Alvechurch Lions United (Under 11)
Kingshurst Sporting 1 Alvechurch Lions United B 2
Our first match of the season was away to Kingshurst Sporting, a tough side that we played last season. From the kick off we put them under pressure with some good passing from the back and we created our first chances with Bailey hitting the woodwork twice. We kept on piling on the pressure and James was on hand to score the first goal.
With more pressure on Kingshurst we could have been 3 goals up but we had a little lapse and Kingshurst hit back with the equalizer. The second half saw us come out stronger with better link up play from the back & midfield. We pushed on and a shot from the 18 yard box was picked up by Louis to give us a 2-1 win.
A brilliant start to the season. WELL DONE LIONS!!
Supporters Player- Harrison.
Managers Player- Philip.
Next match Home.
Alvechurch Lions United vs Maypole United. 10.30 kick off. 10 o'clock meet at Hopwood - Referee is Peter Rippington.
Alvechurch Lions United 'B' 10 Maypole United 0.
The first home match of this season was against Maypole United. A side we played in a cup match last season with a 1-0 win. From the kick off the lions were attacking, Maypole fought back creating a few chances in the first few minutes. The lions came back strong and with some excellent passing we scored our first goal. Jack provided us with some excellent corners which saw us score our 2nd goal.
With some superb playing out from the back we were on the attack again, a good ball through to Ollie saw him score his first goal for the lions. With more pressure on Maypole our wingers Joe & James were making some terrific runs, with some tremendous crosses being put into the box allowing Louis to get on the score sheet. Another excellent corner saw Jake score his first goal. At half time we were leading 5-0.
We started off the 2nd half as we left the first. More attacking football from the back with Jamie Evans & Phil linking up well in the centre releasing the ball to the midfield. Due to Jamie Lucas & Jack working really well with the wingers more attacks followed. More superb passing from midfield sets Ethan off on a run to goal but the shot was blocked leaving Jake to score another on his way to his hatrick. Joe & Bailey added to the goals with 2 each, The match by now was well & truly won but that did not stop the lions trying to get more goals. Our goal keeper Harrison did not have to do a lot today, but what he did have to do he did really well. WELL DONE THE LIONS!!!!
At the end of the match the referee commented on the standard of play from all the team. In particular the standard of the crosses and corner kicks. He said they would not have been out of place on an ENGLAND SIDE. BECKHAM would'nt have done better.
AN AWESOME PERFORMANCE.
Supporters Player: Jake
Managers: Ollie. + the rest of the team.
A big thank you to Rhonda & Emma and any other helpers making drinks!
Next Match:
Alvechurch Lions United 'B' VS Kings Heath Sports. Meet 11.00 o'clock, Kick off 11.30 hopwood. Ref Pete Gwilliams?
League Shield
Alvechurch Lions United 'B' 3 Kings Heath Sports 4
Our first cup game of this season was against Kings Heath Sports. The Lions got off to a great start, passing and moving the ball about creating lots of space & chances, they played as a team. There had been some fantastic passing from the back through to the midfield then out to the right wing during the first ten minutes of the game. Joe made a great run putting their defence under pressure and a throw was conceded. A quick throw -in found Ethan and a great right foot strike found the top left hand corner of the goal. More good play from the back and we were on the attack again, this time down the left with James making a tremendous run and a shot giving us a corner. Jack stepped up and delivered a perfect corner which found Jake, who headed it in for a 2-0 half time lead.
Second half we came out a completely different team. Kings Heath were on the attack from the off, putting us under some real pressure. After 5 minutes in, with a good strike they pull a goal back.The Lions of the first half have gone and are more like kittens!! The battling for the ball had gone in midfield, and a big gap between the defence and midfield had opened up. All the pressure was on our defence & goalkeeper, who had made some great saves & kicks in the first half. We got a break and good play through midfield saw the ball come back for Jamie Lucas with a great strike in the top right corner. We were 3-1 up, but Kings Heath came back at us and a great long range shot from them went over the keeper into the top corner, 3-2. A corner saw us concede another goal, 3-3. With 12 seconds to go a great strike finds the net and it was 4-3.
