Focus Ferrers Tigers U10 1 - 1 Braintree Town Blues
William Putt (29)
The Tigers kicked off the new season in the Blackwater Division against worthy opposition Braintree Town Blues. The game at Elmwood provided real value for money for all the spectators. Tigers soon realised that life in the top flight will be a very different one to what they have been used to. Every ball had to be battled for and mistakes could be costly.
The game started with both teams seeing their fair share of the ball but neither team could keep it on deck. Braintree settled first and got their game going with some excellent passing manoeuvres which saw the Tigers stretched at times. The Tigers experience though allowed them to remain strong and collected as they slowly grew into the game and became familiar with this level of football.
It was a full compliment of players today, keeper Lukas Darby put on a fine display showing his assertiveness on the bobbly ground. Tommy Unwin and Mitchell Dean started in defence with both boys battling and clearing every ball. Harry Blenkarn came into defence later in the game and soon found his confidence in this tight game. The midfield unit of Connor Unwin, William Putt, Josh Jones, Daniel Woolmer and Jake Miall all showed they were worthy of a place in the team. George Bass and Daniel Whitley played upfront, both showing their strengths and pace and gave the BTB's defenders a hard time.
After the half time team talk it was back to business. The Blues pressured the Tigers but it was the Tigers that broke the deadlock when Daniel Whitley made a run down the right flank, looped the ball over for William Putt to push home. Excellent play and the Tigers then got in the driving seat. A handful of chances came and went and were unlucky not to double their score. It was Braintree though who got the next goal with a well executed shot that Lukas had no chance of stopping. This made the Tigers really determined and they turned up the heat. Another couple of minutes and the score line could have been different/ Tommy Unwin was desperately unlucky not to get the winner at the death. The final whistle blew and the points were shared. Excellent refereeing today by Andrew Franklin who had some close calls to make.
Man of the Match: George 'battling' Bass. Dogged determination made him a handful for Braintree and deservedly MOTM.
Steve Richard and Mike
