Tigers Tamed by Under 13s

Hykeham Tiger Bees v Horncastle Town U13 Mid Lincs League – ‘U13’s tame Tigers'

On frosty but bright January Sunday, Horncastle travelled to North Hykeham to continue their Mid Lincs league campaign. An expectant crowd gathered to see whether Town could shake the disappointment from the previous fixture loss against North Lindum Hawks.

The visitors started strongly creating early opportunities, midfield pairing Ellis Roberts and Josh Britchford taking an early grip on the central territory.

It was Roberts winning the ball centrally played skipper James Mckeag in down the right forcing the home team to retreat. Town continued to pile the pressure onto the Tigers, their progressive passing game leaving the home team chasing shadows.

It seemed only a matter of time before the red & whites would break the deadlock. With the effervescent Connor Toulson winning the ball in the final third he played in Ryan Woollard, who needed no invitation, lashing the ball past the diving keeper, 0-1.

Town sensed blood and continued to turn up the wick, forcing a corner from the right hand quadrant. With the ball whipped into the box Aaron Smith jumped with the keeper, the ball falling to Alfie 'Dave' Baird who smashed the ball into the net. With the two teams heading to form the restart a protest came from the home team coach, the referee reconsidered his decision, the result a free kick to Hykeham. This decision didn't go down well with the travelling support.

This seemed to bring the home team to life, attacking down the left a ball fizzed across the 6 yard line. With the centre forward connecting and the home crowd expecting the net to ripple Chloe Pickering stepped in clearing the ball to safety.

The Wongers continued to dominate possession, it seemed only a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ they would score their second. With Woollard in fine form the ball fell to him at the edge of the box, the striker then cutting inside sliced through the Tigers defence like a knife through butter, and despite the keeper narrowing the angle struck the ball cleanly into the right hand corner of the net, 0-2.

Horncastle continued to dominate, the back four of William Fawcett, Aaron Smith, Archie Kirk and Chloe Pickering camped on the half way line having little to worry them with keeper Peter Smith commanding his area when required, HT 0-2.

Playing up the slope in the second half Town’s appetite for another goal was not satisfied. They continually forced errors from their opponents and were always first to the second ball, skipper Mckeag along with Kyle Tempest setting the example to the rest of the team. They bristled with confidence with excellent interchanges between Roberts, Connor’s Pinkett and Toulson with Woollard a continual threat.

Town continued to look dangerous, Woollard & Toulson warming the keepers hands with stinging shots. Tigers were reduced to playing long balls through the central area, Horncastle’s Aaron Smith outpacing and frustrating their attackers.

The Wongers searched for a further goal, pressurizing the home team to concede a series of corners. Firstly Daniel Cobban went close with clean shot, with the next cross Kirk headed the third, 0-3.

With the minutes ticking through to completion Town closed the game down, choking the Tigers into submission, FT 0-3.

A delighted Head coach Bruce Baxter praised his team for an excellent complete performance – “goals for and a clean sheet”, with every player making a significant contribution. Stating that it was difficult to pick out a single player as every player had completed their job, it was however Aaron Smith who was awarded man of the match for a commanding defensive display.

Town continue their campaign at home entertaining Welton Arrows next Sunday, KO 10-45.