Tuncurry-Forster Football Club

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Round 11

Tuncurry Forster Football Club

Bella Bellisimo YD1 Tigers Vs Wingham Warriors

The Tigers hosted the clash between the two undefeated teams in wet conditions on a field showing the wear and tear of overuse. In a very tight contest the Tigers recorded a 3-1 victory.

Despite the scoreline the first half was extremely tight with play going from end to end with all players showing great skill in such difficult conditions. The Tigers opened the scoring when Paul Chipperfield sent the defence the wrong way with a reverse flick to Brad Murray who let fly a 30 metre screamer that gave the keeper no chance. This lifted the Tigers and they applied a lot of pressure on the Warriors who were now being forced to do a lot of defensive work. A lovely corner from James Jenkins saw Luke Arnold rise above the defence and head home a fine goal. Despite this pressure the Wingham players created a number of good scoring opportunities only to be denied by a brilliant display of goalkeeping from Dan Murray who was given every assistance from the defensive group led Mugo Mugiven, Mitch Schubert, Zac Reekie, Sean Ireland and Brock Cheers. The Tigers third goal was created by Adam Christensen who slotted a lovely ball through to Jenkins who calmly slotted past the keeper. Brad Murray was superb in the centre of midfield with his passing and tackling setting the example for his team mates to follow.

The Warriors regrouped at half time and played with a lot more control in the second half. When they finally forced a mistake and took the score to 3-1 the game all of a sudden seemed to be played at the Tigers end of the field, but the players worked hard to claim a nail biting victory.

The players’ player award went to Dan Murray while he also picked up the Bella Bellisimo Coach’s award.

Round 7

Tuncurry Forster Football Club

Bella Bellisimo YD1 Tigers Vs Old Bar

The Tigers were at home to Old Bar in the second of a double-header weekend and were able to grind out a thrilling 3-2 victory.

The team were without captain Brad Murray and leading goal scorer Paul Chipperfield and playing a team that they hadn’t beaten in the previous four seasons. To make things more difficult they only had one interchange player and were backing up from a very physical game the previous day.

To say they started slowly would have been an understatement with Old Bar hitting the post twice before they finally capitalised on their territorial dominance by scoring the opening goal. This seemed to kick the Tigers into action, led by some determined midfield work from Scott Fantini and Isaac Fish who both thrived on the extra responsibility thrust upon them the Tigers played themselves into form. Nick Murray also thrived in his role change from defence to attack and he added some much needed enthusiasm into the game. The Tigers were back on even terms when the Old Bar goalie pushed a Tigers player inside the penalty area which gave the ref no other option but to point the spot. James Jenkins struck the penalty confidently into the net to level the score at 1-1. Minutes later the Old Bar team were awarded a penalty for a mistimed tackle in the penalty area, however they were denied by Dan Murray who held his nerve and tipped the shot over the bar.

The second half was always going to be difficult as the legs grew weary, but the determination and heart of the Tigers players proved the difference in the end. Sean Ireland let fly with a blazing strike that deflected form the Old Bar defender into the path of Adam Christensen who passed to Luke Arnold who slotted clinically past the keeper. Old Bar then threw everything at the Tigers who were forced to dig deep in defence with Jack Mugiven and Mitch Schubert producing amazing efforts to keep the attack at bay. As the legs grew heavy Old Bar worked some nice passes before scoring to tie the scores at 2-2. Not to be outdone, an inspirational Adam Christensen chased a through ball down the right wing, beat his defender and sent a perfect far post cross to Nick Murray who showed amazing composure to head in the winner and claim an exciting victory.  

The players’ player award was shared by Dan and Nick Murray while Adam Christensen took out the Bella Bellisimo Coach’s award.