Looking for the positives

CHAMPIONS against pretenders to their crown promised much and did not disappoint. Six goals, chances aplenty, contentious decisions and high-quality finishing: Investec Colombians against Tigers had the lot.

And it was only their first coming-together this season. There will be plenty more to come in their remaining four collisions.

Typically, each camp saw enough to look back positively on its performance, though there were areas for improvement.

Tigers led but wasted chances to seal the match, Colombians fought back to go ahead 3-1 and look comfortable, but the dark blues snatched a point with a late rally.

'We lost concentration; we were up with 10 minutes left then a couple of mistakes let them back in,' said Ollie Goddard of Colombians.

'Up until then we were in control. We fell asleep and fair credit to Tigers they made us pay.'

Both teams paid the other the compliment of 'our strongest challengers this season', although Clubhouse Unwantables and Mosgrove's Yobbos will have plenty to say in the destination of the league trophy.

Goddard also started the mind games early.

'There was too much infighting between the Tigers players. If they can stop that, they'll be a great team. If not, then they will be their own worst enemies.

'And that was their third game, our first and we won't play as badly as that again.

'One point from a possible six will be disappointing for them,' said Goddard.

'We'd obviously have liked more, but there was much for us to take out of the weekend,' countered Andy Graham, Tigers' coach.

'The defeat hurt, but by the end of the second match we were looking like a proper team not just a collection of players.'

Sunday's was Tigers' second match of the weekend. On Saturday they had led 2-1 against Clubhouse Unwantables only to take their foot off the gas and slip to a 2-3 defeat.

A last-gasp short corner after time had elapsed just failed to provide a leveller.

'The problem on Saturday was that we played well for 45min. and looked like we were coasting. But we let Unwantables back in and there were a couple of defensive errors,' said Graham.

'When the defence and keeper have been so strong for so long, any mistake stands out much more.'

Unwantables' Andy Alford converted two short corner goals and Jordy Smith tucked away a solo goal on his reverse side.

Tigers paid for their profligacy that day. Some 14 short corners failed to produce a goal.

But against Colombians their very first paid off, Mark Babbe converting the rebound after the initial shot came back off keeper Kees Jager.

TJ Ozanne drag-flicked home from a Colombians short corner to level and then put his side ahead from the spot after Robilliard was adjudged to have pushed away a shot illegally.

Tristan Cairns hit the third and Colombians looked to have the points secured at 3-1 up.

'Colombians had a great spell when they should have put the game out of sight. Jason made some great saves, though, and kept us in it,' said Graham.

Barry Wallace pushed home another short corner rebound and then Simon Beck hammered in the third. Jager pulled off a fine stop as time ran out to keep it 3-3.

'It was very encouraging. I thought the Colombians match might have been a bit too soon for them, but they fought back to draw and finished on the up,' said Graham.

'There are some things to sort out. Part of the problem is that with so many good players in the squad, they all think that they can provide the best option. But with patience they will learn how each other plays and that will make them a much better team.

'When we redirect our passion, we will be hard to beat; Colombians are a strong side - it will be a good season.'

*Colombians Youth produced a heartening display against Mosgrove's Yobbos.

The newly-formed side, containing three 14-year-olds, battled and made Yobbos work for their goals.

'That was the first outing for the youth team and I'm confident we will beat someone this season,' said Goddard.