THE Tigers travelled to a very muddy Findlay Park in Port Macquarie to take on one of the competition’s form sides - the Port Saints on Saturday.

Reserve grade

WITH the first grade side missing five regular starting players, as well as another two who would usually feature in most games, there were a lot of changes to the Tigers reserves lineup as they took on a very big Port Saints side. 

The game was quite evenly matched throughout the first 20 minutes as the Tigers tried to settle in with their new lineup, featuring the return of Dave Hardy into central defence, and a first time start for Billy Newman who was partnered centrally with Jordan Fletcher. 

Just after the 20 minute mark a lightning fast counter attack by the Tigers saw Nick Chapman burst down the right, and square the ball to Jim Jenkins who finished beautifully with great technique. Chapman turned scorer shortly after on the end of another counter attack, sliding the ball past the keeper to double the Tigers lead before half time. 

The Tigers continued in dominant form in the second half with Chapman scoring again early on, this time the beneficiary of a keeper mistake. Substitutions saw the Tigers go through a rocky spell, conceding a goal and almost allowing the Saints a second, but once the ship was steadied resumed control and added a fourth through super sub Daniel Barry, who in all games has now scored four goals in less than a week. The Tigers ran out winners 4-1, and as a result once again sit atop the reserve grade table. Dave Hardy and Billy Newman shared the players player vote.

First grade

THE Tigers found the going very tough against a rampant Port Saints side who handled the appalling surface much better than the visitors. 

The first 15 minutes saw Port dominate possession, and then open the scoring through an own goal by the Tigers from a set piece, the ball skimming off Pete Goonan’s head and past a wrong footed James McBride. Almost from the kick off the Tigers were level, with a deep drive to Jaidyn Kianou from Joey Newman allowing the Tigers winger to beat his man and cross to Adam Christensen, who was promptly flattened from behind giving the referee a very easy penalty decision. Codey Chick buried the spot kick to make the score 1-1. 

The Tigers then almost hit the front after some more great play in behind the Saints defence saw the ball crossed to Brock Gutherson, who had his great shot spectacularly saved on the line by the Saints keeper. Another Tigers attack shortly after that saw them awarded another penalty, this time from a clear hand ball in the box. Christensen provided the finish this time and at 2-1 things looked great for the Tigers. However, as they relaxed collectively they were caught on the break by the Saints who equalised with a good finish at the back post. This seemed to deflate the Tigers, and then in a mad five minute period the Saints found themselves three goals in front, courtesy of some loose marking by the Tigers, accurate set piece delivery and full acceptance of all chances on offer by Saints striker Ibby Khodary. At 5-2 down at halftime the match appeared well beyond the Tigers, but to their credit they came out fighting and fashioned several good scoring opportunities throughout the first 30 minutes of the second half. 

As fatigue set in, and substitutions were made, loose back post marking again allowed the Saints two more goals late on to see the Tigers comprehensively beaten 7-2. 

“I couldn’t fault the effort or commitment from our guys today,” Tigers coach Jonathon Newman said, “but Saints took absolutely every chance that came their way, and were much better in possession than we were throughout the match. They were very accurate from their set pieces and crossing, and with us fielding an 11 that had never started a match together before it was never going to be easy.” 

The Tigers must now regroup quickly before the visit of the Taree Wildcats to Tuncurry next Saturday. 

“Both times we’ve played them this year it’s finished as a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes,” Newman said. 

“So I’m expecting a very close encounter, with a much improved performance from our players. We need to be better with our decision making and pass completion than we were on Saturday.” 

James McBride was the Tigers player’s player, with Codey Chick a standout as well