A disappointing second half from all the team. A match we thought we had won in the first half. Remember lads we play for 50 mins not just 25. WE TRAIN AS A TEAM, LOSE AS ATEAM, WIN AS A TEAM. BUT MOST IMPOTANTLY PLAY AS A TEAM!!!!!
Supporters player: Jamie Lucas
Managers Player: James
Next Match:
Alvechurch Lions United B vs Local Leagues. League match meet at hopwood 11.00, Kick off 11.45. Ref Pete Rippington.
Match called off!!!!!
Thank you to all parents and players for there patience!!!!!
Next Match:
Maypole United Vs Alvechurch Lions United B. Away Match League Cup Match. 10.00 meet, kick off 10.30. Greenleigh Road, Yardley Wood. B14 4JL.
Maypole United 1 Alvechurch Lions United 3
Our second cup match this season is against Maypole United. On a very hot October sunday, we get off to a good start passing & moving the ball about putting the pressure on Maypole for the first 10 minutes. We created a few chances but not enough to score. Then for some reason we lost our shape & battling element, allowing Maypole back into the game. For the next 15 minutes we were pushed back into our own half. At one point in the 1st half I counted their players to see if they had an extra man!! Our keeper in the 1st half is kept busy and has a lot of saves to make which he does really well.
More 1st half pressure from Maypole & the Lions being unable to clear our lines means that Maypole score the first goal 1-0. Just before half time we almost concede a second goal if not for a great goal line clearance by Ollie.
The second half sees the Lions re-group with a much better performance, playing the football we know we can play. Our shape was back, the passing was back, the determination seemed back. We applied the pressure and straight away passes from the back were finding the midfield which meant Joe & James were able to make some great runs. With our defence playing higher up the pitch, they were linking up with the midfielders & forwards. A great ball form Jamie Lucas sets up Jake for our 1st goal 1-1. Our tails go up looking for a 2nd. We don't have to wait long before Ollie adds a second with a great shot 2-1. More attacks follow with the ball being played form the back out and we look a much stonger unit alround. The ball is being crossed into our forwards who are making their keeper work hard. But with all the pressure a cracking shot from Joe finds the net 3-1.
A GREAT 2nd HALF PERFORMANCE - YOU SHOWED GREAT FIGHTING SPIRIT.
REMEMBER NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL THE MATCH IS OVER. ALWAYS KEEP BATTLING. A GREAT START TO THE SEASON KEEP IT GOING!!!!!
Supporters Player : Jamie Lucas.a
Managers Player : Joe.
Next match: League
Alvechurch Lions United Vs Fairfield Villa. Home match Hopwood. 10 oclock meet 10.30 kick off. Ref Pete Gwilliams.
ALVECHURCH LIONS 0 FAIRFIELD VILLA 1
Another league match sees us up against local team Fairfield Villa. After last week's win in the cup we are looking to keep our unbeaten run in the league going! We start off the match ok, but not really stamping our authority on the game. We put them under pressure for the first 5 or 10 minutes & a shot from Joe just hits the bar. After that attack we SWITCH OFF LIKE WE HAVE IN PREVIOUS MATCHES!!
We lose our shape and nobody wants to take control of the ball and keep possession, the ball is just being kicked around with no thought or intention. An attack from Fairfield and poor defending from us sees them go 1-0 up before half time. With the half time whistle imminent, me & Mike are hoping a good team talk will do something to turn the match around??
The second half kicks off and we hope for a second half performance like last week. Unfortunately we have come out with the same attitude as in the 1st half, we just seem unable to do the basics at all. We win some corners which are well delivered, but nobody wants to attack them, we just back away?? When we lose the ball nobody wants to put in a decent tackle to win it back, so Fairfield are still on top and are playing the ball around much better than us. As the match goes on, we do not improve or look like scoring. The ball is still being kicked about between our players like a bad game of tennis!! We are still trying to attack Fairfield but when it comes to the end product we just look scared to have a shot or pass a ball!!
Thankfully, the ref blows the whistle for full time. We lose 1-0. A very poor, lackluster perfomance by 95% of the team. Lets hope that this performance is a one off!! Mike & I have not taught you all to play football in that manner. We are looking for a huge improvement for next week's training & match. We want to see a more DETERMINED, FIGHTING, ATTITUDE. A VERY POOR PERFOMANCE TODAY LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supporters Player : Harrison.
