never give own goals at this age so Tom gets the goal to add to his tally.
At this point I’d like to write that the Tigers regained their confidence and started to play some attractive football. They did a bit but not really at a level we know they can play at. In fact, a few mistakes let W&E regain possession more and soon Saints were on the back foot defending their lead. Every team expects to come under pressure during a game but Saints invited this on themselves with players not tracking back as they normally do. It was now that the team really needed Max to tidy up.
Anyway, eventually the W&E pressure told and with only Joe and Ethan defending, Saints conceding a deserved equaliser. Now W&E were flying and shot after shot came whizzing past Adam or at his goal. Fortunately, luck was with us on the day and the final whistle couldn’t come soon enough.
Well done to Wokingham & Emmbrook. You deserved the win at the end.
Saints – Glimpses of the ability and team work we all know you have but we need to start increasing through the gears to do well in this tough division.
Goals: Sam and Tom
MOTM: Ethan