Tigers Tamed
Loxwood Tigers were edged out in a thoroughly entertaining early morning encounter against Mayford Tigers. The match was tight for much of the first half, with both teams defending well. The best of the early chances fell to the home side, who found some joy with long, searching passes through the Magpies defence, only to shoot wide. Harry Hunter and Tom Pearce both found space on the wings and Hunter went closest to breaking the deadlock. Loxwood's goal was finally breached on 25 minutes after Mayford found space on the left, delivered a cross that the defence couldn't quite clear and swept home the loose ball. Buoyed by the goal, Loxwood did well to restrict Mayford and should really have gone in at half-time just 1 - 0 down. It would have been nothing less than the defensive efforts of Keegan Pafford, Josh Arnold, Mikey Arlett and Theo Rawlins deserved. But with seconds left on the clock, a poor goal kick ricocheted off the Mayford striker and, rather than clear the ball, a mix-up between defender and keeper and the ball was slotted into the back of the net. It was harsh on a spirited Loxwood side.
The Magpies came out in the second half with more purpose and fight. Louis Horsley found more time on the ball in the middle of the park and Loxwood began to stretch the Mayford defence. Hunter produced some wonderful skill to break into the box, beat a defender and looked set to tap the ball in, but for a brilliant last-ditch lunge by the Mayford keeper to sweep the ball clear. Then, against the run of play, Loxwood gifted Mayford a third. Not one, but two missed opportunities to clear the ball, and the Mayford striker was through on goal and found the bottom corner. Loxwood continued to battle and the game ran from end to end. The Magpies finally got on the scoresheet, and in emphatic style. Horsley fed Toby Chandler, who released Hunter on the left. Hunter held the ball up and weighted his pass perfectly into Horsley's path, who sent a blistering, curling strike round the keeper. Goal of the game.
Loxwood were on the front foot and at 3 - 1 looked like getting back into the match, but for some strong defending by the imposing Mayford centre-back. Pearce had a shot saved, Chandler went close and Pearce again unlucky not to get enough on a volley from a great cross. Mayford brought on skilful reinforcements and restored the initiative. Their fourth goal was very well worked. Beaten for pace down the Loxwood left, a fine cross into the box was met with a well placed strike. The stuffing was knocked from Loxwood, and four soon became five. But the Magpies are nothing if not resilient, and with a few minutes on the clock, Hunter scored with a well placed volley from a Horsley corner. Once again though, the defensive frailty showed, when another opportunity to clear the ball was not taken and Mayford Tigers pounced with the last kick of the game.
It was a scoreline that didn't really reflect the closeness of the match. Defensive errors cost us the game and the boys must learn that in addition to hard work and intensity, a willingness to put your foot through the ball, at times, is just as important as a mazy run and goal.
Team: Keegan Pafford, Josh Arnold, Mikey Arlett, Theo Rawlins, Tom Pearce, Louis Horsley, Harry Hunter, George Lillywhite, Toby Chandler
Goals: Louis Horsley, Harry Hunter
MOM: Theo Rawlins
The Magpies came out in the second half with more purpose and fight. Louis Horsley found more time on the ball in the middle of the park and Loxwood began to stretch the Mayford defence. Hunter produced some wonderful skill to break into the box, beat a defender and looked set to tap the ball in, but for a brilliant last-ditch lunge by the Mayford keeper to sweep the ball clear. Then, against the run of play, Loxwood gifted Mayford a third. Not one, but two missed opportunities to clear the ball, and the Mayford striker was through on goal and found the bottom corner. Loxwood continued to battle and the game ran from end to end. The Magpies finally got on the scoresheet, and in emphatic style. Horsley fed Toby Chandler, who released Hunter on the left. Hunter held the ball up and weighted his pass perfectly into Horsley's path, who sent a blistering, curling strike round the keeper. Goal of the game.
Loxwood were on the front foot and at 3 - 1 looked like getting back into the match, but for some strong defending by the imposing Mayford centre-back. Pearce had a shot saved, Chandler went close and Pearce again unlucky not to get enough on a volley from a great cross. Mayford brought on skilful reinforcements and restored the initiative. Their fourth goal was very well worked. Beaten for pace down the Loxwood left, a fine cross into the box was met with a well placed strike. The stuffing was knocked from Loxwood, and four soon became five. But the Magpies are nothing if not resilient, and with a few minutes on the clock, Hunter scored with a well placed volley from a Horsley corner. Once again though, the defensive frailty showed, when another opportunity to clear the ball was not taken and Mayford Tigers pounced with the last kick of the game.
It was a scoreline that didn't really reflect the closeness of the match. Defensive errors cost us the game and the boys must learn that in addition to hard work and intensity, a willingness to put your foot through the ball, at times, is just as important as a mazy run and goal.
Team: Keegan Pafford, Josh Arnold, Mikey Arlett, Theo Rawlins, Tom Pearce, Louis Horsley, Harry Hunter, George Lillywhite, Toby Chandler
Goals: Louis Horsley, Harry Hunter
MOM: Theo Rawlins