Managers Player : Philip.
Next Match: League.
Alvechurch Lions Vs Blossomfield. Home match. 10 oclock meet 10.30 kick off. Ref Pete Gwilliams.
Alvechurch Lions United 1 Blossomfield 0
A league match against a tough side, Blossomfield. After last week's performance, I think everyone is hoping for a much better one this week. We had a full squad and a much better attitude before the match. We started off pressing Blossomfield in their half, putting the techniques learnt at training into practice. With the first 15 minutes gone, the match is very close, possession is about 50-50. We start making some runs down the wings putting Blossomfield under more pressure, but unfortuntely we are unable to score. After more pressure, we get a few corners, which are delivered in beautifully, but we can't get past their defence. Blossomfield then puts us under pressure but a few great saves from Harrison and a solid defence means we go into half time 0-0.
As the second half kicks off, we hope to keep the same attitude with a sense that we can win the match. The Lions start attacking from the off, passing the ball around, trying to find a weakness in Blossomfield's defence. We have a few shots but nothing to really trouble their goalkeeper, but at least we are keeping them in their half. A few substiutions follow and we bring on our new signing, Jack. We have him playing up front with a view to adding more strength and height in the attack. However, Blossomfield are not giving up without a fight and a few quick breaks down the right wing sees some brilliant defending from our back four and keeps us in the match. Another couple of attacks from Blossomfield and we see one off the best saves of the season by Harrison, palming the ball from his near post around to his outside post, stopping a sure to be goal. Another couple of substitutions in midfield adds a bit more pace and we try to get the win. With 6 minutes left, we break from the back to the midfield and Jake is on hand to score. With our spirits up, we go after goal number 2 but Blossomfield still want to get a draw so we have to absorb a bit more pressure for the last 2 minutes. The final whistle goes and we hold on to a 1-0 win.
WELL DONE LADS WE PLAYED LIKE A PROPER TEAM, LOTS MORE COMMUNICATION ON THE PITCH. WE DID THE BASICS MUCH BETTER. A GREAT TEAM PERFORMANCE, LETS KEEP IT GOING.
Supporters Player: Jack Smiley
Managers Player: Ethan
Next Match: Away: League. Bournville United Vs Alvechurch Lions United B. Meet @ 14.00, k,off 14.30. Pebble Mill pitches. Kitchener road B29 7QE. The best place for parking is Holders Lane side, off Moor Green Lane B13 8NL. Left across cricket pitch & over bridge to the pitch. He belives Lyndon Road & the Pershore Road are CLOSED. So if you go straight down the Alster Road through Kings Heath, at the end turn left at the lights onto Queensbridge Road, that should take you down to the holders lane entry.
Bournville F.C 3 Alvechurch Lions 1.
A league match sees us away at Bourneville. With only a squad of 12 for this match it will be a tough match having played Bourneville over the last few seasons we know they can be a tricky side to play. They kick off and the Lions start off really well going on the attack straight away and putting alot of pressure on Bournville but we do not create many chances. We have the advantage in the 1st half as we are playing down wind and with the wind blowing quite strong, their goal kicks are not going as far. We were not switched onto the conditions caused by windy weather at first and we must be aware of in future - if there is a goal kick players should always turn and face the goal kick. Keeping up the pressure, we make some great runs down the wings and through the middle. The goalkeeper & defence are having a very quiet 1st half as the game is being played 95% in their half. We break through the middle and a great ball from Louis finds Bailey who scores just before half time 1-0.
The second half kicks off & this time we are kicking into the wind so we need to be much more aware of the change of play. But in this half, Bourneville are attacking us and our defence come under some strong pressure very early on. We deal with the first wave of attacks but we can't seem to get out of our half. Then we have a goal kick, we seem to fail to read where the ball is going & we are standing to far up the pitch. The ball goes straight to the opposition, their player has a shot at goal which goes through the keepers hands 1-1. We try to attack through the middle and the wings but we do not put pressure on their keeper. They break again but nobody closes the player down, he shoots and the keeper gets a hand to it but it goes in goal, injuring our keeper. He has to go off so there was a big change in midfield as Bailey was needed in goal. We switch off again and are no longer playing good football. Jamie Evans has to leave the match and we are down to 11 players. We pay the price as Bourneville break again down the right, we fail to close down the shot and they score 3-1.
