Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on November 24, 2008

EB Lions U9 Reds - 3
AFC Luton - 0

The Lions started strongly, playing up the slope and with a bitter wind blowing across the pitch.

After five minutes George Oliver put the Lions ahead and for the rest of the first half the attack and midfield of Dax Roe, Jack Quigley, Jack Nevitt and Oliver dominated.

In defence Freddie Mines and Tom Barbato kept the back safe and when goalie Toby Higgs needed to do something he was always in control. At half time the Lions were 1-0 up.

After bringing on Charlie Giblin and Karl Shrowder at half time the Lions came close on many occasions and after 12 minutes Shrowder scored the Lions second and 7 minutes later Shrowder scored again to give the Lions a comfortable 3-0 win.

The Lions played some good passing football and moved forward strongly when in possession and defended well when needed.

Team: Roe, Quigley, Nevitt, Oliver, Barbato, Mines, Higgs, Giblin, Shrowder.

Maulden Magpies U11 - 7
EB Lions U11 - 0

Lions endured bitter conditions to halve their previous losing record against the Magpies.

The home team had netted a stunning 14 times in that last encounter so this weekend's 7-0 defeat reflected some progress in the Lions performance.

Lions began the opening half in earnest, but a sequence of difficult balls combined with slick conditions underfoot had the boys 3 goals down by the break. Nonetheless, keeper Dan kept his momentum and exhibited some quickfire saves, while bracing defence work from Tom, Adam and Aarin put paid to most of Maulden's attacking drives.

MoM Ben displayed characteristic grit to harry the Magpies' strikers and played a vital role in safeguarding a scoreline which might have plunged still further against the visitors.

A strong midfield, comprising Charlie, Will J, Mason and Chris showed mobility moving forwards as well as in retreat, while Sean made a succession of threatening runs to fire in a handful of shots, slicing wide by the narrowest of margins.

Rotating front men Aaron G and Alex contributed their usual determination to keep the Maulden defenders on their guard throughout, but ultimately Lions were outgunned by the determined and consistent play of their opponents.

Source: EB Lions