Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions

Posted on November 9, 2009

EB Lions U9 Blues - 0
Crawley Green U9 - 4

Lions ended their unbeaten run on Saturday falling to a 0-4 defeat against Crawley Green. The result ill-reflected the tenacious efforts of the boys and their long spells of possession during a match which they controlled for the most part.

Dominating much of the opening half, the hosts were able to set up a panoply of goal shots, Joe Rabey brushing the crossbar more than once to maintain pressure on the visiting side.

MOM Joe Thorne and fellow defender Sam Bramston picked up their share of loose balls at the back but Crawley were able to land a long-range strike and pulled ahead before the break.

Cameron Burchill was well stretched as the second half got under way and despite the efforts of a mobile 011ie West and Sam Carter in midfield, Crawley were able to build on their lead. Toby McGee maintained a goal threat in the final 10 minutes but, despite a string of near misses, Lions were unable to get back into contention.

EB Lions U12 - 0
Clapham Colts U12 - 3

Making a bright start, Lions earned a pair of corners and carved out a handful of strike opportunities, culminating in a Chris McGee lob that sliced the crossbar.

Strong clearances from Aarin Johnson held off the Clapham attack until two goals fell in back to back.

Pressing forward, the hosts drove in towards goal, Alex Poynter and James Hurley battling for possessing at the goalmouth. Searing runs from Will Juster and Charlie Nevitt compounded the pressure on a waning Clapham side and Lions looked set to overturn the scoreline.

The visitors opened the second with a nice lob to go three up but smart keeping from Dan Kennel) and textbook defensive work from Mason Ashby, Dominic Ryan and MOM Jake Draper stemmed the flow allowing Lions to strike back on the counter. A looping Sean Woodhouse corner missed by a fraction and invigorating efforts from Aaron Gauntlett maintained the fight until the final whistle.

Source: EB Lions