Tigers earn gritty win.

With only 12 players available today we started confidently but Arnold overpowered us in midfield for the first 10 minutes. We eventually got our heads together and started to pass to feet. With a bit of pace and some excellent work on the left by John Bentley, Will pounced on a loose ball to make it 1-0. We continued to pepper their box but couldn’t get the finishing touch. Arnold, to their credit, kept up the effort and managed to equalise with a well taken goal from the left edge of the box. John Bentleys new boots got plenty of use today, and looked dangerous every time he got the ball. Swifty and Tom at full backs gave their forwards little or no time and put in some strong tackles. Ryan and Kane mopped everything else that came our way. Skipper Alex found one of the loose balls in the box, and buried it for 2-1 at half time.

Second half started a bit messy, with balls going astray, but we had a determined look about us. Alex won a lot of ball in the middle and George picked up anything else that got loose. Arnold did manage to make it 2-2 with a lack of concentration in our box from our defence. This spurred us on even more. When an Arnold defender took man and ball in their penalty area, the Ref did not hesitate to award the penalty, which Will put away. Will again popped up to make it 4-2 a couple of minutes later and the game was ours.

For determination and effort this was probably our best performance of the season today. Just a bit more composure with the final ball would have seen us comfortable winners.

As for individuals, Swifty had his best game for us, George and Jake swapped roles a couple of times and showed lots of grit and effort. Tom was strong in everything that he did, Ryan again got stuck in where it hurts assisted by a confident Kane who looks every inch, a quality defender. Alex put in another consistent performance, Cameron showed plenty of pace and trickery and Olly, although had trouble with their very good centre back, played right midfield second half and put some good balls into the box. Sean in goal handled everything well with his new sticky gloves and his kicking from hand has found another 10 yards.

Lastly man of the match John. Tireless, determined,  and lots of effort and filled in at left back for the last 10 minutes for the team.

A Great attitude by all today.

Finally, a great big thank you to the newly crowned 40 year old Richard Lynham, who stood in to Ref for us today, as the Mansfield league again let us down. Richard reffed the game as he saw it, kept it running with a good use of the advantage law, and was not afraid to make the big decisions. Its a hard job to do. Thanks and well done Richard.

It was a pleasure to have Arnold as our visitors at Stapleford Lane. They are a good sporting side with forwards who are as good as any we have seen this season. I wish them well for the rest of the season. Not too well though as we have drawn them in the cup