Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on October 17, 2007

St Martins Orange U8 - 0
EB Lions Blues U8 - 2

Having slipped to defeat in the pre-league openers, the young Lions team finally secured the win they deserved, overcoming the resilient St Martins and, significantly, refusing to concede a goal in the process.

MoM David Wood landed a brace of goals, scoring in the ninth and 19th minutes, ably supported by forwards Connor Tough, Matt Kennell and midfielders Toby McGee and Sam Bramston.

The team worked to a high pace and were clearly tiring by the second half, but solid defence work from Jack Reynolds, Daniel Challis and Bradley Hicks and a couple of saves from keeper Ollie Mulcahy ensured a happily lop-sided scoreline.

Having made the perfect start to the league, wowing proud spectators, the Lions look forward to moving on with the confidence of a winning team. A fantastic performance.

EB Lions U8 Reds - 0
Bushmead Wanderers U8 - 1

This was Lions' first league match in division one, with two players away and their striker up most of the night before the match they knew they had a lot of work to do.

As the game progressed towards half time with two chances from Lions hitting the post and other attempts on goal being well saved it was obvious that this was going to be tough.

During the second half the game was evenly balanced with both sides unable to find the back of the opposition net. Two minutes from full time Bushmead scored. With so little time left Lions were unable to get the equalizer which would have been well deserved.

Lions played well and know that this is one small set back in what will be a great season.

MoM went to Captain George.

EB Lions U10 - 0
Sundon Park Rangers U10 - 7

Given a handful of the tenacity which saw the Lions push Bushmead to their limits last week, a win was surely on the cards against Rangers, who had slumped to. defeat in all of their pre-league openers.

What transpired though was an abrasive match, punctuated by the odd spark but otherwise exasperatingly insipid: a stark contrast to the stylish moves and laser-guided passes we're accustomed to.

A languid first half saw the Lions absorb three goals and this continued into the second, another three firing past in as many minutes, before the final goal landed just ahead of full time.

Hats off to MoM Dominic who was resolute in his attempts to turn the tide, but the Lions need to rediscover a more focused approach to their play. Every player in a striped shirt showed his impressive talents, but those displays were sparsely demonstrated.

EB Lions Girls U10 - 3
Flitwick Eagles - 1

The match started with a rush of enthusiasm from both sides with play moving from end to end. Eagles' defence was eventually broken down by a continued attack on goal by Hannah Holloway resulting in a corner from which Melissa Sounders scored.

Eagles, not to be intimidated by Lions, swarmed into their half and scored an equaliser. The game now became rather one sided in favour of Lions, opportunities were created by excellent midfield activity by Holly Potton, Georgia Rigby, Liberty Woolsey and Stephanie Tate, these players feeding the forwards who had a number of goal opportunities.

In the second half a substitution was made bringing Melissa Sounders (Girl of the match) back on and within minutes she had scored another goal. Eagles now retaliated forcing some excellent saves from goal-keeper Megan Reynolds. Eventually in the closing minutes a cross across the goal from Lions was volleyed in by Amber Walsh.

EB Lions U11 -
4 Harlington U11 - 1

The Lions continued their run of good form with an excellent home win. A slick passing move ended with Scotty Mercer playing in Matt Bramston who blasted the ball into the net. The Lions allowed Harlington to equalise, conceding a sloppy goal from a corner. Matt Glover restored the Lions' lead, scoring from a narrow angle after the Harlington keeper had advanced to the edge of his box.

Scotty and Matt G both hit the post as the Lions dominated the remainder of the half.

After the break the Lions continued playing well and when the keeper spilled Scotty's shot, James Tate was in the right place to fire the rebound into the net. Matt B hit the post again before William Poole scored a fine individual goal to round off a great team performance. Every player contributed in an entertaining match. MoM was Lions captain Scotty Mercer.

Eaton Bray Lions U12 - 9
Dunstable AFC - 0

Both teams demonstrated some excellent passing and control. However, it wasn't long before the experience of the Lions showed through and after a well-placed corner Jack Bramston was able to score.

The Lions kept on the pressure and soon Jake Higgs, Ed McBrearty, Nathan Sears, Vincenzo Lombardo scored several more Lions goals. Dunstable's Beckham Cant played some great football and made numerous challenges.

The second half saw a more determined Dunstable AFC but once again Jack Bramston headed the ball for a sixth goal. A great pass by James Pearce and Vincenzo scored again.

It was soon the turn of Luke Dunstan who dribbled the ball through the Dunstable defence to score. This was shortly followed by a bullet shot by Tom Nevittt. EB Lions MoM Vincenzo Lombardo.

Dunstable AFC MoM Matthew Chapman.

EB Lions U12 Girls - 2
Potten Colts - 5

Lions first match of the season after the mini league found them travelling to Potten Colts, an early start was needed for the long journey ahead.

After going 0-3 down it took a lot of spirit, battling and self belief from all the team to enable Darcy Ashby and Elsa Kirkwood to score a goal each and by half time the score was 2-3. It seemed that in the second half they were going to get back on level terms and even snatch a win.

The second half progressed with the Lions working hard and chasing every ball with more attempts on goal. They could have drawn level, but Potten managed two more goals which left the score line not reflecting how close the two sides were.

Brickhill Wanderers B U14 - 0
EB Lions U14 - 4

Despite dominating the play it began to look as if Lions would never score. Four shots were just wide and two hit the woodwork.

Eventually Jack Coates threaded a ball through to George Crace who steered a long shot into the net. Wanderers fought back and both teams missed several more chances before half-time. Morgan O'Connell and Andy Dear worked well in Lions' defence.

Within seconds of the re-start Coates' shot hit Wanderers' goalie and Andy Scott-Lewis scored from the rebound. Scott-Lewis scored his second within minutes, neatly shifting the ball to his favoured foot. Lions took control again and always looked likely to increase their lead. One last attacking surge from Lions allowed Crace to score his second with the final kick of the match.

Man of the match was Coates for his hard work and vital assistance to the goal-scorers.

Source: EB Lions