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Sat 16 Sep 2017 · Under 12 Division 4
HEARTS OF TEDDLOTHIAN TIGERS
Hearts Pumas U18's
0
2
U12 PUMAS ROAR STUNS TIGERS
Neil SINCLAIR16 Sep 2017 - 16:12
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Two goals in first half secure points in Hearts derby
The opening weekend of the U12's Div 4 season threw together a Hearts derby. Tigers entertained the Pumas, the "visitors" wearing their new shirts inside out and the Carlisle Park pitch looked green and luscious, framed by the new, dayglo green RESPECT barrier. In rare September sunshine, the Pumas started crisply, knocking the ball around and maintaining possession, whilst Tigers looked like they needed to remember how to play in formation rather than simply chase the ball. Nate and Ethan constantly looked as though they would terrorise the Tigers back line, so it was possibly only their over-enthusiasm that enabled Tigers to get a foothold in the game.
Toby was the first Tiger to get a grip of the game. His determination and awareness got him to a number of 50-50 balls ahead of the attackers and caught the Pumas' strikers wandering offside. Slowly, Frazer and John began to find their passing game and Tigers began to worry the Pumas' end.
The game oscillated from end to end and both George & Matt were called into action in their respective goals. But it was Pumas who took first blood after 10minutes. A lovely passing move, started just inside Pumas' half, sliced open the Tigers defence, for Ethan to bury a right-footed drive beyond Matt's despairing drive.
Tigers were unbowed, and began to apply real pressure. Hayden and George, backed up by Rufus B, were driving down Pumas right flank but were ultimately well marshalled by Caiden, Charlie and Rufus S. And it was Rufus who became provider as Pumas managed to get themselves into the Tigers half; on 22 minutes, Rufus strolled forward with the ball and, with his namesake and Toby standing off, lashed a right-footed drive from several yards outside Tigers box. The keeper was clearly unsighted by his overly deep defence and was far too late as the ball squeezed inside Tigers right hand upright.
The last 8 minutes of the half saw Tigers battling to claw themselves back into the game. With referee Joel Cumberbatch looking at his watch, George found Gabriel on the edge of Pumas' six yard box; Gabe dinked the ball over the on-rushing keeper only to see Charlie D head the ball clear from under the bar. Despite appeals that the ball had crossed the line, Joel waved play on and the half ended 0-2 to Pumas, although Tigers were very much in the mix.
The second half provided the crowd with 30 minutes of excellent football. Tigers began the half flooding Pumas' half and George and his defence were called upon time and again. But Tigers struggled maintain the pace and slowly the Pumas defence regained control and Tigers were shot shy from outside the box. Pumas had their own efforts on the Tigers goal, Nate, Charlie and Ethan showing a bit more fitness than the hard-working Joe, Rufus B and Sam. Ethan rattled the bar and was again pulled back as he and Nate strolled offside. We then enjoyed the extraordinary sight of Tigers keeper, Matt, charging upfield with the ball at his feet not once, but twice! He clearly realised that his tiring defenders no longer had the energy to do it but his slow amble back when the ball was lost could have been a recipe for disaster.
The half remained a stalemate and Pumas ran out victors, in no little part due to a "Man of the Match" performance from Charlie A.
It was an excellent first game of the season and both teams will improve from here. A word, too, for referee Joel Cumberbatch who showed an astute feel for the game and hugely added to the enjoyment for players and spectators alike.
Toby was the first Tiger to get a grip of the game. His determination and awareness got him to a number of 50-50 balls ahead of the attackers and caught the Pumas' strikers wandering offside. Slowly, Frazer and John began to find their passing game and Tigers began to worry the Pumas' end.
The game oscillated from end to end and both George & Matt were called into action in their respective goals. But it was Pumas who took first blood after 10minutes. A lovely passing move, started just inside Pumas' half, sliced open the Tigers defence, for Ethan to bury a right-footed drive beyond Matt's despairing drive.
Tigers were unbowed, and began to apply real pressure. Hayden and George, backed up by Rufus B, were driving down Pumas right flank but were ultimately well marshalled by Caiden, Charlie and Rufus S. And it was Rufus who became provider as Pumas managed to get themselves into the Tigers half; on 22 minutes, Rufus strolled forward with the ball and, with his namesake and Toby standing off, lashed a right-footed drive from several yards outside Tigers box. The keeper was clearly unsighted by his overly deep defence and was far too late as the ball squeezed inside Tigers right hand upright.
The last 8 minutes of the half saw Tigers battling to claw themselves back into the game. With referee Joel Cumberbatch looking at his watch, George found Gabriel on the edge of Pumas' six yard box; Gabe dinked the ball over the on-rushing keeper only to see Charlie D head the ball clear from under the bar. Despite appeals that the ball had crossed the line, Joel waved play on and the half ended 0-2 to Pumas, although Tigers were very much in the mix.
The second half provided the crowd with 30 minutes of excellent football. Tigers began the half flooding Pumas' half and George and his defence were called upon time and again. But Tigers struggled maintain the pace and slowly the Pumas defence regained control and Tigers were shot shy from outside the box. Pumas had their own efforts on the Tigers goal, Nate, Charlie and Ethan showing a bit more fitness than the hard-working Joe, Rufus B and Sam. Ethan rattled the bar and was again pulled back as he and Nate strolled offside. We then enjoyed the extraordinary sight of Tigers keeper, Matt, charging upfield with the ball at his feet not once, but twice! He clearly realised that his tiring defenders no longer had the energy to do it but his slow amble back when the ball was lost could have been a recipe for disaster.
The half remained a stalemate and Pumas ran out victors, in no little part due to a "Man of the Match" performance from Charlie A.
It was an excellent first game of the season and both teams will improve from here. A word, too, for referee Joel Cumberbatch who showed an astute feel for the game and hugely added to the enjoyment for players and spectators alike.
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