13 Apr 2008 - RESULT - u13s march on

Thames Gateway  8-1 Thurrock Tigers

Another three points against Thurrock Tigers after an impressive team display at an April showery Lakeside.

Cole was a thorn in the Tigers defence and his excellent work up front was rewarded as he opened the scoring for us.  He added another, just desserts for his tricky footwork and ball control and Berry made it 3-0 before we were awarded a penalty which Beard crashed against the bar.  There were also chances for Baker, O’Connell, Williams and Maffia to name but a few.  In injury time Tigers snatched a goal against the run of play to make it 3-1 at half time.

In the second half Cole was unlucky not to add to his brace going close on several more occasions.  Berry scored a superb solo goal running the ball in from the half way line ghosting past players and taking his goal well, he then repeated the feat for his hat trick.  Williams saw off the attentions of two defenders before coolly shooting home.  O’Connell unleashed a ferocious free kick from 40 yards that skidded through the Tigers defence and past the Tigers keeper before Beard came back on to score (for his Mum) our eighth.  It was a convincing win.

At the back our defence of Seaman, Webster, Bodimeade and Chapman thwarted the Tigers attacks ensuring Hill and Maffia (second half) both had little to do between the sticks.

The midfield including Dibble, Wells and Dunsdon controlled the game well putting in an energetic display in often difficult and very muddy conditions.

A quality team performance topped by Berry who was named as man of the match for his work in midfield and his hat trick.

The 13’s march on!

Finally a big thank you to our stand in Ref Mr Chapman promoted from regular linesman and who went unnoticed in the first half, the sign of a great referee – the same could not be said for the (qualified?) Tigers referee (and linesman!) in the second half both could learn a lot from Mr Chapman’s excellent performance.

Also a big thank you to Steve Hill and Paul Keiller for their hard work on the soggy pitch beforehand which ensured the match went ahead.  Nice to see Hill actually doing a bit of work!