Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on October 9, 2007

EB Lions U8 Blues - 1
Crawley Green U8 Lions - 7

As the preliminary matches draw to a close and the league placings are established, EB Lions U8 Blues can reflect positively on Saturday's game, despite slipping to a 7-1 defeat. They opened in spectacular fashion, holding their accomplished opponents at bay for much of the first half. An early goal for Crawley was countered with a searing penalty strike from Matt Kennel[ to level the score, after Connor Tough was felled inside the area.

A commanding defence, comprising Daniel Challis, Robert Bunting, Sam Bramston and Jack Reynolds, forced the dangerous Crawley forwards to work hard for their openings, and as usual Ollie Mulcahy's scorching saves were the epitome of effective keeping. Toby McGee, Connor Tough, Bradley Hicks and David Wood kept the Crawley keeper on his toes, while Josh Newman, out of action with a broken arm, was sorely missed.

EB Lions U8 Reds - 8
Crawley Green Crusaders - 0

The last match in the mini league was started strongly by Lions, and by half time they were 4-0 up following great play and plenty of passing and support for each other.

During the second half, another four goals were scored securing an 8-0 victory. The core of the squad proved strong again and allowed Lions to make substitutions with a minimum of disturbance.

Goals came from Dax Roe, 2, George Oliver, 2, Freddie Mines, 1, Karl Shrouder, 1, Lee Saunders, 1, and one own goal.

Lions' record in the mini league is played four, won four, goals scored 47 and goals against 0.

"I would like to thank the whole team for their commitment and effort in making this a great start to the 2007-2008 season." said coach Kev.

Lastly, a correction from last week's match report, the score was 14-0 and not 13-0 to the Lions. The missing goal was Karl's.

Luton AFC U9 - 0
EB Lions U9 - 3

The first five minutes saw Lions' pressure applied to the opposition, with several corners and a free kick nearly converted to goals. The pressure succeeded with a brilliant shot from Jack Cook, making it 1-0.

An excellent clearance from James Pratt, together with an inspirational passing movement into the opposing box terminated with another goal from Jack Cook.

Another good pass, from Dillon Karavadra, allowed Charles Gamble to score a poacher's goal, making it 3-0.

The second half was closer as AFC Luton reorganised, but Lions remained the stronger team and maintained the 3-0 score for an exceptional win. There were good performances from all the Lions' players and the MoM was, deservedly, James Pratt.

EB Lions team: Jack Cook, Max Ward, Thomas Rainbow, James Pratt, Tom Sage, Dillon Karavadra, Charles Gamble, Edward Lee, Jonathon Edwards, Archie Bunker.

EB Lions U10 - 0
Bushmead Wanderers U10 - 1

A searing performance was turned in by the ever-improving Lions U10s, who rattled the Bushmead defences and harassed a forward line well versed in hitting double figure goal tallies.

An early score saw Bushmead adopt the lead, but an equaliser seemed almost inevitable as the Lions turned the tables on their talented opponents to dominate much of the second half and a slice of the first. To elect any one player to man-of-the-match status would prove no mean feat, but defensive star James was an appropriate candidate, having dug in to fight stubbornly for every second he was in play.

And so into the league the Lions go with high expectations.

EB Lions Girls U10 - 2
Sacred Hearts Cheetahs - 1 (League Cup round 1)

Lions pushed through a resilient defence and mid-fielders Amber, Stephanie and Hannah served both wings with considerable success, causing Cheetahs' defence to move deeper into their half where the majority of the play took place.

The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when an outstanding pass from Liberty was picked up by Georgia and clinically steered into the top right of the net.

The pressure and fluency of Lions resulted in a penalty in the 15th minute awarded for handball, the shot, taken well by Melissa, glanced off the post to the relief of Cheetahs.

Just before half time Lions' dominance was rewarded with a goal by Georgia.

In the second half Cheetahs found their feet and Lions' goalie Megan, assisted by Misha and Holly, made some great saves. But a hard volley from Cheetahs provided an 18th minute goal. End to end competitive play provided an exciting culmination to the match.

Spartak Watling - 4
EB Lions U11 - 2

A cold sunny October morning set the scene and EB Lions were soon putting pressure on Spartak's defence.

It wasn't long before Nathan Sears had scored for the Lions.

Unfortunately, a misjudgement by their keeper resulted in a penalty being awarded against Lions and James Green from Spartak was able to level the score to oneall.

From that point the Lions seemed to lose concentration and Spartak capitalised on this and showed great tackling ability, Kyle Davidson soon scored Spartak's second goal shortly followed by a third goal scored by Darrel Millers.

The second half saw EB Lions give a much-improved performance with several attempts on goal. A well-deserved second goal for the Lions by Jake Higgs put hope back in the team. However, Spartak were not to be beaten and continued to play well and just before the final whistle Aaron Mayer scored Spartak's fourth goal.

This was a good game to watch played by two teams that showed great respect for each other. Lions MoM - James Pearce. Spartak Watling MoM - Ryan Shilleto.

Eaton Bray Lions - 3
Bushmead Rovers U12 - 3

The whistle blew and two very determined teams were keen to score. It wasn't long before Lions' James Pearce headed a corner taken by Jake Higgs into the back of the net.

Bushmead's, Billy Naughton quickly pushed past the Lions' defence and scored an equaliser. Bushmead spirits were running high and a great kick from Niall Winter put Bushmead one goal ahead. Some great tackles and passes from both sides but soon it was James Pearce's turn to score an equaliser.

The second half started well for the Lions. Vincenzo Lombardo kicked a great ball to James who secured his hat trick. Not to be beaten Ryan Kurt from Bushmead pushed through a group of Lions' defenders to score an equaliser.

Lions MoM - James Pearce, Bushmead Rovers - MoM Jack Scott.

Langford Youth U14 - 0
EB Lions U14 - 1

Lions faced a team two divisions above them in the first round of the county cup, but without their gifted player (now with Watford) who had caused Lions trouble when they met last season, Langford looked beatable.

Langford piled on the pressure but Lions' defence, particularly Matt Lancefield (MoM), never allowed them the space or time to get their shots on target. Five minutes from half-time a Lions' corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble from which George Crace scored.

The second half saw exciting attacking play from both sides. Lions' James Thiel almost scored with a header from a great corner by Jonnie Moriarty and a free-kick by Langford was cleared off the line by Morgan O'Connell.

Langford threw everything at Lions for the last ten minutes in an attempt to equalise, but Lions' goalie Lee Cavendish weathered the storm and their supporters greeted the whistle with relieved cheers. This was a gritty and determined performance by Lions.

Source: EB Lions