Not a good second half perormance at all we need more of a determined attitude and more concentration during the game. We lost our fighting spirit. LETS TURN IT AROUND FOR OUR NEXT GAMES!!!!!!!!!
Suppoters Player: Ethan
Managers Player: Bailey
Next Match: League Away Fairfield Villa Vs Alvechurch Lions United B. Meet 10.00 oclock k/off 10.30 Alvechurch Middle school B48 7TA.
Fairfield Villa 0 Alvechurch Lions United B 1
A second league match of this season against Fairfield Villa should prove to be a great match and it does not disappoint. After a poor performance last week everyone is hoping the Lions of old turn up for this match and they do!!! From the start, we are on the attack, pressing Fairfield back into their half. Fairfield then have a couple of attacks on our goal but a suberb back four made up of Jamie Lucas, Philip, Jamie Evans & Jack Smiley are quick to deal with it. Winning the ball, they keep posession and play out to the midfield. Ethan & James make some brilliant runs down the wings making Fairfield play the ball out for a throw-in and its great to see that we are taking quick throw-in's, catching Fairfield napping! We keep them in their own half with plenty of pressure being applied, some great through balls being put through from Jake & Bailey giving our forwards Ollie & Louis balls to chase. We play with great skill and energy, surely we will score?? We do!!! A substitution is made with Jack Norbury coming on to give us some height and strength up front. With a couple of great balls down the right to Ethan, over to Louis who puts a great ball across the box for Bailey to slot home. Our goal keeper Harrison having a very quiet 1st half (which is what we like!!!) 1-0.
Second half and hoping the Lions don't switch off and that they come out still fighting. We do, our tails are up and we are on the attack straight away. We win the ball & with some great passing moves we are straight into Fairfield's half having a few shooting chances, but they are charged down. This time we are reading the game alot better from goal kicks and throw-in's! We are standing in all the correct places and our hunger to win the game has far from gone. The midfield are battling for every ball, and with the defence supporting we have time and space to play the ball out which we are doing really well creating more chances, we are very unlucky not to score!! We play like a well oiled machine, everybody knows their place and where they are on the pitch. Again some great balls are played through for the forwards to chase and there is a goal mouth scramble but unfortunately no goal. Then a late break from Fairfield gives us a last minute scare but Harrison deals with it comfortably, The ball is kicked out and the whistle blows 1-0 win.
WELL DONE LADS A TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE. WE BATTLED FOR EVERYTHING TODAY AND WE PLAYED AS A TEAM. THE SCORE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE. THATS THE STANDARD WE ARE LOOKING FOR.
Mangers Player: Ethan
Suppoters Player: Bailey
Plus a Great Captain's performance Jack Smiley.
Next Match: Cup Match Home. Alvechurch Lions Vs Local Leagues. Details to follow. Meet @ 10 o'clock. k,off 10.30 ref Joe Hearn.
Alvechurch Lions United B 3 Local Leagues 0
A 3rd round cup match sees us against Local Leagues. After last week's performance, we should be going into this week's match with great confidence. Local Leagues turned up with only 8 players meaning our confidence should have gone up a few more notches and with our team at full strength, this should have psychologically already given us a 1-0 lead. However, when the match kicked off we were not ready for the determination of Local Leagues who came out very strong and put our defence under some early pressure which we dealt with rather nervously. Considering we had 3 extra players on the pitch we were playing a very tight formation, all very close together and not using the width of the pitch. This meant that we were leaving big gaps over the pitch and Local Leagues were able to attack us. Once again, we did not do the basics of keeping possession, passing, and moving into space. When we did attack Local Leagues, it was with so little confidence, running at them without the speed and determination to score. When the half time whistle blows it leaves us thinking was it us that had only got 8 men, not the opposition????
