The Warriors started the game well, and for the first 5 to 10 minutes Culm Sampford struggled to get the ball out of their own half.
However a counter attack always looked possible, and the Tigers soon fired a warning shot when they hit the post from a quick break. Minutes later another break saw them score the first of their 7 goals.
Around this point in the game the Warriors’ defender George was injured and had to come off, eventually being taken to hospital on suspicion of a concussion.
The score was 4-0 to the Tigers at half time.
The Warriors started the second half brightly, and looked favourites to get the next goal; however it was not to be.
The game eventually finished 7-0, the final 3 goals all coming toward the end of the second half, when the Warriors were visibly tired.
Unfortunately the Warriors were struggling for players, and could only muster one substitute, who was exhausted early replacing the injured defender. This was in contrast to Culm Sampford, who brought 5, and made good use of the rolling substitutions throughout the 80 minute game.
That is to take nothing away from the Tigers though, who played very well and looked enthusiastic and bright throughout the whole game, which was played in good spirits, to both teams’ credit.
Congratulations to the Culm Sampford United Under 14 Tigers, and commiserations to our Warriors, who are currently lying third in the Exeter & District Under 14s Division 1, behind the Tigers in second.
On Saturday 27th February they played Sidmouth Raiders at their Newton Poppleford ground.
It was a difficult game which was settled by just one goal, coming half way through the second half.
Both teams came close to scoring on numerous occasions, with the Tigers even seeing one effort bouncing over off the bar; however the West Exe team eventually made their advantage count when Finley, playing as a forward, made a tackle on an attacking defender on the half way line, and quickly found himself one-on-one with the Raiders’ goalie. The remaining minutes saw neither goalie seriously troubled as both teams were cancelled out in midfield.
Playing football to win is one thing, playing football for fun is everything.
More information will follow as we discover the details of the semi final.
For now though: go Tigers!
Update, 18th March 2016
Dawlish Lions and Central City are playing the first semi-final game on Saturday 19th March. On the same day the quarter-final game between Brixington Blues and Copplestone Tigers will take place. The winner of that game will face the Tigers in the second semi-final, which has yet to be arranged.
Update, 19th March 2016
This morning Brixington Blues beat Copplestone Tigers 1-0, which means that the Tigers will play Brixington Blues in the second semi final.