On the coldest day of the year, when standing still was only an option for the brave few spectators, the Tigers had to put a hard working shift in for two reasons. One, to keep warm and avoid freezing (temperature at pitch side was -5oC) and two, the squad was depleted today due to illness, other comittment and unexplained absence?
Our two consistent defenders were not available today, so the nine squad members had to be shuffled about in aid of the team, and boy, did they do themselves proud.
We started the match with Kai in goal, Mark and Arron in defence!, Ben, Bryan and Matt in the middle and Sam up front. Ben H wrapped up and kept warm on the bench, but not for long as everybody was required today against a strong Panthers team who had last week beaten the league leaders Alsager, so this was a stern test.
The first period saw a lot of action in the middle, with all players working hard under the freezing floodlights. Matthew and Bryan both had half chances with Bryan having a hard long shot just fizzing wide. All in all though, the first period ended with little to cheer other than the fact that the team worked well as a team, tracking back excellently to help our 'strange' defence of Arron and Mark, who had settled very well indeed.
0 - 0, and after the first break, Ben H came on for Matt to allow a small rest, Mark and Arron began superbly at the back, never missing a tackle or an opportunity to clear safely, in fact Kai was begining to get cold such was the strength of them pair.
Bryan was working tirelessly, getting up and down with Ben who played some neat passes with each other, allowing Bryan again to shoot just wide. Betley were now pressing and in the 19th minute, Bryan cleverly pulled away from the centre as Ben was taking a corner, a short ball in by Ben to Bryan saw another quick pass to Sam, who lobbed the ball up and the goalkeeper could just not get his fingers to it and the ball hit the net! 1 - 0 tigers!
Betley were playing well, Arron and Mark still outstanding, Ben H on the left was working so hard and Kai, concentrating and not missing any danger when called on.
The third period began, with Bryan exhausted and feeling slightly unwell, Matt replaced him on the right, imeadiately setting Sam up, who shot wide. Back at the other end it was Arron again, mopping up and stopping everything, Mark stood tall, so much so, that a direct cross hit him on the arm which stung badly, so Bryan came back on and played last man! everyone was doing their bit, in different positions.
Mark was ready to come back on, so Bryan moved to left to allow Ben H to rest, having worked his socks off, the game was closed out with no trauma and a really good deserved win for the nine outstanding players.
Arron shaded man of the match for an excellent game in a different position, but was assisted greatly by Mark, but everyone did themselves proud. It is so rewarding to see the effort and help they give each other, we said at the start of this season that these Tigers had got used to playing with each other, and today was a fine example of a squad of players, playing for each other.
thank you to the supporters who were suitably chilled, here's hoping the soup was nice when you got home!
Two league games to go, lets do it!!
regards, Lyndon
