Lee Rangers were again blessed with a lovely sunny morning for their match against the Tigers with a view to continuing their winning run against the Crofton Saints teams, having already beaten the Panthers early in the season.

The Lee squad was Allan, Ben, Kai, Luca, Joe, Liam, Cameron, Ronnie, James, Paul and Josh.

Playing in their unfamiliar away strip of red bibs to avoid a clash with the Tigers also in blue and white, Lee started well with most of the play.

Ben had a good break and a shot that went just wide, and in midfield Paul and Cameron were winning the loose balls. Then the Tigers had 2 breaks, both of which were snuffed out by Kai, who showed great speed in getting back to clear the ball off the toes of the Tiger's striker. James in goal was largely untroubled, but when called into action, showed good kicking distance and direction skills from both his hands and goal kicks. Liam also played his part in keeping the midfield in control, and blocking the Tiger's attacks.

Ben had another chance which went wide and then Allan had a shot which was comfortably saved.

Ronnie and Josh then came on as subs., with Ronnie having a long range effort go wide, followed by Ben having a shot that was very well saved by the Tigers keeper.

So at the end of the first half, 0-0 with Lee having the better chances, but not taking them.

With your reporter just returning with 2 cups of tea, the second half began, and almost straight from the kick-off Tiger's broke down the right side, and scored from a good shot beating James high on his near post. 1-0 to Tigers.

The goal woke Rangers up. A corner by Ronnie fell to Kai whose shot was blocked, as was another effort by Alan. After a rare Tigers attack, James's long clearance fell to Allan, who shot just wide. Joe then burst into the box and had his shot well saved by the keeper, and from the resulting corner by Joe, Alan put his shot over the bar.

In defence Cameron, Josh and Luca all maintained their concentration to snuff out the Tigers, with Cameron's long throw-ins being a major asset.

Ranger's pressure continued with Paul just not quite getting his shot in, then Ronnie fed Allan down the left hand side, and Allan hit a powerful shot that flew into the top of the net 1-1

Minutes later Allan burst down the right wing cut in and thumped the ball into the back of the net, 1-2. This was followed by Ben's shot hitting the bottom of the post with the keeper beaten.

Tiger's still had time for one last attack, but it was again well saved by James.


So at the final whistle, 2-1 to Lee, with James voted man of the match with is excellent all-round performance in goal, bringing much stability to the defence.