Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on March 16, 2009

EB Lions U8 Blues
Sundon Park Rangers U8

A brace of goals from MoM Joe Rabey and a third from Myles Frederick landed the hosts their first victory of 2009. Adept midfield work from Ollie West, Sam Carter, Toby McGee and Joe Thorne had the Lions in charge for most of the opening half, harrying the Rangers' defence with their marshalled style and organised passing.

The visitors emerged resurgent from the break however, maintaining a goal threat throughout the second half. Solid defending from Sam Bramston and James Glover neutralised opposing strikes for the most part, and the occasional shot that broke through was comfortably dealt with by keeper Cameron Burchill.

Lions will be looking to carry forward their momentum into this weekend's away clash with SKF Colts.

EB Lions U9 Reds - 1
St Martins - 3

After a great start with a goal after three minutes by Christie, the Lions were looking comfortable, with Nevitt and Oliver controlling midfield they had many more chances to increase their lead but a mixture of good saves and hard luck meant that the Lions couldn't do it.

Then against the run of play St Martin's scored the equaliser making it 1-1 at half time.

Lions made a couple of errors early in the second half and were punished for them going behind 1-3. Despite Roe and Christie doing plenty of work trying to pull the score line back, it was not going to happen. In their first game in defence for the Lions, Luff and De Meo settled into the team well and will be a great addition. Higgs did well in goal and was unlucky to concede three.

Team: Roe, Christie, Oliver, Nevitt, Higgs, Luff, Di Meo.

EB Lions U13 Girls - 3
Biggleswade - 2

This was always going to be a tough match against top of the division team who hadn't dropped a point. With only six minutes gone, the Lions were two down and then goalkeeper Nancy Oliver had to come off injured. Once the Lions settled they took control of the match and took the game to Biggleswade.

In defence Katy Thiel and Eden Scott dealt with anything that came their way. With two minutes to go before half time Megan Viljoen forced an error from a throw-in and Biggleswade scored an own goal and it was 1-2 at halftime.

Upfront Hattie French, Viljoen and Elsa Kirkwood always looked like they were going to score and went close on many occasions.

Substitute goalkeeper Shannon Byrne made a couple of great saves and by controlling midfield GoM Darcy Ashby, Devon Ferguson and Emily Hudson allowed the Lions to push forward and keep the pressure on.

Then with five minutes to go the Lions domination of the match paid off and French scored the equaliser and in the last minute with the Lions still pushing forward again it was French who scored the well deserved winner.

This match was a credit to a team who never give up, play some great football and got a well deserved result.

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

Source: EB Lions