Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on November 7, 2006

Luton Leagrave U8 - 4
EB Lions U8 - 0

Lions again played away last Saturday (November 4), this time to Luton Leagrave, at Sundon Park Junior School. There, the Lions suffered a 4-0 defeat, in spite of some very stout defending, particularly from Elliot Whitcombe, who was outstanding. Dylan Karavadna worked tirelessly at times as the lone forward.

The Lions played hard for the entire match, with Jack Cook making many magnificent saves and Dylan taking several well-placed corners, none of which, unfortunately, were converted to goals.

Lessons were learned from playing a very good side and this can only be of benefit in the future.

On the whole, in spite of the defeat, it was a very good effort, with Elliot deservedly being awarded the Man of the Match accolade.

The squad comprised: Jack Cook, Thomas Rainbow, Tom Phillips, Amber Walsh, Elliot Whitcombe, Archie Bunker, Charles Gamble, Finlay Paton, Callum Gardner, Dylan Karav.

61FC Yellows U9 - 0
EB Lions U9 - 3

The temperature may have dropped below freezing but there was a warm welcome at the 61FC ground in Luton and plenty of sunshine.

Dan Kennell, shaping up well in goal for the Lions, had to borrow a peaked cap from Chris McGee's dad for the first half so that he could see the ball coming!

Lions worked as a team throughout the first half, with great defensive play by Thomas Horner - earning him MOM for the first time. A throw in by Ben Roberts help set up the first goal from Neel Slatter. It was a cleanly struck, lofted ball which headed goal-wards and bounced over the keepers head.

Slatter's second, which came early in the second half, was a fine solo effort. He went round three players, cutting inside to place the ball low in the right hand corner. A great cross from Adam Bradley gave Slatter the chance to make his second hat-trick this season, which he did with a well placed header.

Playmaker Dom Ryan came close to scoring and the midfield and defence held their shape and moved the ball around to good effect. A deserved win for Lions which should move them up the table.

Ampthill Town Eagles U10 - 3
EB Lions Reds U10 - 2

For the second week in a row the Lions played well but returned from an away match with no points to show for their efforts. They were unlucky to fall behind after just three minutes when a clearance hit an Ampthill player and ricocheted into the net.

The Lions withstood early pressure and were matching Ampthill when the home side scored their second. However, just two minutes later the Lions pulled a goal back. Battling play by Ben Walsh won the ball down the left and he released Matt Glover who hit a low shot past the advancing keeper.

The Lions had a couple of good chances to equalise at the beginning of the second half but could not convert them.

Ampthill scored their third and a short while later the Lions lost goalkeeper Harry Rogers through injury.

In the last quarter of the match the Lions put the home side under pressure. Captain William Poole scored an excellent long-range shot but the Lions could not find the equaliser before the final whistle.

Thomas Lancefield had a great game but MoM was awarded to Charlie Slater who was superb both in defence and also as the stand in keeper.

Flitwick Eagles B U13 - 2
EB Lions U13 - 2

Lions were subjected to intense pressure straight away from Flitwick, but Lions' new boy James Thiel showed he was 'worth the money' as his defending was excellent.

The regular Lions' keeper, Charlie Oliver, had also returned and was his confident self. This was much needed as it was18 minutes before Lions could make a run down the left wing into the opposing half. Jack Coates was tumbled over by Flitwick, which led to a penalty, but Jonnie Moriarty's shot was saved.

The Lions were now on a roll with lots of attacks and Gus Thorne was notably dangerous.

Flitwick survived though and took the lead after 24 minutes with an excellent header. This advantage didn't last long, as an error by the Flitwick keeper gave the Lions an indirect kick which was duly slotted home by Gus.

Three substitutions at half-time by the Lions gave new heart to the away side and they easily took the lead with some nifty footwork by Jack culminating in a pass into the box which Andy Scott-Lewis slotted home in style.

In the last minute Flitwick levelled with a shot bouncing over the keeper's head as he went for the ball.

EB Lions U15 - 2
Dunstable St Mary's U15 - 4

Lions piled the pressure on straight away but it was the visitors who scored first.

An excellent corner from Martin Coates presented Rob Gadsden with the chance to score Lions' first, and he duly obliged.

Although Lions made most of the attacking play, St Mary's talented number nine was always ready to capitalise on their defensive mistakes and went on to score two more to complete his hat-trick.

Stephen Broughton raced in to slam the ball into the net for Lions during a goalmouth scramble, but just as Lions seemed to be on course to level the score number nine broke through the defence again to score his fourth.

In the second half Gareth Hemming came on for Lions and made an excellent job of marking the dangerous player out of the game. Dylan Taylor and Alex Kirkwood played well for Lions, but despite several near misses by Ed Poole of Lions and the visitors forcing Dean Clark to make some good saves, no further goals were scored. MoM went to Martin Coates for a series of impressive crosses and corners.

Source: EB Lions