Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on March 2, 2009

EB Lions U8 Blues
Bushmead Rovers U8

Lions were rightly confident ahead of Saturday's clash with arch-nemeses Bushmead Rovers, having turned in solid performances since their last meet. Having previously endured a drubbing at the hands of the tricky side, a drastically improved performance was called for.

Front men Myles Frederick and Toby McGee swooped in at every opening and threatened the keeper repeatedly. Defenders Sam Bramston, Joe Thorne and James Glover ensured an even slice of possession was retained throughout, effectively countering the blistering strikes launched by Bushmead forwards.

Nonetheless a sublime goal went in ahead of the break and Lions had some work to do in the second half. Covering midfield and other positions besides, Ollie West, Sam Carter and Joe Rabey were effective in neutralising a string of pacey attacks, and the Rovers were made to fight for every scoring opportunity.

Storming play by the Blues and a sparky attitude culminated in a much improved scoreline compounded by deserving MoM Cameron Burchell, whose diving saves far outshone the Bushmead goals.

EB Lions U9 Reds - 3
AFC Dunstable - 0

With only seven players available the Lions knew that they were going to have to work really hard to get a result, and what a result. From the first kick to the last the Lions were always in control of this match. After 8 minutes Findlay Christie scored the opening goal after some great play between George Oliver and Dax Roe. The Lions had many more chances before half time and only some good saves and the woodwork kept the score at 1-0. When Dunstable did get towards the Lions end goalie Toby Higgs looked confident and dealt with anything that came his way.

The second half started with Jack Nevitt and Oliver controlling midfield as they had done in the first half and it was only a matter of time before the Lions scored again and with some good passing from Nevitt and Roe it was Christie who finished the move off with a well taken goal. It was only five minutes later with a move starting from defence by Ryan Luff with a strong run forward that allowed Christie to complete a well deserved hat trick. Defender Tom Barbato had little to do playing the sweeper role and coped with the few chances that Dunstable created.

This was a great result for the Lions and now they can look forward to the League Cup Final next week.

AFC Luton - 6
EB Lions U11 - 0

Lions encountered a regimented and well discipline Luton side in their away fixture on Sunday, whose combined arsenal of controlled passing, accurate shooting and energetic pace proved overpowering in a nevertheless entertaining match.

Centre backs James Pratt and MoM Aarin Johnson adapted well to deny the home side on more than one ooccasion and, assisted by Tom Horner, Adam Bradley and Chris McGee, established a tidy defensive unit.

Even so keeper Dan Kennell was worked hard from the start, shutting out an enfilade of shots which could easily have doubled Luton's goal tally.

Emerging from the half time break 4-0 down Lions found revitalised momentum, midfielders Ben Roberts, Dominic Ryan and Sean Woodhouse effecting a series of goal opportunities, while right winger Charlie Nevitt completed a seemingly endless run past the Luton defenders, finishing with a slicing cross in front of goal for one of the plays of the match. Mason Ashby was tireless on the opposite wing, badgering the home side continuously to deliver the ball to rotating forwards Alex Poynter, Will Juster, Will Petherbridge and Aaron Gauntlett. Nonetheless Luton managed to net twice more taking their final score to an impressive six goals.

EB Lions U13 Girls - 1
Sandy Colts - 2

With a goal after six minutes from a corner by Darcy Ashby and scored by Hattie French and with the Lions in control of the match it looked like the they were going to have a great day, but five minutes later Sandy got the equaliser and the game was on. Despite having many chances to score it was Sandy with a minute left to half time who scored.

Although again in the second half it was the Lions who looked most likely to score they couldn't find the back of the net and the Lions ended up going home empty handed even though they were the stronger team. Had the Lions put their chances away they would have got the result that they so deserved. Eden Scott was awarded GoM for a really strong display in defence.

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

Source: EB Lions