Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on April 14, 2008

EB Lions U8 Reds - 2
Luton Borough Dragons U8 - 0

With two key players missing this week Lions knew they would have to work hard to get a result and did just that. Away from home and with a strong wind and the slope against Lions in the first half they expected to have to battle for every ball.

Approaching half time Lions got a well deserved goal scored by Karl.

With no substitutes Lions started the second half with the same formation. After ten minutes Dax got a great goal straight from a corner. After that it was all Lions and they could have scored many more but with a packed defence and some good saves from the Dragons' keeper the match ended 2-0.

MoM George had a good game as did Freddie, Charlie and Lee. In goal Harrison dealt with anything that came his way.

This was a good team effort that could have seen a much higher score line.

Luton Leagrave Orange U9 - 3
EB Lions U9 - 3

Two long punts downfield saw EB Lions lose two soft early goals.

An excellent fightback was rewarded when Jack Cook fired in from long range and Jonathan Evans netted following up a cross shot pushed out by the keeper. EB Lions keeper Edward Lee had to make a couple of good saves diving bravely at the feet of a Leagrave striker.

Another long range effort from Jack Cook sneaked in just under the bar to put EB Lions 3-2 up just before half time.

After early second half exchanges EB Lions failed to clear their lines and were pegged back to 3-3 with a speculative effort through a crowd of players. Both teams had good chances in the final 10 minutes especially from Man of the Match Archie Bunker whose rasping shot was well saved but ultimately neither side could press home the advantage. A draw was a fair result.

EB Lions Girls U1O - 2
Woburn Lions Girls U1O - 1

After a three-week break the Lions were raring to go. They were soon in control of the game with some excellent solo runs, intricate passing and tackling in mid-field by Mel, Megan and Georgia. The breakthrough came with GoM Megan scoring as a result of a solo run from the halfway line.

Lions showed a loss of concentration allowing Woburn to equalise. They continued to soak up the pressure with some brilliant saves from Amber and with Holly and Liberty, in defence, cutting out many chances and providing great back up to the midfield.

Up front Hannah and Steph kept the Woburn defence busy but the telling goal for Lions came from a great run by Mel resulting in a cross to Georgia who made it 2-1.

All the Lions girls played brilliantly and showed great awareness in their passing play and also team spirit in the way they tackled and provided support throughout the game.

EB Lions U12 Girls - 0
Sacred Heart U12 Girls - 2

Lions were playing the undefeated, top of the league team but the match was evenly balanced with Katie and Devon doing well in Lions' defence.

Darcy, who was really strong in midfield, played alongside Elsa (GoM) and Emily and Lions controlled the game. Up front Megan and Hattie both had chances to score and were unlucky not to. After fifteen minutes Sacred Heart got their first goal and ten minutes later, from a speculative shot, they scored again.

Lions made substitutions, started the second half strongly and continued to dominate right up to the final whistle. Although they hit the post a couple of times the ball would not go in. Beth and Shannon both helped to keep Lions' defence solid and in goal Nancy continued to play well. This was another great team effort and Lions continue to play good football and will only get better.

Source: EB Lions