Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on February 2, 2009

EB Lions Blues U8
St Martins Blues U8

EB Lions kicked off with a confidence that was to shine through for the entire game. Facing an accomplished side, the Lions channelled new energy into the game from the starting whistle.

Sam Carter, Toby McGee, Joe Rabey and Ollie West were on rotation for mid-field duties, and all made enterprising plays which manifested in some tantalising shots on goal. Forward Myles Frederick likewise found success with impressive runs into opposition territory, and within the first half netted an awesome goal. Solid saves from star keeper Cam Burchell kept the Lions heading for victory.

Joe Thorne, who picked up MoM honours, was on searing form in defence, along with Sam Bramston and James Glover, whose gritty determination maintained a clean slate up to one minute before the half time whistle when an unstoppable St Martins goal equalised for the visitors.

The second half remained goalless but the seesawing play from both teams thrilled spectators right up until the final whistle.

EB Lions U11 - 1
Beecroft Rovers U11 - 1

An in-form Lions side inched ahead of their talented visitors after the break when Dominic Ryan slotted in from ten yards, establishing a 1-0 lead. Beecroft responded and for a time bombarded the host team's goal, but it was only with ten minutes remaining that keeper Dan Kennel was, for once, unable to deny the visitors who drew level to 1-1.

Lions rallied with a succession of corner opportunities, any of which might have been on target. Vigorous attacking plays from Charlie Nevitt, Sean Woodhouse, Aaron Gauntlett, Will Juster and Alex Poynter all contributed to an almost overwhelming offensive strike, but in a match that swung back and forth, defenders Aarin Johnson, Adam Bradley and Tom Horner had their work cut out for them too. MoM Mason Ashby never missed a tackle, setting up a string of tidy passes to return the ball to a forward position time and again.

A last gasp effort to wrest victory from the game came as Chris McGee's strike hit the bar, but the final tally was a fair result for two determined teams who played with spirit.

EB Lions U13 Girls - 2
Leighton United - 0

Lions started strongly and with a goal from Hattie French after five minutes and a second from Megan Viljoen only four minutes later.

With the midfield of Darcy Ashby and Devon Ferguson dominating totally the Lions kept the pressure on Leighton who to their credit defended well, frustrating the Lions for the rest of the first half. In defence Katy Thiel and Eden Scott covered well when needed and pushed forward to try and increase the lead. In goal Nancy Oliver who was GoM) kept another clean sheet, her distribution of the ball is very often the start of another great move from the Lions. All three substitutes, Emily Hudson, Shannon Byrne and Elsa Kirkwood made an impact when they came on and helped keep the Lions in control.

In the second half uphill and against the wind the Lions again came close with French, Viljoen and Ashby all nearly scoring what would have been a well deserved third goal. The Lions can feel very satisfied with a great win in the local derby match. Again this match showed what a well disciplined and well organized team the Lions are.

Team: Oliver, Thiel, Scott, Ashby, Ferguson, Hudson, French, Viljoen, Kirkwood, Byrne.

Source: EB Lions