Friendly Match Wyrley Tigers v Ashmore Park Rangers
The Tigers took to the field against Rangers hoping to put the previous weekend behind them and they looked a different team with some decent passing and moving. The Tigers also did well to close down the opposition until a mix up at the back allowed an unmarked Rangers player to tap into a virtually empty net from 2 yards out. The second half saw much the same kind of play from both teams and with the clock running down the match looked destined to end as one nil to Rangers until a flash of brilliance doubled Ashmore’s tally. There was nothing any Tigers player could do such was the quality of the long range strike and the game finished two nil to Rangers, albeit against a more cohesive Tigers display.
Friendly Match Wyrley Tigers v Wyrley Panthers
The Tigers next match was a much anticipated derby against the Panthers and there was little expectation going into the game given the Tigers had lost by five, and more recently by two since the friendlies season began. However contrary to that expectation it was the Tigers that began on the front foot pressing the Panthers back into their own half. This was the theme for the majority of the first half and it looked like going unrewarded until the Tigers were awarded a penalty for handball. There was much deliberation amongst the players as to who was going to take it and understandably so as it was the Tigers first penalty of the season. Finally Joe Rodda stepped up and dragged his effort wide of the post, although there could have been no complaints had Tigers gone in ahead on the balance of play. The second half saw the Panthers grow into the game and the ball began to stick with their players with their defenders looking particularly comfortable bringing the ball forwards. In a game of very few chances it was no surprise that neither goalkeeper broke sweat as it ended in stalemate but it represented a major step forwards for the Tigers side in what was a highly entertaining goalless draw. Things certainly look bright for both Wyrley sides judged on each half of this game.
Man of the match went to Scott Grosvenor-Hayes.
A big well done goes to the squad on the day who consisted of
Kian Cox (c), Aran Poonian, Scott Grosvenor-Hayes, Lewis Hall, Armaan Sohi, Tom Sutton, Joe Rodda, Joe Timmins, Jak Biddle, Bradley Nutting and Cole Askey.