Straight from the kick-off, the Tigers attacked the Knights and caught them napping. A Tigers striker set off along the wing, looking up, he crossed the ball which drifted directly into the net, which caught out everyone. From the re-start, Holloway and Hooper combined to attack the Tigers goal, but their defence held strong and conceded the 1st corner of the match; this was quickly taken but cleared away from danger by the Tigers. A throw-in for the Knights, taken by Komboni released Powell, who passed to Holloway but his effort went just over the bar. The Tigers then found some space and a long ball over the top of the Knights defence saw a lone Tigers striker chasing the ball, but there was just a little too much pace on the ball, and this went harmlessly behind for a goal-kick. Blackbourn played the ball out of defence to Choularton, he passed to Powell, using good passing moves Courtnage and Holloway feed the ball up-field. Holloway rounded a defender and laid an excellent ball into Courtnage; without hesitation he fired the ball into the Tigers net, 1-1. This inspired the Tigers into attack, and a ball played through the middle of the Knights defence saw Tadd, the Knights keeper leap into action. He rushed out and dived at the advancing striker’s feet, gathering the ball safely. The Tigers then gathered momentum and quickly mounted another attack, crossing the ball into the danger zone. There appeared to be some confusion in the Knights defence but Greenaway stood firm, clearing the ball away, releasing Holloway and Powell. These 2 players worked their way up-field and a nice slick pass by Holloway allowed Powell to shoot towards goal. However, his shot hit the bar and rebounded back into play but the first to react were the Tigers defence, and another good opportunity to score was stopped. The Knights fought their way forward again, forcing the Tigers to concede a corner; this was taken by Holloway, passing short to Komboni, he skipped past a defender before passing back to Holloway, he in turn crossed the ball into the penalty area where Courtnage was waiting. Courtnage struck the ball well and with power, leaving the Tigers defence and keeper with no chance of stopping the Knights 2nd goal of the game. The Tigers then seemed to change gear, applying the pressure onto the Knights defence but Greenaway, Blackbourn and Komboni held their line and cleared this danger away. From a clearance Doel collected the ball and headed towards the Tigers goal, being forced into the corner and with nowhere to go, Doel passed back to Choularton, he in turn passed to Holloway, who, by using good individual skills, rounded a couple of defenders before scoring the Knights 3rd goal of the match.
As the 2nd half got underway, the Knights forced the play in the Tigers half of the pitch, making their defence concede a corner. Taken by Holloway, Doel rose into the air and headed the ball goal-ward, but unfortunately, the ball went wide. The Tigers then rallied forward, making Tadd save; he released the ball to Holloway who in turn sent Greenaway sprinting towards the Tigers goal but his effort was well saved by the Tigers keeper. As the half worn on the Tigers began to put pressure on the Knights, forcing Blackbourn to clear for a corner; as the corner came into the Knights area Tadd collect the ball, stopping this attack. A late challenge by a Tigers mid-field player gave the Knights a free kick within reach of their goal; taken by Komboni, Doel again tried his luck with a header, but this time the Tigers keeper was needed to stop him scoring. As the clock was ticking away the Tigers launched another attack, and by passing the ball quickly, gave an opening to one of their striker. He controlled the ball well and without hesitation slotted home his teams 2nd of the match; this seemed to spur on the Tigers, and attack followed attack, but Komboni, Blackbourn and Choularton stood firm. From one such attack the Tigers manage to hit the post, and the rebound was cleared by Powell. The Knights looked shaky but manage to pass the ball away from danger, forcing the Tigers to concede a throw-in deep in their own half. Greenaway took allowing Komboni to fire the ball towards the Tigers goal; Courtnage reacted quickly, taking the ball on the volley. This looked like it was going in but a Tigers defender bravely stood in the path of the ball, taking the full force on his chest; the power of the ball hurt the defender and the referee had to stop the game, so he could receive treatment. As the match was drawing to a close, the Knights rallied again with a shot by Powell narrowly missing and another shot by Courtnage being saved, even Komboni had a shot which hit the side netting. In the dying seconds Hooper went close to scoring, quickly followed by Powell and Doel, but it was not to be, and as the final whistle blew, both teams knew that they had been involved in a great match. The only decision left was who would be awarded man of the match; Greenaway was given the award, because of the way he played in defence and in support of the strikers, he showed a willingness to make himself available in all areas of the pitch and never failed to track back to carry out his defensive duties; an award well deserved.
