Sunday 30th September 2012 North Cave Tigers vs Driffield Pumas U9 Game 1: North Cave Tigers 1 – Driffield Pumas 2 The Pumas arrived at North Cave with a full squad and plenty of options for every position. Having played their opponents last season, the Pumas came expecting the same result; but the Tigers were much improved since their last meeting. It was the Tigers that were to dominate the whole of the first half. Straight from the kick off, a clever ball out to the running winger and the Pumas were under early pressure. The Tigers were unlucky not to take the lead on a few occasions; most of their shots on goal were driven wide of the posts, but on a couple of occasions the Pumas goalie Brooke Potter was called into action and made an important save to keep the Pumas in the game. With the Tigers goalie pretty much a spectator for the first half, it was very much against the play when Liam broke through the midfield, and with great vision found Josh Walker at the edge of the box. Walker didn’t need any prompting and he turned and ran the next few metres before slotting home the first goal of the day. With three changes made to the team, the Pumas started the second half a goal up, but knowing they were lucky not to be three or four down. George Magin took up a position on the wing and following some good interchanges between himself and Abi Howland; Magin found the ball at his feet and started what turned out to be a surging run, weaving in and out of midfielders and defenders towards the edge of the box, at which point his perfectly struck shot sailed into the back of the net. In complete contrast to the first half, it was Potter who remained a spectator for most of the play in the second as both Ty Pettinger and Ryan Langton were unlucky not to get on the score sheet following some constant periods of pressure in front of the Tigers goal. But it was the Tigers who were to have the last action of the game; a good solo run and a firm strike gave Potter no chance of making the save. Game 2: North Cave Tigers 1 – Driffield Pumas 3 After the ups and downs of the first game, the Pumas started the second game looking for more concentration and consistency; and it was Magin who was to show a real touch of class in the opening minutes. Taking the ball from the Pumas defence, he bobbed and weaved through four, maybe five, of the Tigers before his inch perfect pass found the feet of Liam, who himself was unlucky not to find the back of the net. With the Pumas taking every opportunity to surge forward; Elliot Rudd was earning his stripes on the wing and together with James Humble were making some important tackles and interceptions. One such tackle halted a Tigers attack and the subsequent ball through found Walker who was to net his second of the day with some good footwork of his own. The seconds ticked down on the first half with a Pumas corner which Magin swung in perfectly and Liam was ideally positioned on the back post to head it home. Another great headed goal from Liam. Having had an unusually quite game so far, the final half was to belong to Sam Young. Despite actually being in a defensive role; he made most of the plays over the next ten minutes; generally breaking down a Tigers attack and running the ball out and up the wing. One such occasion a perfectly weighted cross found Pettinger in the box and he tapped home what was a fairly easy finish for him. Young was to have his own shot on goal within minutes, again having halted a Tigers attack, Young dribbled the ball along and up the wing, stepped inside the last defender and struck a solid ball only to see his effort just wide of the post. Further shots on goal from Liam and Walker were saved by a good Tigers goalie who deserves some praise for keeping the Pumas at bay; but it was the Tigers themselves that chalked up the last score of the game with a well worked and practised move; leaving Potter wrong footed. Whilst the Pumas bagged all the points again this week, they were won over two tough games. Well done. Manager’s man of the match went to Sam Young.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:49:13 +0000