Samba Tigers 5 – 5 AFC History
AN EXCITING pre-season friendly rekindled the troubled flame of IMG football last Wednesday as newcomers FC Samba Tigers went head-to-head with the experienced AFC History.
The Tigers side, depleted due to injury and illness started poorly as History stormed into an early 2-0 lead, but showed great resolve to come back in to the game. Max Barrett began the comeback when he nutmegged a defender and slotted home.The Tigers then equalised, pouncing on a chance when the ball stopped in an unfortunately placed puddle at the centre of the History penalty area. John Fisher arrived, slotting the ball calmly past the stranded goalkeeper.
Fisher pounced again to give the Tigers the lead with a clinical finish leaving AFC History stunned. Before the half was over, Captain Marc Edwards put in a strong challenge to regain possession for the Tigers, Pete Gardner picked up the ball on the wing and picked out Barrett who expertly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to increase the lead. FC Samba Tigers walked off at half-time with their heads held high.
With the score at 4-2, the Tigers looked confident of securing an impressive win but a costly choice of footwear left their goalkeeper struggling to move across his area as a misplaced through ball ended up nestled in the back of the net.
Once again the Tigers responded stoutly. At a corner initially cleared by the defence, the ball was played back in by Adam Hobson whose flick-on was met by Jon Fisher, bundling the ball home and grabbing a hat-trick against his old club in the process. At the other end, Ryan Edwards made a stunning save to preserve the two-goal cushion as the regular goalkeeper was off the field changing his footwear. However, on his return, AFC History scored from a poorly defended corner as the tension grew.
With the game reaching fever pitch, an attacking substitution by AFC History paid dividends when a low cross was converted by their pacy striker. Although that was the end of the game’s goals, supporters were treated to an action packed final 20 minutes, with both teams hitting the woodwork on numerous occasions. Substitute Ryan Edwards wreaked havoc in the box with his menacing long throws, whilst both teams wasted glorious chances to win the game at the death. The match finally ending honours even.
After the game current Tigers striker and ex-AFC History player Jon Fisher said, “It’s always nice to score against your old side, so obviously I’m delighted to bag a hat-trick.”