After a half time team talk we are hoping our players are going out a lot more fired up than the first half. We kick off and are attacking down the right which creates a couple of chances but they are put wide. Local Leagues are not giving up though and they keep coming back at us. A run into our box has our defence on the back foot but a strong challange by both the Jamies prevents a certain goal. Our midfield keep hold of the ball and James makes a great pass from the left to Jake who puts it across to Joe and he puts it in the bottom corner 1-0. We are now showing a bit more urgency and go on the attack again. A strong Local League defence stops our attack, losing the ball means we turn to our defence who we deal with it a bit more confidently. We are now trying to play more from the back using the width. Then a great ball over the defence to Jack Norbury who controls it well and finishes with confidence 2-0, his first goal for the Lions well done. But Local Leagues still come on the attack winning a free kick on the edge of the area which is struck well forcing a great save from Harrison. Another attack from the Lions produces a goal from Jake after a shot was saved by the keeper he followed it up scoring a good goal 3-0. The final whistle goes a win for the Lions. WELL DONE!!
Not our best performance by any means. Yes it was a 3-0 win. But remember they only had 8 PLAYERS?? It really should have been a more convincing win by us. LETS REMEMBER LETS USE THE SPACE ON THE PITCH AND MORE DETERMINATION.
Managers Player: Philip Roden.
Supporters Player: Philip Roden.
Next Match: League Match. Home. Alvechurch Lions Vs Castle Bromwich Colts. Details to follow. 10.00 meet, 10.30 k,off. Ref Peter Rippington. Come on the LIons!!!
This weeks match sees us playing top of the table Castle Bromwich Colts. After last weeks win, we are looking to keep the momentum going but I feel that for this match we will need to bring our A game. The match kicks off and we go straight in there, stamping our intent on the game. We keep possession and start to attack but a strong Castle Bromwich defence deal with it well. The attack by us then soon turns into defence as Castle Bromwich break quickly down the centre, however our strong defence deal with it well. We gain possession and we attack, but it seems as if we have forgotten how to score goals, as a break through the middle of the pitch from the defence to midfield creates a chance, a shot that is not followed up goes begging. We start playing some good football at both ends of the pitch and we seem to be more of a threat down the wings, using our pace and this appears to be causing Castle Bromwich a problem. We have a couple more attacks on their goal unfortunately leading to nothing. Even some well delivered corners are not attacked and It looks like we will be going in at half time all square. However, a quick break from Castle Bromwich and a well placed shot puts them ahead. Sadly, we did not close the shot down fast enough. 0-1
At 0-1 down, the match is not over but we need the Lions to come out for the 2nd half with their heads up and fighting to get back into the match and luckily we do! A strong start to the 2nd half is due to us putting more pressure on Castle Bromwich. The pressure we were putting on them down the wings pays off as a well struck shot from Joe finds the back of the net. We are back in the match. The game is now very close and quite open with one team on the attack then the other. We suffer a couple of scares when Castle Bromwich go on the attack, but a few good saves and some good defending keeps us in the game. We then win a corner, it is delivered perfectly but we fail to attack it, we all turn our backs??? Castle Bromwich attack us down the right hand side, there is a battle with our defence and they win a corner. It is delivered in well, we don't attack the ball to clear it, but a well placed header finds the net. 1-2. Our heads drop slightly but we are still in the match. We attack them again, this time down the left and a shot from James is hit just wide of the post. Castle Bromwich come at us again down the right and their player cuts inside, into the box. Harrison comes out to close the angle down but a cool finish in the bottom corner. 1-3. A good game by both teams. I think we just did not take our chances when we were attacking . We also did not close down players quickly enough in both normal play and from set plays!!
Managers Player: Jamie Evans.
Supporters Player: Joe Humphreys.
Alvechurch Lions United 1 Castle Bromwich Colts 3
Next Match: League Match. Alvechurch Lions Vs Kingshurst Sporting. 10 oclock meet, K,off 10.30. Ref Peter Rippington. Come on the Lions!!!
