The Tigers secured a hard-fought victory in the first round of the Junior League Cup, edging past Woodpecker FC 3-2 in a thrilling encounter that went right down to the wire. The Tigers put in a battling performance, with a fast start and resilient finish proving the difference.

The Tigers took control from the opening whistle, dominating possession and moving the ball with confidence. Their early pressure paid off after just 9 minutes when Reece Bare showcased his quality. Cutting inside from the left, Bare unleashed a perfectly placed shot from just outside the box that flew into the top corner, giving the Woodpecker goalkeeper no chance.

Bare wasn't finished there, and he doubled the lead three minutes before halftime. Showing great strength and awareness, he allowed a lofted ball to pass over his head while holding off a defender, before racing onto it and drilling a low, powerful shot under the goalkeeper's arms. With the Tigers 2-0 up at halftime, they looked to be in full control of the match.

However, Woodpecker FC came out for the second half with renewed energy and intent, putting the Tigers under intense pressure. The breakthrough for Woodpecker came in the 60th minute when they pulled one back, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense final half-hour.

As Woodpecker pressed for an equaliser, the Tigers pounced on the counterattack. Reece Bare was once again at the heart of it, flicking a clever pass into the path of Loz Finney. Finney found himself one-on-one with the keeper and kept his cool, slotting home to make it 3-1 in the 77th minute, restoring the Tigers' two-goal cushion.

Woodpecker responded almost immediately, scoring just two minutes later to make it 3-2, setting up a nervy finish. The final 10 minutes were nail-biting as Woodpecker continued to press, but The Tigers defended resolutely. Goalkeeper Bradley Thoregood made a string of crucial saves to preserve the lead and ensure the Tigers held on for the win.

It was a battling performance from the Tigers, and their resilience saw them through to the next round of the Junior League Cup.

Caspian Tigers Football Club

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