Predators Maintain Title Challenge

08 Jan 2012

Poppleton Tigers U14s	1
Pocklington Predators U14s	4

 

The first game after the festive break saw the Predators away at Poppleton. Taming the Tigers was
never going to be easy with second place in Division 1 up for grabs.

It was a tense affair from the start. Tackles flew in from both sides and the ref knew he was going to
have his hands full. The Predators had early successes with Ed Borrie and Nathan Saltmer making full
use of the wide areas and being well supported by wing backs Stewart Wright and Mathew Terry.
Pocklington broke the deadlock early on when Eric Hogan played Robert Cooney in on the right; his
subsequent cross was met by Ollie Hughes who cleverly laid the ball off to Joe Aconley who rifled his
shot low into the corner. Licking their wounds the Tigers immediately retorted with one of their
trademark route one balls over the top which saw their striker through on the left and he managed
to equalise by squeezing it in from what seemed to be an impossible angle. The game hung in the
balance with the Tigers starting to show their teeth but the Predators defence remained strong with
Jamie Harvey and Harry Crusher dealing comfortably with everything that was thrown at them. Just
before half time a sharp break by Salty saw him brought down about 30yards out. Up stepped Joe,
who helped by the runs of Ollie, Ed and Jamie in the box, floated the ball into the top corner to
notch up his second. The score remained 2 – 1 until half time.

The second half saw a tired Poppleton starting to be run ragged by the Predators who were
beginning to take control of possession and territory. The third goal came when Robert broke swiftly
down the right and his measured cross was ingeniously dummied by Huw Jones allowing Joe Aconley
to bag his hattrick. The Tigers would not lie down and string of amazing saves by keeper Sam Flinton
kept them at bay. The game was then made safe with a superb individual effort by Robert which was
an exact replica of the goal scored by Poppleton. The final whistle blew with Predators earning a
well-deserved victory. Pocklington’s title challenge remains intact thanks to an excellent squad
performance.

Rob Jones

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Category: Under 14 Boys

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