MATCH REPORT:
Tiger Athletic 5-3 New Russellers
First Half:
3-5-2 was ditched for the first time this season, and the first half is one that New Russellers may want to forget. The first 25 minutes produced an even showing, with New Russellers favouring the counter as opposed to Tiger Athletic's touch and go. But all of a sudden, 10 minutes of despair occurred. 3 goals were shipped in that time, which pretty much had the away side waving the white flag. 2 corners which weren't defended well and capitalised on by Tiger, as well as a goal inbetween either corner, with a lapse of concentration between the centre backs allowing for a simple lob over a charging Ben Cross who filled in for Grant who is to return for the first league match. Once the mad 10 minutes had finished, a soft penalty was given by the referee to Tiger, who allowed their captain and beast to step up, only to have it saved by Ben Cross. New Russellers then picked up some momentum but it wasn't enough to close the deficit. 3-0 at half time. It look a dire performance from all but the persistant Conor Boud, who seemed like the only person to turn up!
Second Half:
New Russellers needed to start off the better team, but caught half asleep at kick off, Tiger's winger threaded an immaculate ball to their striker who clipped it around second half goalkeeper Sam Risby, who couldn't do anything. 4-0, game over? Straight from the off, a throw in was won half way into the opposition half, and Tom Kerby stepped up to take one of his monster throw ins. It confused the Tiger centre back, who caught it on the wrong part of his head to loop it over their keeper, a true striker's finish, own goal! 4-1. Then the pressure was on from New Russellers, who had hit their stride, and all of a sudden, Dave Johnson picked the ball us, and managed to draw a controversial penalty which was heavily disputed by the home side. A while later, Ben Dos Santos kept his composure, and slotted the penalty exactly where he did against Woolwich Arsenal. 4-2! New Russellers knew the game was going their way, and attack after attack came, until Oliver Brown took it down the left from a pass into his path, got to the byline, and squared it across for Dave Johnson infront of goal, who instead of shooting laid it to Matthew Brittle to tap in from 6 yards out. The home side were furious, claiming offside, but the referee kept to his decision as the home linesman was still at the halfway line so his input was invalid. 4-3! It seemed like Arsenal vs Newcastle almost, until a break from Tiger led to a cross into the box, and an unchallenged Tom Kerby sliced his clearance into the path of the Tiger winger, who curled it with the outside of his foot into the far side and in. 5-3. After a few more chances for New Russellers, and what possibly should've been another penalty for the away side, the full time whistle blew.
NRAFC can take away positives only from their second half performance, but will also take away some minor injuries suffered by Tom Witherden, Conor Boud, and Ben Lovell. All in all however, the squad seem ready to take on Taverners on Sunday in the first league game!
