The Panthers started much more strongly than in the round one encounter, with a once again reshuffled Tigers outfit taking an eternity to settle. Missing stalwart Dave Hardy following surgery, central defender Andrew Couch through illness and attacking spearhead Chris Ceccato through injury, a first team debut was given to 15-year-old James McBride, and veterans John Nash and Scott Fletcher came in to provide some experience. 

As the Tigers began to sort themselves out, chances started to come at both ends, but the Tigers really should have hit the front when firstly Dylan Nash and then Mitch Minors both missed with the goal gaping. 

A third gilt-edged opportunity went begging after Jack Yeates sent a great ball across the open goal only to see all the support runners closing on the near post and missing the ball. Then a poor piece of defensive positioning by the visitors allowed a dangerous ball into the penalty area by the home team, which missed everyone except the retreating Matt Scarff and rebounded off his knee towards his own goal. Curtis Jones dived on the loose ball, only to find that the referee had interpreted the deflection as a back pass, awarding the Palms an indirect free kick inches from the Tigers goal. The Panthers extracted full value and went into the sheds very happy at one nil up.

The second half was much better from the Tigers, with the Panthers mainly limited to playing on the counter, and just after 10 minutes in, the Tigers converted one of their many opportunities after some electric running of the ball by Jake Camilleri saw him pick out the reliable head of Yeates to level the score from close range. 

The Panthers were defending well though, and the game became a bit of a wrestle in the Panthers half, broken by occasional breakaway attacks by Lennon Fisher. One such attack late in the game seemed certain to end in another goal for the home side but Jones was sharply off his line to claim the ball from under the striker’s feet. The Tigers then powered towards the finish line with two great chances falling at the feet of the youngster McBride, the second seemingly destined for goal until a great save from the Palms keeper, touching the ball onto the post and away to safety with seconds left.

Then the final whistle blew with honours even, Pacific Palms Panthers 1, TFFC Tigers 1.

The result gives the Palms a great opportunity to finish second on the table, with the Tigers (Black) Minor Premiership now looking a formality. 

Next week both Tigers sides are at home, the Gold side against fellow contenders Lansdowne Lions, and the Black side against second from bottom Moorland. 

The Gold team will be smarting from what should be considered a shock 2-0 loss to Tinonee on Saturday, and will now be relying on a slip up from the Palms if they are to finish in second place. 

“In many ways the weekend’s results are unsurprising,” TFFC Coaching Director Jonathon Newman said.

“Training attendances have not been up to scratch in the last few weeks, and this plus unavailability of key players for various reasons has led to less than spectacular performances. We’ll be looking to rectify that over the last few rounds to ensure we finish strongly."