Match Preview

U12 Tigers experience a rare treat this Saturday, a friendly match against another Club! With the weekend originally left free for Cup matches, Tigers found themselves at a loose end owing to their penalty shoot-out exit at the hands of Charvil. Of the three games postponed before Christmas, two sides are still in the knock-out and Bracknell Cavaliers have successfully claimed a walkover as we were on holiday. So, Paul Fondie reached out to the Surrey Youth League and Whitton Wanderers have stepped into the breach.

It's obviously difficult to predict what we may be up against as none of Whitton's opponents are known to us. However, their squad of sixteen (read it and weep Wildcats!) is unbeaten in Surrey 2 since October and in that time has recorded home and away wins against NPL Neutrons. Those of you who know NPL will realise that this means Wanderers are usually a Sunday side, so hopefully Tigers can take advantage of the visitors maybe not having God on their side this week.

Indeed, Wanderers bring just twelve players to Carlisle Park but they do include leading scorer and wing back, Sajjan Bal, and captain and leading assists man Charlie Power who plays central midfield. Correspondingly, their goalkeeper Ellis Varlet-Mathon has been "man of the match" in over a quarter of their games, so it would appear that they have skillful and contributing players throughout the team. On average, Wanders score 2.9 goals per game and concede 2.7. Tigers, by way of comparison, score 1.6 and concede 3.4.

Tigers are without leading scorer and top fantasy pick Gabriel this weekend. Hayden is still in South Africa and Henry is again tied to school sport. Hopefully Eli will return to bolster Tigers' physicality and Rufus returns after missing last week's defeat at home to Ascot United. John continues as the only ever-present member of the match day squad.

It's a great chance to work on some kills and drills this Saturday and the uniquely late kick-off should mean that even the nightbirds have time to catch up on their sleep and load up with ReadyBrek.

See you on Saturday