Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on January 16, 2007

EB Lions U8 - 1
Luton Borough Dragons U8 - 4

Luton Borough Dragons had previously inflicted a heavy defeat on Lions. This match was more even, particularly in the second half.

Elliot Whitcombe featured strongly in defence, clearing the Lions from attack twice in the first few minutes. Unfortunately, Lions were 0-3 down at half time, despite good performances by Elliot, Dylan Karavadra, Jack Cook and Thomas Rainbow.

The second half was better for Lions, with Jack Nevitt scoring well to make it 1-3, with the final score being 1-4 to Luton.

Manager and coach, Paul Cook, was pleased with Lions' performance, particularly as they are passing to each other in a much more positive way and also comparisons with games against teams played for the second time show improvement.

Man of the match was Elliot Whitcombe.

The squad comprised: Thomas Rainbow, Jack Cook, Dylan Karavadra, Jack Nevitt, James Pratt, Archie Bunker, Elliot Whitcombe, Charles Gamble, Callum Gardner and Tom Phillips.

EB Lions U13 - 3
Bramingham Youth U13 - 1

A competitive and evenly matched game saw good attacking play from both teams.

Lions had two shots saved and one just wide while their goalie, Charlie Oliver, made several good saves to keep the score-line 0-0 at half-time and earn MoM.

James Thiel, working well in defence, initiated a Lions' attack, passing to Gus Thorne who delivered the ball to Jack Coates. Coates coolly out-manoeuvred the goalie to score.

A huge kick from Oliver gave Coates another opportunity and as the goalie parried the shot Sam Marshall ran on to the re-bound to score.

Bramingham's quick number seven ran rings round the Lions' defence but an excellent free-kick by Thorne was blocked by the keeper and Marshall again pounced on the loose ball to score.

In the closing minutes a Lions' player unfortunately handled the ball in the area (believing that offside had been given) and Bramingham scored from the penalty.

EB Lions U15 - 1
Bedford College Grasshoppers U15 - 3

This was a difficult match for the injury-depleted Lions and further injuries during the match didn't help. Lions missed a couple of chances before Bedford scored from a run up the left wing.

Both teams had several more chances but the goalkeepers were on good form. At one point four different Lions players had shots on target within a matter of seconds, all blocked by the Bedford goalie!

In the second half a shot by Ben Turner was dropped by the Bedford goalie but nobody was there to follow up.

Bedford scored a carbon copy second goal and followed up with a run onto a forward pass and a shot into the corner.

Lions retaliated when Rob Gadsden scored from an impressive solo run up the centre.

Despite further shots on target from Gadsden and Dylan Taylor, Lions could not close the gap. Gareth Hemming got MoM for great defensive play.

Source: EB Lions