Hykeham Tigers won their first pre-season friendly with a resounding 7-3 win against AFC Golden Eagle in their annual Mid-June Exhibition Game.
The game was a chance for the Tigers to look at some prospective signings and give some players interested in joining the club a chance to see what the Tigers could offer them. Matt Wilson picked the side for the game, and went for a 4-3-3 formation with the following players picked;
GK- Sam Clucas
LB- Mark Plaskett
CB- Matt Wilson
CB- Daniel Daubney
RB- Sam Newton
DM- Kris Nelson
CM- Ally Duncan
CM- Josh Raby
RW- Andy Myers
LW- Craig Froggatt
ST- Paul Sturton
SUB- Mark Newton
SUB- Switch
SUB- Aaron Starbuck
SUB- Ashley Murphy
SUB- Nick Steadman
SUB- Callum Fatchett
SUB- Ashley Murphy
SUB- Nick Steadman
SUB- Callum Fatchett
Paul Sturton was put up front in his natural position after spending most of the last season at Centre Back. He has swapped positions with Daniel Daubney who moved back into Centre back to partner Matt Wilson at the heart of the defence. Trialist Josh Raby started in Centre Midfield, with stand in goalkeeper Sam Clucas helping the club out in Goal.
Tigers started the match well, and were controlling possession whilst also dealing with some fair pressure from Eagle. The back four had started well, and after 15 minutes the Tigers opened the lead. With a cutting through ball, Sturton broke one on one with ex Tigers keeper Chris Bennett and confidently looped the ball passed him to open the Tigers Season.
5 Minutes later, it was 2-0 , this time after a Corner and some head tennis in the area, Centre back Matt Wilson hit the ball on the turn and volley, and left Bennett rooted to his spot as the ball sailed into the far corner of the net. 2-0 and the Tigers looked very comfortable.
Goals followed in the first half from the head of a despairing Eagle centre back and Aaron Starbuck scoring with his first touch after coming on. The Tigers had raced into a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes, and looked good value for their lead. Kris Nelson had a superb first half, winning lots of headers in the centre of midfield. However, on the stroke of half time, Eagle striker span off Daubney and smashed a shot into the top corner and left Clucas stranded with no chance of saving it. 4-1 at Half time.
The second half was a much different affair, but still saw Tigers score three more. Changes kept happening, and the Tigers lost their flow in the game. However two goals from Callum Fatchett, and another Paul Sturton goal saw the Tigers hit Seven, but Two Goals more for the same Eagle striker saw him complete his hat trick and see a final score of 7-3 to the Tigers.
All in all, a impressive first performance against a side with some good young players in it who I feel will do well in Division Three next season.
Pre-Season training starts a week on Sunday, details on the site soon
