Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Tigers stuck it to their National Premier League two opponents for the full 90 minutes of their round six clash.

The hosts were on the back foot after just five minutes, when the Spirit was awarded a penalty.

Just when it appeared that goalkeeper Scott Fagerlund had dispersed the danger for the black and gold, after saving the initial shot, penalty taker Ahmed Sweedan was first to the lose ball, to kick it into the back of the net, for the match’s opening goal. 

The Tigers then tried to hit back but the classy visitors controlled possession and if not for a string of reflex saves by Fagerlund, they could have found themselves behind by more.

Unfortunately for the hundreds of home fans in attendance, Spirit ’s lead was eventually doubled, when Mason Ireland calmly slotted a sharp pass into the box, which is how the scoreline remained until half-time.

“I thought we started the match fairly well, against a very good opposition, which moved the ball exceptionally,” Aldridge said.

“Despite being down by two at the break, I said to the boys at half-time that if we can pull one back, we are right in this.”

After a stern talk at the break, Aldridge’s troops came out more determined in the second half, but try as they might, they couldn’t break the resolve of the Spirit.

The second 45 minutes were a lot closer, despite two late goals to Spirit’s Daniel Collissimo and Jayden Young in the final two minutes.

“It’s obviously not the result we wanted but I’m proud of the effort from all of the boys,” Aldridge said.

“We were in the game for the majority of the 90 minutes and had periods of really strong play where we created opportunities and stuck it to them.

“It was great to be able to bring that quality of football to the Shoalhaven.”

In the loss, Aldridge highlighted the play of Fagerlund, Jordan Haddow, Tom Moffat and Brendan Kellett.