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Viper Reds Tame the Tigers…..
Whiteleas Tigers provided a tough test for the Viper Reds who were looking to continue their recent good form on what was another sunny Saturday morning at Monkton Stadium. Early exchanges between the two teams were fairly even but it was the Viper Reds’ defensive steel and excellent finishing that proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Usually it’s the goals that get talked about after a victory like this and while some of the goals were indeed of the highest quality the result was crafted from an outstanding team performance with every player making massive contributions to the game.
Once again the goalkeeping and defensive work was assured with any number of timely tackles and clever clearances keeping the dangerous Tigers at bay. Likewise the midfield worked hard and in attack the team looked to turn their possession into goals with some excellent positive play.
The kick-off saw Alex in goal playing behind Taylor and Jordan who match by match are turning into a formidable defensive unit. The midfield saw Adam Wardle on the left, Harry in the middle and Jack on the right with Robert once again leading the attack.
Following an early attack from the Tigers who were playing in green and white hoops the Reds had a couple of shots with Jack forcing a save from the keeper and Harry putting the ball wide of the post during a keenly contested passage of play.
Indeed it was the Tigers who looked dangerous early on when a long ball through the middle created a good opportunity to attack. However the ever alert Jordan was on hand to clear the ball and remove the threat to the Vipers goal. And when it wasn’t Jordan who was clearing up at the back it was the impressive Taylor who covered and protected the Vipers goal. Sometimes the ball was defended with good tackles and at other times more desperate measures were called for as the fearless defenders threw themselves in front of goal bound shots from the Tigers.
Good work from both Jack and Adam Wardle in midfield saw the ball fall to Adam who shot just wide as the Reds looked to dominate the play. The side-netting was ruffled next as another Viper’s attack ended with a shot from Robert. Surely only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken as the shots flew in but were either just wide or too high to find the back of the net.
A throw in to the Vipers deep in the Tiger’s half and Adam Wardle passed to Harry who fed Robert in the box. A cool chipped shot was clipped just over the keeper and out of reach to nestle in the back of the net. 1-0 to the Vipers.
More good work by the defence and midfield allowed Robert to try an audacious long range shot from the half-way line but the ball was just off target as the ref blew for half-time.
The start of the second half saw a defensive change with the excellent Taylor being replaced by Lewis Ireland. And it didn’t take long for Lewis to make an impression as he slotted into the defence alongside Jordan.
One sign of a good defender is not just being able to tackle and clear the ball but to read the game and snuff out the danger before it happens. Several times the ball was played forward by the Tigers only for Lewis to appear, beat his opponent to the ball and clear upfield to set the Reds off on another attack. Fantastic play.
Good work on the left from Harry saw the Vipers winning a corner on the left. The ball fell to Jack in the area who clipped the ball with the outside of his right foot but was denied a goal by a good save from the keeper.
Whiteleas Tigers then clawed their way back in the match with a goal straight from a corner. A strong kick into the area somehow found its way through a crowded penalty area and cross the line. 1-1.
The Reds responded well to conceding a goal and immediately set about restoring the advantage with a strong run down the left side of midfield ending with a shot from Harry being blocked and falling to Robert just inside the Tiger’s half in a central midfield position. Setting his sights on goal, a powerful strike from Robert saw a fabulous long-range Beckhamesque effort hit the back of the net. Get in! 2-1
Lewis Keenan was then introduced in place of the excellent Adam Wardle who once again had a stormer in midfield. Lewis continued the Reds good work with some good passes and runs to maintain the pressure on the Tigers as the Viper Reds piled forward.
The occasional breakaways by the Tigers were well marshalled by Lewis and Jordan leaving Alex to clean-up when necessary and restart play with some good distribution from the goal kicks. A golden chance for the Tigers was smothered well by Alex who did well to turn the ball around his post and prevent a goal.
Another promising attack from the Reds saw the ball cleared outside the penalty area and again fall to Robert who shot on the turn and completed his hat-tick as the ball landed the right side of the post to make it 3-1.
Adam Elstob came on to replace Jack who had put in a great shift on the right of midfield. Adam Elstob got stuck in straight away with some good tackles and closing down the Tigers.
A clearance from Robert was well directed to the feet of Harry with his back to goal on the half-way line. A smart flick of the ball and quick turn past the oncoming defender allowed Harry to leave the defender in his wake and race into the penalty area before lashing in a powerful right-footed shot that gave the keeper no chance. 4-1
Shortly after the ball broke in midfield to Adam Elstob who did well to slip a pass down the line for Harry to run onto. Despite a tight angle Harry shot well to produce a cool finish and a brief Peter Crouch robot dance 5-1.
The refs whistle signalled the end of the match and another excellent all round team performance. No doubt the Tigers will feel hard done by with what turned out to be a good victory for the Reds but the wide margin was simply because every single player of the 10-man squad contributed well. A good test for the lads and a good win. Well done Viper Reds!
Final Score: 5-1
Gary’s Man of the Match: Jordan Smith
John’s Man of the Match: Adam Wardle
