Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on October 30, 2007

EB Lions U8 - 2
Crawley Green Crusaders U8 - 2

What a game. As soon as the match started it was obvious that this was going to be a very tense and close game. Both teams were defending well and neither got into a proper rhythm.

After 12 minutes Crawley took the lead but three minutes later Lions were back on level terms with a great individual goal from Dax Roe. Lions kept the pressure on and could have scored again before half time but the bar and posts stopped this from happening.

The second half started and it was more of the same with the Lions having most of the chances but unable to find the back of the net. With seven minutes left Crawley scored again. Lions kept pushing forward and three minutes later Charlie Giblin got the equalizer. For the final few minutes it looked like Lions might score again but it wasn't to be.

Toddington Rovers Youth B U11 - 4
EB Lions U11 - 7

Another goal bonanza from the Lions with the boys confirming their current position as the league's leading scoters but also taking their supporters on another roller coaster ride. The Lions started off kicking up the slope into the driving wind and rain but incredibly were 3 - 0 up inside six minutes. Matt Bramston scored the quickest hat trick you will ever see.

As the half progressed Toddington, with the elements at their backs, scored two goals to leave the score 3 - 2 at half time. Toddington then equalised, but despite losing a three goal lead the Lions continued playing excellent attacking football. Matt Glover and William Poole both scored with great strikes.

Toddington scored again before William got his second and MoM James Tate wrapped up the win with the final goal. Another fantastic entertaining match giving the Lions a perfect month, four wins from their four matches played in October.

EB Lions U12 - 9
Oakley Rangers U12 - 1

Both teams started well and appeared evenly matched but Lions soon forged ahead as Will Sanders crossed a solid ball into the net and later scored a second from a packed goalmouth. A long throw from Nathan Sears bounced off an Oakley defender's head for an own goal.

The second half saw a more determined Oakley but Will was keen for his hat trick and his patience paid off. The Oakley keeper dropped the ball and Will was there to tap it in. Oakley retaliated securing their first goal. Lions followed with another goal from Will and a sixth came after another long throw from Nathan to James Pearce and a one on one with the goalie. A frustrating moment for Oakley as a second own goal was scored. Lions' Jake Higgs powered the ball into the net after a great run and finally Lions' Luke Dunstan kicked the ball over everyone's heads to score the ninth.

Sandy Colts U12 Girls - 2
EB Lions U12 Girls - 1

It only took Hattie three minutes to score the first goal for Lions.

Lions were looking strong and pushing forward along with some great defending from captain Devon and some good saves from Shannon when Colts attacked. An impressive tackle from Devon resulted in her coming off with a hip injury and being replaced by Nancy. Just before half time Lions had another near miss following a throw in from Darcy who got the ball back and then crossed it into Colts' goal only to be denied by their keeper.

Colts started strongly after half time and equalized within a minute. Some good defensive work from Katie and great clearances from Nancy, earning her GOM, kept the game level until Sandy scored again 23mins into the second half. This was a very tight game that could have gone either way with solid performances from all the team.

Please note names in last week's report should read Hattie French and Megan Viljoen.

EB Lions U14 - 3
Houghton Regis Youth U14 - 3

Lions started strongly and their pressure earned corners but yielded no goals. Eventually a good through ball from Matt Audouard enabled George Crace to volley the ball over the goalie for Lions' first.

Houghton retaliated immediately with an attack up the left wing and a shot from an unbelievably acute angle. Houghton's goalie came out to block a shot from Jack Coates and MoM Crace scored from the rebound. Lions lost their lead again when a free-kick bounced straight through their defence into the net and then had two shots saved.

Against the run of play, Houghton scored from a corner just before half-time.

Early in the second half Jonnie Moriarty kicked an excellent corner for Lions and Coates scored the equaliser with a diving header. Despite determined play from both teams, several shots and many corners neither team could manage to score the deciding goal in this exciting match.

Source: EB Lions