The Tigers had earned home ground advantage having defeated the Redbacks in the final round of the competition 1-0, so a tight struggle was expected.

The first half was exactly that, with both sides battling for the upper hand.

Both teams created a few scoring chances, but neither keeper was really tested.

The midfield saw some strong challenges, but the spirit of the game, as it was the week before, was excellent, with players regularly helping their opponents up off the ground and obviously enjoying the nature of the contest.

Just as it looked like the two teams would go to the break scoreless, the Redbacks’ elusive striker Rob Holland managed to find some space in the Tigers’ penalty area, and he put his side in front with a fine strike.

The Redbacks lifted going in to the break, and most observers would have agreed they looked likely winners at that point. 

However, the Tigers began the second half with renewed purpose, attacking the wide areas and looking to get behind the Redbacks who looked to have decided to sit deep and defend their lead. About 10 minutes into the half the Tigers drew level, with a long free kick from Troy Chipperfield nodded down by Jaidyn Kianou onto the boot of Jack Yeates, who made no mistake from close range.

Little more than another 10 minutes had passed when the Tigers found themselves in front.  

Joey Newman collected the ball around 15 metres inside his own half, looked up and saw the dangerous Jake Camilleri in some space centrally and inside the opposition half.

Newman’s pass bisected the Redbacks defence, which allowed Camilleri to get a head start towards goal.

He had to shrug off the attentions of two defenders, before rounding the keeper to finish well with his left foot.

From that point on the game opened up, and Yeates could have added another shortly after but he blazed over the bar.

As the minutes ticked away, the Tigers began to sit deeper and this invited the Redbacks on.

James McBride was forced to make two very good saves, parrying one blistering free kick over the crossbar and moving sharply to snuffle out a close range attempt.

Several late corners from the Redbacks unsettled the Tigers’ supporters, but the home side held firm, with the final score TFFC 2 Camden Haven Redbacks 1.

There were many standout performances from the Tigers. Zac Mooney had perhaps his best performance of the season so far, with fellow youngsters Bindon, Chipperfield, Newman and Kianou all putting in tremendous efforts.

A full report and photographs have been published on-line and Facebook.