Crisp October sunshine greeted Tuffley Rovers Clarets for the first league meeting of the season against Rodborough.

Oliver K started in goal with Luca D and Alex C in defence, Theo M along with Charlie W taking positions on the wings with Thomas E upfront. Otto M and Zaid A starting on the bench.

The game started with both teams trying to find an early opener, a frantic first few moments with Theo M using pace to exploit the defenders and putting in a couple of good crosses that just failed to find their mark. Thomas E playing up front held the ball well bringing in players from behind and wings.

The deadlock was broken when on 7 minutes Rodborough’s own “Messi” produced a bit of magic, Luca D picked the ball up in the centre circle before driving at the heart of Tuffley’s defence, excellent dribbling ball skills allowed him to drift past 3 players before firing the ball past the keeper.

On 15 minutes Tuffley finally found a way though the defence and Oliver K who had already made several good saves.

Zaid A and Otto M came on and slotted in well, Zaid A almost scoring with a superb lob of the keeper from outside the area only for it a hit the cross bar.

Tuffley pressed and hit the bar and looked for another goal.

Luca D found himself on the edge on the penalty area, he got his shot away which was saved by the keeper but Jack M was on hand to slot home and getting reward for an industrious first half. 2-1 at half time.

The second half started and Tuffley came out on fire, Jack M and Otto M did their best playing at the back but their resilience was broken when the ball broke to Tuffley and with 3 players in the Rodborough half seemed certain to score, Oliver K made it hard work pulling of 2 great saves but the outcome was inevitable and the ball hit the back of the net.

Tuffley continued to press and Rodborough started to leave space for them to exploit, a quick fire third goal put Tuffley ahead 2-3.
Positional changes were made and rewards were almost instant with Luca D now playing as a forward driving the ball home following a ball from Alex C.

Rodborough now playing with more purpose and capitalising on a tiring Tuffley restored the lead with a well take goal by Charlie W, picking the ball up on the left he took his time and picked his spot from the edge of the area.

Tuffley pressed for another equalizer and went close on several occasions with saves being pulled off by Oliver K and defending from Alex C, Otto M and Zaid A.

Theo M and Thomas E working hard on the wings started to find space and rewards for the effort they had put in to the game.
Rodborough weren’t finished and put the game to bed with Luca D sealing the game and scoring his first hattrick and his 10th goal of the season.

An excellent game for the spectators that had everything, goals, chances and a comeback that showed great character by all the players.

Player of the match as voted for by Tuffley was Theo M

Players of the match for the coaches was Oliver K for making several cracking saves and keeping the Tuffley strikers frustrated and Luca D for a great hattrick.