Our second match against Kingshurst for this season. With Kingshurst looking for revenge as we got the win at the start of the season. After last weeks tough match we are also looking for a good performance and a win? The match kicks off, we get off to a promising start passing the ball around very well. But again we are not creating many chances when we go on the attack,. But like our last match it is down the wings both left & right that we start to trouble Kingshurst, our pace is starting to put pressure on there defence. Especially when we pass the ball from the left to the middle then over to the right, this creates a great chance. But unfortunately the shot hits the side netting. Just when we think we are comortable and in control of the match Kingshurst go on the attack testing our midfielders & defence to the limit but with a determinde attitude our back 4 deal with it well. Our goal keeper is also called upon a few times to deal with some balls played over the top of our defence, which he deals with comfortably. Some great balls through to our forwards to run onto create more chances but again we are not able to thurn them into goals. So when the half time whistle goes the score is 0-0. a pretty even 1st half.
So as we kick off for the 2nd half we are confident of a good result after the 1st half performance. we just need to convert a few more attacks into goals. but as it is kingshurst come out very strong putting us under some pressure. They attack our 18 yard box we have players back in numbers but we hasterly clear our lines. Which sees us under more pressure which again is not confidently cleared. we ride those scarey few moments and break up field our selves down the left hand side with Ben winning us a corner. This again is delivered perfectly, but again nobody attacks the ball? From that attack we are now trying to get back and deffend with kingshurst now attacking us. This time we fail to clear our lines and a shot finds the net 0-1. We do not give up still putting pressure on Kingshurst again we try and build from the back playing the ball out wide to the midfield we have several chances but no one wants to have a shot. The match now is open we are now going from attack to defence very quickly. This time our defence are forced to put the ball out for a corner. it is delivered in well but we do not attack the ball to clear it, a goal is scored 0-2. With not long to go we are left thinking about the missed chances we had in both halves.
A good performance with some good skill shown. But we have got to start attacking the ball a lot more when ATTACKING & DEFENDING. WE ALSO NEED GOALS!! with us attacking the ball more this will create them.
Managers Player: Joe & Bailey.
Supporters Player: Jamie Evans.
Alvechurch Lions United 0 Kingshurst Sporting 2.
Next match: League Match. Away Match. 10.00 meet, kick off 10.30. Greenleigh Road, Yardley Wood. B14 4JL.
Maypole United 1 Alvechurch Lions 0
Although we had already had two good results against Maypole United we knew that this was going to be a much harder game as we only turned up with 10 men today and Maypole have improved as the season progressed. Despite this Alvechurch started off with a very positive performance. Bailey and Jake battled in the middle of the pitch, controlling this area and moved the ball around well to bring James and Ben into the game. Ben started to show what he can do when given space together with his speed and James was back at his best dominating the left side with his speed, determination and ball control. It was also good to see the full backs (Jack & Jamie) following up and supporting the wingers. Louis was on his own up front but kept the pressure on their defence giving them no time on the ball. He worked well with the midfield giving them a target to aim at as well as laying it off to them as they came up to support. Pity you did not have a partner today. On the few occasions when Maypole did attack the defence were very effective with the full backs Jamie & Jack closing down moves on the wings and Phil and Jamie protecting the middle and supporting the full backs when required. Phil was also holding the ball, looking up and laying off some great passes to the wings. As this was going on Ethan had to keep up his concentration, quickly collecting the ball when it did run through into our box and delivering some great kicks up the pitch. Good moves, a great corner from Jack and more attacking football could not deliver the goal this play deserved so it came as a surprise when Maypole managed to find a way through a hard working Alvechurch team scoring from 6 yards out just one minute before the break.line.
Maypole started the second half spurred on by their goal and for the first 10 minutes gave us a hard time but plenty of hard work by the four defenders and Bailey now in goal stopped Maypole from increasing their lead. As the second half continued Jake and Ethan started to gain more of the ball in the middle of the park and we started to create chances again. Louis kept moving and chasing up front. James pressured down the left and on the other side Ben showed his speed in setting up a great opportunity with a cross towards the end that deserved better. A corner in the final few minutes gave us another opportunity but as we have seen in recent games we just do not seem to be able to find the back of the net. With only 10 men I could not fault anyone’s performance today. You played as a team moving forward as a unit and defended together. The work rate was one of the best this season and I believe that you ten deserved a result today. The Team did everything asked of them today other than score the goal that this football deserved.Thanks to the parents for some wonderful support today and Paul for helping in the warm-up and on the touch
Supports Man of the Match: Jack Smiley & Jamie Lucas
Managers Man of the Match: James
Next Match: Open Cup Match Away. Arden Forest. Meet 12.oclock K,off 12.30. Co-Op ground Barrows Lane, Yardley. B26 1SA. 4th Round Match.
