Tigers tamed with 1-1 draw
Tacklers came flying in and the referee had to show authority and control of the game. The first yellow card was issued to 11 Tigers FC's defender.
Malvern’s 11 Tigers FC had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the much-anticipated clash against Jeppe’s Abaquduli FC.
The two teams met at the Rhodes Park Sports Grounds on Saturday, September 20.
Abaquduli FC were first out of the starting blocks, spending time in the 11 Tigers FC half, searching for the opening goal. Retaining possession seemed to frustrate 11 Tigers FC’s players, who began playing a physical game.
Tacklers came flying in and the referee had to show authority and control of the game. The first yellow card was issued to 11 Tigers FC’s defender.
The caution seemed to work wonders as the game settled into a free-flowing passing game.
Abaquduli FC’s players seemed to find their rhythm, counter-attacking with the pace of their wingers.
The sustained pressure was rewarded when a cross found an Abaquduli FC striker unmarked. With all the time in the world, he trapped the ball and fired home to give Abaquduli FC the lead going into half time. In the second half, 11 Tigers FC was the more enterprising team, playing with more cohesion.
With 10 minutes left before the final whistle, the equaliser came from an 11 Tigers FC midfielder.
During a goal-mouth scramble, he managed to slot the ball home after some sloppy defending from Abaquduli FC.
From there, the idea of sharing the spoils seemed acceptable to both teams. The game ended with the scores level on 1-1.
