Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on April 1, 2008

EB Lions Reds - 3
AFC Luton - 0

Playing against a strong and bitterly cold wind with the odd snow shower to contend with it was fifteen minutes before a great free kick from Dax put Lions into a well deserved lead.

Lions' goalie, Toby, coped well with everything that came his way.

Lions kept the pressure on and got a second through Charlie just before half time.

With only seven players available, Lions unfortunately lost George towards the end of the first half due to an asthma attack.

Starting the second half a player down, Lions put Freddie, Lee and Harrison as back three leaving Dax and Charlie to try and find a way through to score again.

Some great runs from the front two put AFC under pressure, and a deflection off an AFC defender after a shot from Harrison gave Lions a well deserved third goal.

EB Lions Reds U8 - 2
Bushmead Wanderers U8 - 0

Lions started with the slope and the wind in their favour and despite the vast majority of the possession and pressure coming from Lions it was still 0-0 at half time.

Lions made substitutions at half time knowing that they had to work even harder to get a result.

Even with the slope and wind against them Lions still controlled the game and it appeared to be only a matter of time before they would score.

Then towards the end of the second half Lions got the goal that they had worked so hard for when Dax Roe rounded the keeper and put the ball in the back of the net.

Lions kept the pressure on and a minute later Dax rounded the keeper again and got his second.

This was a strong team performance with a well deserved result, MOM was Freddie Mines.

EB Lions Reds U8 - 2
Crawley Green Tigers U8 - 1

In a well-balanced match in which both teams were giving their best it was the Lions who proved the stronger team.

From Toby in goal, who made some great saves, through to Freddy and Jack in defence Lions looked solid at the back.

George, Harrison and Lee controlled midfield well for Lions.

Up front Dax, Charlie and Karl worked hard and gave Crawley problems throughout the match.

After 17 minutes the pressure from Lions paid off when Harrison found some space and put them 1-0 up at half time.

Against the run of play Crawley scored the equalizer four minutes into the second half.

Lions kept the pressure on and after a great run and goal from Dax (who was MOM), they were back in front.

George played a real captains role and held everything together so that Lions finished 2-1 winners to complete a great weekend.

Lewsey U10 - 1
EB Lions U10 - 1

The opening half belonged to Lions as Adam and Dominic tested the Lewsey keeper time and again.

Impressive attacks by way of Sean and Aarin kept the league leaders on their toes, forcing them out of a familiar comfort zone.

The occasional onslaught broke through but it was only the most ferocious efforts that were able to get by the steadfast defensive work of James and Ben, who rarely limited themselves to one position.

Keeper Dan, who has found a new form to improve on some already impressive work, expertly fielded the on-target attempts of some powerful Lewsey strikers to pick up a well deserved MoM award.

The opening goal came from Dominic's neatly placed corner kick, which deflected from a Lewsey defender into the net.

Following the break, a revitalised Lewsey emerged desperate to claw back the goal deficit.

Lions brought out their defensive game and held off the home team with some consummate counter work which saw Mason midfield Chris made some impressive passing moves to find a well placed Tom, who retained the pressure throughout.

Lewsey finally equalised with minutes to spare in an enthralling encounter.

Crawley Green U12 - 1
EB Lions U12 - 5

A bright sunny morning coupled with a very waterlogged pitch set the scene for the League Cup Quarter Final.

The whistle blew and within two minutes of play Lions had made several attempts on goal.

After a display of quick footwork by several players James Pearce landed Lions' first goal.

It wasn't long before Jake Higgs powered a long throw from Nathan Sears into the back of the net.

In the second half James Pearce made a great run up the pitch and outmanoeuvred the keeper to score again.

Crawley Green started to put pressure on but Luke Dunstan stood firm in Lions' defence.

Pearce was hungry for his hat trick and his patience was rewarded with another goal.

Crawley Green quickly responded with a superb display of passing to score their first goal.

Jake Higgs retaliated with a superb run up the field and a powerful shot straight into the net.

Declan Tomlinson was Lions' MOM.

Houghton Regis Youth U14 - 8
EB Lions U14 - 0

The lopsided score-line reflects the size of the squads: Lions fielded nine players whilst their opponents had 14 at their disposal.

Houghton Regis scored their first from a run up the right wing after just two minutes.

For a period Lions held the home team at bay with tenacious defensive play by O'Connell, Thorne and Lancefield.

Occasionally Coates or Marshall made a probing run forward, only to be overwhelmed by the home team defenders.

Meanwhile, Houghton Regis steadily increased their goal tally to reach 5 by half-time.

Coates donned the goalie shirt, allowing Cavendish to add his strength to Lions' midfield.

Lions' determination earned them two corners, one shot just wide and another saved.

Dear (MOM) was outstanding in Lions' defence and a clearance off the line by Moriarty immediately followed by a save from Coates even had the opposition supporters applauding. Unfortunately defeat was inevitable for the spirited but outnumbered Lions team.

Source: EB Lions