Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on September 29, 2008

EB Lions U8 Blues
Sacred Heart U8 Sapphires

Lions received an early wake up call as The Sapphires slammed home a loose ball within a few minutes of kick-off, forcing defenders James Glover and Joe Thorne to draw together and effectively seal the gaps.

A string of fine saves from Cameron Burchill cut off any further efforts at goal for the remainder of the half, freeing an adept Lions attack force to go on the offensive. Ollie West and Toby McGee both saw some goal mouth action, but it was Sam Carter that sliced an incredible ball past the keeper. Midfielder Sam Bramston doggedly stuck to Sacred Heart forwards as they upped the pressure, and Lions continued to press, making some potent attacks.

The midfield trio skipped past the Sacred Heart defence to leave them ball watching.

Ultimately though, even Lions steadfast defence and Cameron's acrobatic saves could not prevent a Sacred Heart goal in the last few minutes.

EB Lions U11 - 4
Barton Rovers U11 - 5

Lions went 0-3 down within 25 minutes, but throughout the opening half maintained a goal threat, which Sean would eventually capitalise on minutes before the half time whistle. Still it had been a torrid 30 minutes, with an under-pressure Dan parrying hard to salvage a scoreline which might have swung much further in favour of the visitors.

Following the break, Lions found a new gear and defenders James, Tom, Charlie and MoM Aarin refused to capitulate, holding off any further strikes and firing shots deep into the Barton half, where they were expertly fielded by forwards Adam and Will P, as well as mobile mid fielders Chris, Aaron G, Alex P, Sean, Will J and Ben.

A brace of searing goals from Adam and Charlie had the Lions on level pegging, and the team looked set to capitalise on a new found impetus. Still the Barton side were not finished, and returned fire with two of their own, pulling ahead. A final strike from Sean brought the scoreline almost level, but ultimately the clock ran down and the home team were forced to concede a narrow loss.

Harlington Juniors U12 - 6
EB Lions U12 - 1

Lions were well beaten by league leaders Harlington who maintained their 100% start to the season.

The boys were 0-2 down within ten minutes but then matched Harlington for the remainder of the first half. Captain Scotty Mercer went close with a well hit free kick. Just before the break keeper Harry Rogers made a great save tipping a shot over the bar. Harlington added a third early in the second half before Scotty immediately scored an amazing goal for the Lions.

From the restart the ball was passed back to Scotty who hit an unbelievable strike from well inside his own half. The ball took one bounce over the keeper and into the net. Both Matt Bramston and Ed McBrearty went close but the Lions could not match the strong play of Harlington.

Lions MoM was Jayden Newman for an energetic gutsy display on the Lions right.

Source: EB Lions