Predators Tame Tigers!!!

16 Apr 2013

Poppleton Tigers U15s	0
Pocklington Predators U15s	2

“Purrfect” Pock display downs big cats.

On Tuesday evening, Pock Predators arguably produced their performance of the season, to ensure that the prize from this “big-game hunt” was all theirs.

The stakes couldn’t have been much higher: the hosts knew that winning this fixture would practically guarantee them the league title, whereas the Predators knew that nothing short of victory was needed if they were to have any chance of being crowned champions.  For their part, the Tigers started the match having not lost all season; indeed they would have been boasting a 100% win record had it not been for a late Predators equaliser in a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture – their only point dropped all season.  But despite Poppleton’s rampant league form, the Preds had tasted victory against their hosts – a 2-1 win giving them passage to this year’s U15s York & District FA Cup Final.

The Predators started brightly and some intelligent play from the midfield duo of Ben Potter and Huw Jones forced the Poppleton defence to make a series of hurried clearances to prevent the Preds’ front two of George Pilkington and Danny Shaw from capitalising.  But despite the early promise, the first clear chance of the game fell to the Tigers on ten minutes, when a through-ball caught the Preds defence napping, and put the Tigers striker in on goal. However, to the visitor’s relief, his strike went just wide of the post.  An early let off, but it would mean nothing unless the Preds could take advantage of it - step forward Danny Shaw!

With 20 minutes on the clock, a punt down field by Pred’s keeper Sam Flinton was put knocked on to Danny, who attempted to put George Pilkington through with an audacious overhead kick.  However, the windy conditions hampered the flight of the ball and instead of finding its intended target, it allowed Danny to turn and receive his own pass on the edge of the area. The young striker still had plenty to do, but showed great composure to hit a powerful volley from 22 yards, giving the Tigers keeper no chance: 1-0.

The goal sparked the Tigers into action and their pressure forced Pock into conceding a series of corners. One of these caused panic in the Predators’ box, and from a half-clearance, the ball was collected by a Tigers player on the edge of the penalty area, whose turn and volley was only bettered by a brilliant save from Sam Flinton - flinging himself to the right to turn the ball around the post when it seemed destined for the top corner.

The next goal arrived on 25 minutes and despite the Tigers’ pressure, it fell to the visitors not the hosts. A Predators throw-in midway inside the Tigers half should have been dealt with, but Huw Jones showed great persistence to win what looked like a certain lost cause, giving George Pilkington the opportunity to shoot from 12 yards. George’s shot was “too hot” for the keeper, who spilled the ball from his gasp, and Danny Shaw showed a true striker’s instinct to pounce on the rebound and stab the ball home from 5 yards.  A great piece of determined play, ably rewarded.

Despite a few scares for the visitors, half-time arrived with them still two goals to the good.  But if the first half had been about the Predators attacking abilities, the second half would turn out to be all about their defensive merits.

The second half got underway with the Tigers goalkeeper facing into a low sun, but this advantage was not exploited until midway into the second half, when a corner from Pilkington caused panic in the Tigers defence and Ollie Hughes was desperately unlucky not to be able to force the ball over the line to make it 3-0.  That chance aside however, this was all about the defensive strengths of Pock: wave after wave of Tigers’ attacks were repelled, to the increasing frustration of their hosts.  The contribution of the Preds’ central pairing of Eric Hogan and Jamie Harvey was notable: Jamie winning almost everything from the Tigers’ aerial bombardment, whilst Eric was on hand in the traditional “sweeper” role, coolly dealing with anything that did threaten to find its way through. And behind this defensive line was ‘keeper Sam Flinton, who pulled off a great near-post save when the hosts finally got a glimpse of goal with 5 minutes to go.

The Pock defence held resolute for the five minutes of injury time and when the final whistle blew the players could finally enjoy the victory they had so richly deserved.  In the cold light of day it seems inevitable that the Tigers will win the league this season - they have a superior goal difference and three games in hand on Pock – but whatever happens, the Predators will have the satisfaction of knowing that they were unbeaten against the champions elect, blemishing their impressive league record in the process.

Leigh Hogan

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Category: Under 15 Boys

Tags: Junior BoysLeague MatchMatch ReportsPredatorsUnder 15sLeigh HoganSeason 2012/13