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Newbury Forest 1-1 Tigers (aet)
Tigers win 4-3 on penalties

What can we say, it just wasn’t meant to be. The effort shown by the lads was fantastic. Everyone wanted this so badly but at the end of the day it came down to the lottery called penalties.

Conditions weren’t great for either side to play in; high winds, hard pitch and the occasional hail storm didn’t help for passing football. Both sides like to play football and it meant that the game couldn’t flow like we would have wanted. It ended up being very bip bop and scrappy and neither side could really get a foot in the game.

If it were a boxing match I think we would have won on points, we made more chances than them and they were probably more clear cut. However I would congratulate Tigers for sticking in there and making it a dog fight and coming out winners. If we were to lose to any side I don’t mind losing to a good side like that.

Now we are down to the league, we’ve got a top of the table clash against Manor Park, so we need to get straight back to winning ways and make sure we win the league.

Starting Line Up:

Now for the ratings

Graham “Newbury No1” Tritton GK
Was unlucky with the penalty that was given against him, however made up for it in the penalty shoot out. 7/10

Chris “Animal needs a hair cut” Wallbank RB
Got a deserved start and gave a good display, tired in the second half and had to come off. 7/10

Arnold “Coolio Looking” Djedje CB
Starting to get back to the good form he was showing at the star of the season. 7/10
                 
Nick “Chav boy is back” Marable CB
Worked hard all game, and pulled off some good interceptions. 7/10

Tom “Welsh Moaner” Starling LB
Found it a little difficult with the conditions but supported Jey well down the left. 7/10

John “10 minute wonder” Hassan DM
Injured very early on in the game and had to come off. n/a

Tom “The future” Gibbings AM
Was poor in the first half, but started to move the ball around like we know he can. Excellent during the second half and extra time.  7/10

John “Loves a Bar Maid” Galligan AM
Always neat and tidy when he plays; needs to start getting further forward so he can do even more damage. 7/10

Alfie “Skipper for the Day” Egembah WR
In and out of the game, found it difficult at times to get involved. 7/10

Jey “BIG TIME” Siva WL
Poor game by his standards didn’t look like the player we have seen all season. 7/10

Andy “Dream Team” Saunders CF
Took his goal really well, and ran his socks off, was unlucky with the pen. 7/10

Subs
Dave “Cut your Hair” De Rijk RB
Came on earlier than expected, but did a great job in the middle of the park and at full back. 7/10

Dave “The runner” Ademakinwa WR
Came on and gave it 100%, never stopped running, just needed to keep the ball a little better. 7/10

Luke “Mojo Monkey” Mardle AM
Had a good chance to win the game at the end of normal time, but hit it too well straight at the keeper. Always busy and looked to make things happen. 7/10

Goals
Andy Saunders

Assist
Jey Siva