Bengeo Tigers FC

The wind blew and the rain came down, but the pitch at Sele had held up well and it was game on for the second meeting this season between the Sumatrans and the Bengals. With Richard Andrews missing (fractured ankle) and Joe Franklin away, a necessary re-shuffle saw Kyle Bates drop back into Richards place, whilst Zack Barber, Jack Stewart and Ben Adams started in their regular places in defence. Sam Milne played as keeper today. The holding midfield role was given to Craig Webb and as Kyle and Joe were absent from the midfield, their places were occupied by Tyler Jervis and James Brett. Robert and Andrea made up the final two across the midfield with Tobi the lone striker. Calum Dunnage, Ryan Lankester and Sam Rider where 'on the bench' for the start.

The Sumatrans started well with Tobi coming close when a shot rebound off the post in the fourth minute and soon after putting an excellent flick over the Bengals defence to set Andrea on a run. Alistair (in goal for the Bengals) came quickly off his line and did enough as Andrea fired his shot across the goal to safety.

The Bengals countered well and both James Lewis and Billy Rayfield worked the wings to ensure that Ben and Zack had to work hard to keep them both at bay. The Bengals had the better of the midfield, but the Sumatran defence ensured that keeper Sam was rarely troubled. Craig, Tyler and James worked hard to ensure that Tobi, Robert and Andrea were supplied with through balls, but most of what went through was efficiently mopped up by the Bengal defence. On a number of occasions, ever alert keeper Alistair had to quickly come off his line to claim a ball that had made it through, just beating one of the Sumatran strikers. At half time, the score was level with no goals to show.

For the start of the second half, Calum Dunnage replaced Captain Jack Stewart, who was feeling unwell. Craig took over the captaincy. The Bengals had the best of the first few minutes, but the Sumatrans soon started controlling the midfield more and Robert came close in the 50^th minute. A minute later, Tobi made a break and fired a shot that saw his second post rebound of the day (he also clipped the outside of the post a while later). It wasn't looking like the Sumatrans day. Moments later, the ball had been cleared and a short game of pinball followed in the Sumatran penalty area which resulted in a very unfortunate own goal to break the deadlock. The Sumatrans fought back well and were still creating chances, but were not able to find the net. So that's the way it stayed, one nil to the Bengals. Overall, there was not a great deal between the teams. The Sumatrans created more chances, but were - by a combination of good keeping and defending by the Bengals (and a little bad luck) – unable to do the important bit and get the ball in the Bengals net

Well done to both sides for producing an entertaining match under difficult weather conditions.

Sumatran men of the match today were Craig and Andrea.

Mick Barber.