Arden Forest 6 Alvechurch Lions 0
This weeks match is a 4th round open cup match against Arden Forest, a team in division 1. After last years run in the cup our hopes were high. We had been drawn against teams in higher divisions and beaten them. So with a good performance last week we are confident that we can put in another good performance this week with a win and progress to the next round of the cup. But the weather was cold wet & windy also the pitch was on a slope & probably the biggest pitch we had played on so far this season. The match kicks off which sees the lions with the early advantage kicking down hill, this is something we need to take advantage of and get a couple of early goals. For the first 10 minutes we kept a well organised Arden Forest at bay. Our defence were dealing with there attacks well phil & Jamie were strong in the middle of defence & Jamie & jack on the left & right back positions. Our midfiled players James, Joe, Ethan & Ben were trying to use there speed and skill to get our forwards Bailey & Jake to get that important early goal. But as of the last few games we were attacking but not getting any shots on target. With ten minutes of the match gone we were holding our own. Until Arden forest break down the left side crossing the ball in towards our box. Once again we try to kick at a moving ball, which is missed a goal for Arden Forest. Our heads go down we lose our shape they keep attacking but and 2 more goals follow. Luckly the half time whistle goes. Time to re-group?
The whistle blows for the start of the second half Arden Forest come out even more fired up than the first. We are put under pressure straight away which is nervously dealt with. The Lions get contol of the ball we try to attack but lose posession very quickly. At the moment we are playing kick and rush football? we are letting Arden Forest do what they want at the minute. The Lions attack again but we bearly getting over the halfway line before we lose the ball, but the worsed thing is we are not tracking back to win it back. Two more attacks from Arden Forest sees 2 more goals one goal a stunning long range shot. By now we have lost our shape and confidence turning our backs on the ball not controlling the ball first before passing or running with it. When we do run with the ball we are running into their players not into space. At the moment most of the players look as if they don't want to be there. Another attack from Arden Forest Sees to of our players injured Jamie Evans & Harrison they both have to come off. We also see Louis & Ollie on the pitch. Louis up front helping jake, While Ollie at left back. Ollie is kept very busy with us unable to get the ball over the halfway line. Louis and Jake are not seeing much of the ball at all, also they need to come into midfield to help out. Bailey is now playing in goal for the injured Harrison. Another attack from Arden sees a poor clearance form Bailey hit the attacker and re-bound into his goal. ( should have used his hands ) The whistle blows to end what was a VERY POOR PERFORMANCE FROM US.
I BELIVE IF WE HAD PLAYED EVEN HALF AS GOOD AS WE CAN PLAY WE COULD HAVE GOT A RESULT TODAY!!!!
Supporters player: Ethan.
Managers Player: NONE.
Next Match: League Away Blossomfield Vs Alvechurch Lions United. Widney Lane, Solihull B91 3JY. Blossomfield Club. Meet at 13.00. K,off 13.30.
Blossomfield 1 Alvechurch Lions 1
After the big defeat together with a poor performance in the cup last week we were hoping that a different Lions team would turn up this week. We knew it would be a hard task to gain a result as Blossomfield are a top team and we would be without two influential players, Jake & Phil.Right from the moment the players turn up on this cold, windy and wet afternoon they showed a very positive attitude during the warm up. From the kick-off the game started with some great football being played by both teams and our wide players, Joe and James, back on form and making full use of the width of this pitch. In the middle Ethan battled away in his usual determined manner and Ben covered lots of ground both helping defend and getting up to support the forwards. Louis was our target man who put in an excellent performance with his holding, laying off the ball and then getting into the box. Ollie supported him well covering lots of ground with and without the ball not giving the defenders a moments rest. A much more positive start. Blossomfield started to create their own opportunities but Jamie Lucas and Jack covered the wings well and then found the time and space to also support Joe and James. There was also a big improvement with our throw-in’s. Bailey playing at centre back for the first time was in the thick of the action and Jamie Evans quickly covering as required. It was good to see the defence playing high up the pitch with confidence and when the ball did come over the top Harrison was quick to pick up or clear with Jamie Evans shielding the ball back to him on a couple of occasions. Then from a Blossomfield corner we failed to attack and clear the ball then were slow to close down. In the end from the pressure we helped put the ball into our own net. After so much good football a few seconds had cost us again. As the half time break approached our positive football forced Blossomfield conceded a free kick about 30 yards out. Our forwards and midfielders gathered in the penalty area ready to put pressure on their goal and then up stepped our Captain, Jack, to take the free kick. A super strike of the ball by Jack saw it fly through the air towards the goal with such pace that a defender could only catch a glancing touch as it sped into the back of the net. Alvechurch were back in the game.
