Thackley Lightening vs Shipley Juniors U7 Tigers - 07/02/10

[web]

The Tigers were away to Thackley this week and ready to continue with their undefeated campaign.

Whilst the coaches brief the Tigers to go out there and enjoy every game, they have developed a tiger like hunger to win games - time and time again. Winning every game to date except one which was a draw the Tigers enjoy success as a team.

After yet another called off match last week - due to the frost this time, the Tigers needed to concentrate and make a strong start to the game.

The Thackley boys had been briefed to get to the ball first and right from the whistle the Tigers had to endure many strong tackles time after time. The Tigers stood tall and did not retaliate.

The game started steadily for the Tigers and all their team stuck well to the task in hand and to their positions.

Ethan mantained the goalkeepers jersey and as the game progressed had very little to do, with a strong defensive line infront of him.

After 10 minutes Jacob got a break up the right hand side of centre and struck the ball with such venom, it nearly broke the broken goalpost!

As another 5 minutes passed Jacob yet again put his foot to the pedal and left the Thackley defence and smashed his second. This sounds like a one man demolition of the opposition, however it is the strength and depth of the full team that allows greatness for the Tigers top scorer.

With a couple of minutes to go in the first half the Tigers started their attack from the back with Nathan and Finley passing quickly through to Ben and William Austin on the right wing. Jacob blasted the ball from 15 yards to the left of the goalpost and an ever determined Sam stabbed the ball in with control and accuracy. A true team goal of quality.

Half time soon came and it was 3-0 to the Tigers.

Ben Bairstow showed strength and character in his new role infront of the back two and stopped almost everything getting past himself and Benji. Benji has to be the strongest tackler in the team ! Alex gave a good account of himself as Captain and drove his troops on through the midfield.

William Austin has made the right wing his own position and made many searching runs up and down the flank to defend and then attack. William Kelly proved to be a real team assett with his searching passes and tackles on the left hand side of midfield.

During the break the Tigers were told to keep on their toes and to be ready for a wounded, yet determined Thackley offensive.

From the kick off the Tigers again stood tall and strong after aggressive tackling from Thackley. The Tigers had to ride the storm for 5 minutes, but Nathan showed his own strength and character by showing the Thackley strikers no way through. Finley continues to grow in his role as the anchor at the back and put pay to any likely breaks from the Thackley strikers and made searching balls for the strikers to chase. He and Nathan made tackles that Thackley just couldn't stand up to and pushed the offense back. Ben Bairstow became the playmaker.

With only 10 minutes to go Peter the coach moved Finley out of defence into a striking midfielder and the decision payed off with Finley bulldozing the ball over the goal line after the goalkeeper leaked the ball out of his hands. Benji bossed the midfield therafter with Ethan as a willing and strong runner.

With 5 minutes to go Finley struck another ball from 10 yards beating the keeper and Mattie poached it smartly over the line. Tigers 5- Thackley 0

Special mention goes to Jacob in the second half for making the biggest mud ball in goals after touching the ball just twice.

The tigers roar on again.