Youth Soccer: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on April 4, 2006

Eaton Bray Lions U12 - 3
Ampthill Town Youth B U12 - 0

Despite having only 10 players Ampthill made a very spirited start, causing strong defending by the home side.

After eight minutes of this, a break by EB Lions led to the first goal. A free kick by Jonnie Moriarty was fumbled by the Ampthill keeper into the net.

Now in the lead, EB Lions made numerous good attacks but the second goal didn't arrive until the 30th minute as the Ampthill defence closed ranks very well. Sam Marshall's 30 yard run and left foot shot over the keeper was probably his goal of the season.

In the second half Ampthill meant business and only the well timed tackling of Gus Thorne and Ross Taylor stopped them from pulling a goal back. EB Lions survived to start stringing some good passes together and the culmination of this was the third goal - a stunning lobbed volley by Morgan O'Connell, helping to earn him MOM.

Ampthill were not downhearted and kept attacking but an away goal eluded them. For the final 10 minutes it was end to end play but the score line was not to change from 3-0.

Houghton Wanderers U14 - 3
Eaton Bray Lions U14 - 6

In a match dominated by the ferocious wind, Lions took advantage of the gale behind them with a great early goal by Rob Gadsden.

Minutes later a lofted ball was well controlled by Martin Coates who struck the ball home for Lions' second. A great cross by Rob to the far post was neatly tapped in by Stephen Broughton.

Dean Clark's goal-kick carried towards Wanderers' goal, their keeper misjudged it and Alex Kirkwood raced forward to score.

Alex Lay made an excellent clearance off the line and ran the full length of the pitch, deserving a goal for sheer audacity, but Wanderers' goalie had it covered. However, Wanderers managed to peg one back before half-time.

With the wind behind them in the second half, Wanderers fought back and scored another two. Shocked to see their lead diminished, Lions retaliated and a superb cross by Robbie Luck enabled Stephen to score his second. Finally, Charles Morris initiated a well worked attack on the left wing, passing to Martin who crossed the ball to allow Kirkwood to score his second.

Lions' MOM was Stephen Broughton for his impressive work-rate, but it was a superb team performance to overcome such difficult playing conditions.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 4 April 2006