Following last week’s solid win over Port Saints, the Tigers were looking forward to reversing last season’s second round loss to Kempsey outfit MVR.
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The Rangers arrived at Tuncurry having had an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, notching their only win so far by forfeit, with Port United fielding ineligible players in their round one clash.
From the outset the visitors were under overwhelming pressure from the Tigers, who started as sharp as they have been all season.
Skipper for the day Jack Yeates, Matt Whight and Jake Camilleri were being well supplied with plenty of good quality ball, and if it weren’t for some heroics between the sticks from the Rangers’ keeper, the home side would have taken an early lead.
However as the chances came and went, the Tigers began to look more edgy in front of goal, and it began to look like it wouldn’t be the Tigers day.
It was with great relief for the home side then when Jake Camilleri blasted home a free kick from just outside the penalty area at 35 minutes in, giving the MVR keeper no chance.
Mark Mallia, Jaidyn Kianou and Codey Chick were starting to really dominate in the middle of the park, with Chick appearing to relish his move from central defence into the midfield.
His hard tackling, movement and distribution was exemplary, and set a solid platform for the Tigers all game.
The second half again saw the Tigers constantly pressing the Rangers’ defence, but with little reward, either through wayward finishing or great goalkeeping.
By midway through the half Rangers had been reduced to attacking on the counter only.
The Tigers’ central defence of Pete Goonan and Troy Chipperfield, after some difficult moments dealing with MVR’s Andrew Potter in the first half, looked more comfortable as the game wore on, well supported by Jake Bindon and Mick Youngberry.
Youngberry limped off injured which brought Zac Mooney into the fray, and he too excelled.
Goonan though was superb, again winning everything in the air, solid in the tackle and happy to create the extra man in attack when the opportunity arose.
Goonan’s fine run of form appears to be rubbing off on Troy Chipperfield, who pulled off some excellent tackles, winning the ball and distributing it well.
With around 13 minutes to play, Mitch Minors (on for the injured Camilleri), produced a great run and cross in from the right, which Whight volleyed on target but saw the keeper save well.
The rebound fell to Mooney, who drove his effort past the keeper but into the post.
The ball then rebounded behind the keeper to Yeates who finished with a simple tap in.
It looked like the Tigers would go on to record another clean sheet when with just a minute to go, Chipperfield was adjudged to have brought down Rangers' Daniel Saul, and the visitors duly converted the resultant penalty to see the game finish TFFC 2 MVR 1.
Codey Chick was a clear winner of the player’s player for the Tigers, and was singled out for praise by coach Jonathon Newman.
“Codey really controlled the game from midfield today, and that allowed us to play our football.
“He was outstanding.”
The Tigers now travel to Port FC, who are a much stronger prospect now than in pre-season.
“They’ve made a great signing in Troy Hearfield, a former A-League player.
“He will bring a lot of quality to their side, and we will need to make sure we plan for that.
“We’ve picked up a few injuries today too - Mark Mallia looked like he got hit by a bus in the second half, Yeates has picked up a knock and Camilleri has a slight strain.
“I’m hoping they’ll all be ok for Saturday.”
Reserve grade
The reserve’s encounter was always going to be close, with both sides sitting on the same points going into the match.
The Tigers couldn’t have had a worse start, when inside five minutes the Rangers took the lead with a blistering strike from midfield.
The Tigers midfielders had allowed too much space for their opposition, and were punished for it.
The Rangers almost doubled their lead shortly after from a similar position, and Clay Cooper in the Tigers goal was certainly the busier of the keepers in the first 30 minutes.
However the home side’s superior fitness began to show and the Tigers began to gain a foothold back into the match.
Jason Ward, returning from illness was a welcome addition in central midfield, and began to assert himself well.
This allowed the Tigers to relax enough to start moving the ball at better speed, further tiring out their opponents.
They drew level with a fine volley from Daniel Barry, and really should have finished their opponents off. However, they couldn’t apply the necessary finish to multiple chances, and a further two points went begging as the match finished TFFC 1 MVR 1. Dave Hardy was again a standout in central defence, Thomas Hallot played very well as did Jason Ward.