U13 Clarets Vs Thurlby Tigers

U13 DRFC Clarets Vs U13 Thurlby Tigers, 22 Feb Kick off 12:00, Outgang Road

Team Sheet: Nat Manders Jones, Callum Cawthorn, Ewan McCracken, Sam Bell, Dan Malcolmson, James Russell, George Cushen, Harry Crunkhorn, Isaac Fleming. Subs: Joe Goldsmith, Matt Holland, Owen Jacobs

Result: Clarets 3 – 0 Thurlby.

The last time these two teams met was back in November, it was in blistery conditions and torrential rain, the Clarets not in their best state at that time with injuries managed a 1-3 away victory.

The Clarets fully aware of the threat Thurlby Tigers (Tigers) pose, especially as their intent was to avenge the loss suffered at the hand of the Clarets earlier in the season. The Clarets went into this game with some caution, the Clarets knew while the match stayed at 0-0 Tigers would become more confident, so the first goal was crucial for the Clarets.

The Clarets got the game underway and held possession well while the Tigers tried to close them down, the quick sharp passing of the Clarets soon began to make in- roads into the Tigers formation.

The first attack for the Clarets came from the centre of the park, Dan Malcolmson picking out Sam Bell on his left, Sam besting his player cut in and saw James Russell running towards the Tigers goal from the right, crossed the ball and James, the shot had beaten the Tigers keeper but was saved by the upright.

This did not dissuade the Clarets, from trying to get that first goal. The Clarets defence when bothered swept up any attack and moved to a high defence so not only could they support any attack but also keep the Tigers penned into their own area.

A break through did happen after sustained attack on the Tigers which by now should have seen the Clarets winning by at least 6 goals. The Clarets won a corner, taken by Sam Bell, Dan Maloclmson peeled off his player and attacked the ball, his strike went through a crowd of players before it reached the back of the net, goal 1-0 Clarets.

The flow of the game never changed for the remainder of the half and as the whistle blew the Clarets went into the break leading 1-0.

At the start of the second half Owen Jacobs went on for George Cushen, and Matt Holland for Isaac Fleming. The Clarets played a more patient game during the second half, and passed the ball around its defence in an attempt to draw out the Tigers so that it would create more space for the Clarets to attack.

That methodology paid off, the ball fell to Clarets striker Owen Jacobs, Owen by beating one player created himself some space which gave him a glimpse at goal, with no hesitation Owen struck the ball with power and precision from the left side of the goal, the ball flew low and hard just above the ground, beating the Tigers keeper the ball nestled itself in the corner of the goal. 2-0 Clarets.

Nat Manders Jones and the Clarets defence did see some action during the second half but were more than capable of dealing with anything the Tigers thrown at them.

As the game came to an end the Clarets sensed that they had another goal in them, they were right. It was James Russell who broke through the Tigers lines, to finish a great match performance with a well-deserved goal as he rifled a shot which left the Tigers keeper on the spot. Goal 3-0 Clarets.

Another good home performance and unfortunately the score-line didn’t really reflect the Clarets dominance and the Tigers blushes were saved on many occasions by the woodwork and the exceptional performance of their Goal Keeper.

Man of the Match: Nat Manders Jones & James Russell