A new kit, late summer sunshine, immaculate pitch and big expectation were not enough ingredients to inspire a win for the Tigers on opening day of the 2009-10 campaign. Collingham clearly hadn't read the script and they came away from Phoenix Park with an unlikely win.

Tigers were at full strength, with Tyler on debut and the hopes of the Orange and Black faithful were evident. The visitors were looking to improve further from last season and in the opening exchanges, it was they who settled the first. At least I think it was Collingham, but a clash of shirts found it difficult to follow the play, let alone actually know who was playing for what team. It wasn't until the 11th minute that first Tyler then Aaran saw their shots from distance sting their keeper's hands. Tigers looked quite nervous, and saw many passes either wayward or lacking in direction. And in the 18th minute, the inevitable happened, as Dom was totally deceived by a hopeful punt in his area, the ball spun and bounced over him and the striker had the easiest of tasks to walk it in.

This was a stunning blow, and nearly straightaway, Kaneo couldn't quite get enough on an effort following a corner and Danny's low drive after a good pass by Tyler was gathered well. But from the booming clearance - route one football at its purest - every defender left it for eachother, leaving Dom exposed and a simple lob over him doubled the lead.

Collingham were in raptures, Tigers in disarray, as the sucker punch was delivered to the pits of their stomachs. Thank goodness there was almost 50 minutes left to get something out of the game, but the first period petered out into a damp squib, as only JJ's goalbound shot was comfortably saved. So at half time, it was 0-2.

The next 35 minutes saw Collingham employ a 7 man defensive wall for Tigers to try and break down. They needed an early goal in the 2nd half, and 5 minutes in, this arrived. JJ floated a beautifully weighted free kick into the area and Tyler timed his run perfectly as his looping header nestled into the roof of the net. This was the beginning of the seige of Collingham Moor as time after time after time, Tigers pummelled, pounded and persevered to get something more than a mere consolation. First, Kaneo was through, only for his left footer to lack power, Tyler was denied by a smart save, Jake's turn and shot shaved the bar, Joe snatched his shot wide after a great ball by the increasingly influential Danny, Joe forced the keeper to push his drive past his left upright, Tyler hit the bar and Jake's header was wide.

Collingham's answer was to clear at all costs, but with a lone striker, the ball kept being returned with interest into their final quarter. With 6 minutes remaining, the nigh on almost incessant pressure finally told, as Tyler was brought down in the box for a stone wall penalty. After much deliberation and uncertainty, it was Gibbo who stepped up, after the ref placed the ball on the spot, and planted a low drive to the keeper's left, who guessed correctly, only to see the ball hit the bottom corner of the net for the equaliser. Less than 2 minutes later, Tigers were unlucky not to be awarded another penalty as the ball struck one of their defenders' arms, but neither official saw the incident and play continued.

And just as Tigers were going gung ho for the win, when a point will have been satisfactory - especially after the first half - and totally against the run of play, they neglected their defensive duties, or asleep at the sentry gates. A ball down the middle gave their lone striker time to control, compose and calmly slot the winner with virtually the last kick of the game. Despair for the home fans, delirium for the Collingham posse.

This season will be no walk over. If anything, teams will see Winthorpe and Coddington Tigers and raise their games to levels they have probably never played before. It is time to lick your wounds, and prepare for the physical and mental  challenges that lie ahead. You are a team who can do special things, it is time to step up to the plate and believe you can do it. And it starts with Farndon Colts this Saturday. Training will be very interesting this week, I think!