Hykeham Tigers provided a strong and spirited display after going a goal down early, to draw 1-1 with Woodhall Spa United. Another goal for James Coffey earned them the point.
The Tigers lined up with a unfamiliar formation to that of recent weeks with a 4-5-1 formation preferred to try and limit the threat of the Woodhall Spa midfield. Kris Nelson started in goal again after a fantastic display against Waddington. Newton, Sturton, McCusker and Wilson made up the back four. A Midfield of Coffey, Robertson, Marshall, Sievwright and Steadman, and Pete Dickinson up front completed the line up. Ash Murphy and an unfortunate James O’Callaghan were on the bench.
The Tigers started the game very slowly and were lucky not to be a goal down within a few minutes when a strike for the Woodhall striker narrowly missed the post. However, a few minutes they were in front. Too much time for the Woodhall centre midfielder allowed him to clip a ball over the head of Left Back Matt Wilson, and then the Woodhall Spa midfielder hit a superb volley which not many keepers in most leagues would have saved and Kris Nelsons efforts were in vain. Woodhall continued to press and forced the Tigers on the back foot, with lots of pressure on the back four. However, trouble for Tigers ensued after 20 minutes when Pete Dickinson went up for a header and suffered a nasty gash on his nose, stopping him from being able to see and therefore had to be substituted with James O’Callaghan moving on to the left wing and Coffey moving up front.
This changed the Tigers immediately and they began to look dangerous. James was taking on the full back of Spa with relative ease and getting in his head in the process. With fifteen minutes left of the first half, Cam Robertson played a delightful through ball through to an onrushing Coffey who slid the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1 before half time. Tigers came close again with Sam Newton having a header saved off the line by the Woodhall Defender. Finally , more drama at the end of the half with Matt Wilson receiving a cowardly elbow to the face which resulted in a yellow card for the Woodhall winger and for Matt Wilson’s retaliation, a yellow card too. Half time 1-1.
The second half was a very even affair with both teams creating little chances and not much action occurring. During the second half, Matt Wilson and Rob McCusker had to come off with Injuries and hopefully this won’t see them out for too long. Tigers came close several times to taking the lead, and so did Woodhall, however the game petered out into a 1-1 draw, which was a good draw considering the circumstances.
Man of the Match- Paul Sturton
Dick of The Day- Rob McCusker
Next Game: FVA Jerusalem Reserves (Away) 30th September 2012 10.45AM
