Marlow United’s under-13 Tigers took their league success on the road as they competed at the National Aces invitational football tournament in Leicester.

The Tigers represented the East Berks Football Alliance at the event after an impressive campaign saw them win their domestic league and cup competitions.

It was the club’s first appearance at the competition as 36 league champions from across the country went head to head.

The step up in quality did little to prevent to Tigers from prospering as they made light work of the group stage to finish ahead of Exeter, Camberley, Newark, Kettering and Bristol with an unbeaten record.

A last 16 tie against Portsmouth promised to provide a sterner challenge, but they too fell to Marlow as a superb free kick from Rowan Smith secured a 2-1 victory.

An early goal for Leicester in a hard-fought quarter-final left the Tigers facing a challenge to stay in the competition but they soon fought back to level through Luke Bray’s powerful header.

Their joy was short-lived, however, and two quick goals for Leicester, who went on to lose in the final to Leeds, sent Marlow out.

The Tigers coaching staff remained proud of their side’s achievements as they finished the tournament as one of the top eight teams in their age group nation-wide.