MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE (Spring): Titan Tigers Black vs JR Spartans - 17th Feb 13 (Away)
Our third game of the Spring season saw us travelling to Hextable to face Titan Tigers Black on a slopping pitch. In the Autumn season we just beat this team after a very close game which ended 4-3, so I was expecting a close game again. Speaking with Ian (Titan Tigers Black manager) he did say he had some key players missing due to the half term break, but I wasn't taking anything for granted. The team was set up in the recent winning formation of 1-2-3-1, with Ben in goal, George & Kaci in defense, Finlay, Taran and Ugo in midfield and Callum up front.
The game started worryingly with our opponents having a break on the right hand side after 4 mins and drilling a shot into the side netting of Ben's goal. However as the game developed we started to settle into the game. After 8 mins Taran took a throw in to Callum on the left hand side, he passed the ball to Finlay who turned and placed a lovely pass back into Callum, who took a touch and struck the ball into the back of Titan Tigers goal (great build up to the goal guys). 4 minutes later we score our second, following a great pass from Ugo down the right, which split their defense and allowed Callum to race onto the ball and shoot low into the right hand corner of Titan Tigers goal (great through ball Ugo). Shortly after another great pass from Ugo sees Callum in again on goal but this time the Titans Tiger keepers just gets a foot to keep the ball from going in. With George, Kaci and Taran breaking up a number of Titan Tigers attacks there wasn't to much to trouble Ben in goal. On the odd occasion when they had a chance, such as corners we showed great defending and composure in clearing the ball away from our penalty box. With 16 minutes gone Calum revieves the ball from a throw in which puts in Ugo only for his shoot to go just wide of the Titan Tigers left hand post. After 20 minutes Ugo again crosses the ball from the right hand side into Callum who provide the final touch to make it three goals to Junior Reds Spartans. With the final minutes of the second half ticking away Callum again has a shoot from the edge of the bos only for his attempt to strike the post. Grerat first half performance by everyone.
Half Time Score: Titan Tigers Black - 0, Junior Reds Spartans - 3
We began the second half with Lovell on for Callum, William on for Ugo and Shemar on for Kaci. Titan Tigers changed their formation and with the slop of the pitch in their favour it looked like our goal could be under geater pressure. However the first chance of the half saw a lovely cross ball from George on the left put in Lovell who's shot just goes wide. With 3 minutes gone Titan Tigers get a low shoot on target which Ben calmly gathers up. Shortly after a clearance from Finlay puts through Lovell, but his attempt hits the post. 7 minutes into the second half a corner is put in Taran who fires at goal but his shot hits the side netting. Our fourth goal sees the Titan Tigers goalkeeper's goal kick, go straight to Lovell, who makes no mistake in carrying the ball in to the box and blasting the ball home (great finish Lovell). With only a quarter of the game left George asks to come off and Callum rejoins the action. With 20 minutes of the half gone, Titan Tigers Black get a penalty for hand ball, but Ben stands up strong and makes a great save to push the ball round his right hand post (brilliant save Ben). Several minutes following great defending by Shemar the ref awards a free kick on the left hand side very close to the byline. From the free kick the ball is crossed into the box to unfortunately deflect off of William. From the kick off, William makes a great run down the right and puts a great pass into Lovell, his shot is saved only to fall to Callum who strokes the ball home for his fourth and our fifth. With the last 2 minutes of the game Taran comes off and Ugo rejoins the game.
Full Time Score: Titan Tigers Black - 1, Junior Reds Spartans - 5
Managers Comment: Well guys another victory in the league, this gives us an unbeaten run of 4 games in cup and league games. What really impressed me and John, is that you are listening and taking in what we work on in training. The passing for some of todays goals was fantastic, you were controlling the ball and looking up. In defense we have only conceeded one goal in the last four games, another great achievement. This shows me how hard both the defense and midfield is working coupled with a terrific shot stopper in Ben. Remember it is as important to stop the opposition scoring as it is for us to get goals. If we keep a clean sheet we only need one goal to win.
Myself, John and all the supporters really enjoyed the game as I hope did the boys . It was brilliant to get a another win under our belt. Lets hope we can keep the momentum going.
Thanks goes to William for helping with the match card signatures and for assisting warming up Ben prior to the match.
Captain - Finlay
Man of the Match - Ugo
PS Happy Birthday to Finlay & William from the manager, players, and supporters.