Match Preview

U13 Ligers entertain local rivals Teddington Athletic Wolves in a top of the table clash at Twickenham Academy. Wolves are two points behind Ligers, having dropped points in a surprising draw with Spencers Wood. Wolves face Marlow United, the only team to date who have beaten Ligers, in their last game of this term. Wolves lost to Pinewood Panthers who Ligers have beaten in league and cup this season. Wolves have not been as prolific as Ligers in front of goal but their defence has been more resolute. Consequently, a four goal swing to the visitors would not only knock Ligers off their top-spot, it would even the goal difference. Elsewhere, Marlow take on Whitegrove and Woodley United host Pinewood, so should Ligers slip up there could be three clubs in second place come the last game of December.

Wolves have done very well with a relatively small squad of 14 players, many of whom will be school colleagues of Ligers. On this occasion, Ligers can only call on 12 players in the match day squad, so Wolves start with an unexpected advantage.

Following on from the victory at Whitegrove last week, Ligers are without two of the goalscorers, Frazer and Gabriel, and the former misses his first game of the season. Hayden is again missing due to school rugby, as is James. Kevin, who played a major role in sorting out the defence last week, has injured himself at school on Friday, and Tommy has gone down with a chest cold overnite. Matt returns between the posts, which will no doubt be a relief to Joe and George PM, and Daniel returns from illness to bolster the defence, neatly filling the hole left by Kevin.

George will be looking to add to his 18 league goals while Matt will be hoping for a consecutive clean sheet. It’s a fixture panels’ dream to have these two teams playing the league’s penultimate fixture with so much at stake. Let’s hope the game lives up to its billing!