Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on October 4, 2006

Eaton Bray Lions U11 - 11
Memorial Park "B" - 2

The whistle blew and shortly afterwards Memorial played a corner which for EB Lions resulted in an own goal. EB Lions certainly didn't dwell on their misfortune and James Pearce responded by scoring two goals in quick succession.

Some great tackling from both sides but Memorial's defence just couldn't stop EB Lions and Will Sanders was able to shoot two more goals in the back of Memorial's goal.

James & Will continued to put the pressure on the goalkeeper and both scored their hat tricks before the half time whistle blew. The second half saw Memorial battle on but EB Lions' Joe Turner scored two more goals for the Lions. After a great run from Daniel Nathan, James Pearce was able to secure his 4th goal.

It was soon to be Memorial's turn and after a great cross they landed the ball in the back of EB Lions' net. EB Lions soon retaliated and Jake Higgs scored his first goal of the match and James Pearce scored his 5th goal just before the final whistle.

Although Memorial lost the match, they always displayed great determination and good tackling ability.

Man of the Match - Robert Moseley (EB Lions defence).

Eaton Bray Lions U13 - 7
Stopsley Colts - 2

Both teams started positively, despite the rain-lashed conditions, with two early misses by Lions and a Stopsley free-kick rebounding off the crossbar. Gus Thorne pounced on a through ball to score Lions' first goal.

Lions strung together some good passes but great attacking play by Stopsley was only thwarted by great saves by goalie, Lee Cavendish, and a clearance off the line by Matt Lancefield.

Gus took the ball wide up the right wing and managed to squeeze in his second goal from an acute angle, but Stopsley retaliated immediately, scoring their first.

In the second half Jack Coates drilled a well-placed shot just inside the post.

Stopsley brought on their number 10 who proved dangerous whenever he got within shooting range, requiring excellent play from Andy Scott-Lewis to contain him. Jack made a run from midfield to score Lions' fourth and Gus followed his example to secure his hat-trick.

After an attack by Ross Taylor a goal mouth scramble resulted in Jack's hat-trick and then Morgan O'Connell finished off a good attacking sequence to score Lion's seventh. Stopsley headed in a goal from a great cross across the goalmouth in the final minutes.

MOM was awarded to Jack Coates.

Houghton Wanderers U15 - 5
Eaton Bray Lions U15 - 0

Lions made a good start but a great cross by Stephen Broughton came to nothing. Lions had possession for most of the first half hour, but despite several crosses into the goal area and some impressive corners by Martin Coates they just couldn't convert their chances into goals.

In contrast, Wanderers made good use of their chances. After thirty minutes an ambitious shot from wide on the wing was knocked into the net. Just before half-time Wanderers gained possession during a Lions' attack and quickly took the ball to the other end to score their second before Lions had time to react.

In the second half Wanderers played more confidently against an ever more despondent Lions. Lions' goalie, Dean Clark, had to make some good saves, Alex Kirkwood and Gareth were kept busy in defence and Alex Lay made several of his trademark sprints to cut off attacking runs made by Wanderers' players.

Wanderers scored three more, including a powerful shot from wide on the left. A promising final attack up the wing by Martin was halted by Wanderers' defence, which summed up the frustration felt by Lions during this match.

MOM was awarded to Martin Coates.

Source: EB Lions