Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on March 27, 2007

Crawley Green U8 - 9
EB Lions U8 - 2

The Lions can and have played better during the season but on Saturday forgot the training given by coach Paul Cook.

There were a few good performances however from James Pratt, Jack Nevitt Archie Bunker (in goal for second half) and Thomas Rainbow in defence. The Lions goals came from Jack Nevitt in the first half and Jack Cook in the second, passing and positional play in the initial stages was impressive from the Lions but this quickly fell apart as the score against them increased. The Lions have a squad of very good players and we know they will perform much better in the future. Man of the match was James Pratt a shining example to the team.

The squad comprised Jack Cook, Thomas Rainbow, Jack Nevitt, James Pratt, Archie Bunker, Charlie Gamble and Elliot Whitcombe.

Bramingham Youth U13 - 0
EB Lions U13 - 4

The small, sloping pitch did not lend itself to attractive football, but Lions had a couple of early shots just wide whilst Bramingham's speculative downhill shots were safely gathered by goalie, Charlie Oliver.

A huge kick from Oliver reached Jack Coates and a pass to Sam Marshall resulted in the first goal. Lions' Gus Thorne lobbed a free-kick to Coates, who headed it down and cracked it in with his left foot for the second. Bramingham looked dangerous with a couple of corners but Lions defended well.

In the second half the Bramingham goalie made a superb diving save to stop Jonnie Moriarty's shot, but Moriarty later succeeded with an impressive free-kick which just dipped under the crossbar. Lions' Matt Audouard gathered the ball in midfield and threaded a long pass forward to Coates who beat the goalie with a low, hard shot. Andy Scott-Lewis was Lions' MoM for his tireless work in midfield.

EB Lions U15 - 0
St Martins U15 - 0

St Martins probably expected an easy ride (after their 8-1 home victory) but Lions were determined to produce a good performance in their final match (of the season and their career).

Lions made most of the attacking play in the first half, with particularly good efforts by Alex Kirkwood and Dylan Taylor. Taylor had a shot saved and another which hit the underside of the bar. A shot by St Martins was cleared off the line by Alex Smith and Lions' goalie, Dean Clark, made good saves. Lions' captain, Rob Gadsden, took a free-kick which was tipped over the bar by the goalie and later his shot curled just wide of the top corner.

In the second half a reversal of fortunes saw St Martins forcing good defensive play by Lions, particularly from Sam Blumsom. Despite several corners St Martins were also unable to capitalise on their chances and the match remained goalless but thoroughly entertaining.

Source: EB Lions