The start of the second half also saw the start of some heavy rain but both teams battled on continuing the good football from the first half. Blossomfield did get the ball into our net but the move was ruled off side. More good passing gave Joe and James the opportunity to get to the goal line and create more goal scoring opportunities for Louis and Ollie who continued to trouble their defence and forcing their goalkeeper to see more of the ball than maybe he liked. By now Ben was showing his fitness level covering vast amounts of ground in a game that looked like it could go either way. Late in the game Ethan then took a knock and had to come off for treatment on a bleeding nose but after a few minutes was keen to get back on the pitch and into the action. In the final minutes Blossomfield came at us again putting one shot just over the top of our bar but the back four of Jamie Lucas, Bailey, Jack and Jamie Evans together with Harrison never gave up and defended hard right to the end helping to secure a well earned point. An excellent team performance today against a very good Blossomfield FC side who with their point from today’s game went top of the division.Thanks to parents for some wonderful support on a cold day, John and Paul for helping in the warm-up and on the touch line.
Supports Man of the Match: Jack
Mangers Man of the Match: Louis
Next match: League away Kings Norton Kickers Vs Alvechurch Lions United. West Heath Park Oddingley road, Northfield B31 3BS. Meet 1.30 k,off 2.00pm.
Kings Norton 2 Alvechurch Lions 0
After the Christmas break we return to the season witha tough away match at Kings Norton Kickers. A team we have played against over the last couple of seasons with mixed results. On a big pitch with full size goals and the ground slightly heavy, our team would have to play well. With key players out such as Joe, Harrison & Jack Norbury we only had 11 players so no one was allowed to get injured today!!!!! So with Bailey & Ethan alternating in goal Bailey playing in goal first and Ethan covering Baileys roll in midfield. We get off to a positive start moving the ball well between ourselves, Phil & Jamie E linking up well with Jake & Ethan. Jack was then finding James who was making lots of runs down the left hand side causing there right back lots of problems. Jamie L & Ben were also linking up well Ben was using his speed to make up ground into there half. We put them under pressure to start with but were unable to find Ollie & Louis up front. So as of most of our matches of late we are playing some good football but not creating any or scoring any goals. We know have to deal with Kings Norton putting us under pressure for a while which we do very well. But Kings Norton have a couple of quick players who are causing our midfielders & our defenders some problems with some good through balls. This means Bailey is called into action more than we would like. It appears that we are under pressure alot from the through balls, because our wide players have drifted in field causing a us to be to congested in the middled of the pitch allowing kings Norton to find space and attack us. After one of there through balls we are under pressue, a clearance from us sees a well struck shot put high over the keeper. We try to mount an attack but we don't put any pressure on there keeper at all.
The second half kicks off Kings Norton have there tails up they attack us down the left side straight away, another through ball sees our defence to high up the pitch and we are unable to get back in time and the ball is played under our keeper ( Ethan ) into the bottom corner. But to our credit our heads stay up and we carry on playing the football we now we can play. Now with our shape alot better than the first half we start to put more pressure on there goal keeper and back four. jake & Bailey are know playing well in midfield putting some excellent ball through for James & Ben to chase. With the pressure for the moment on them this is letting our back four play higher up the pitch keeping Kings Norton in ther own half. A few chances for Ollie & Louis to get a goal back but we still seem scared to shoot. Whe Kings Norton did attack us our defenders were dealing with it really well. It was good to see them heading the ball clear ( Which I want to see more of ). It was also good to see us putting balls through to our forwards. With the match pretty even in the second half Ethan was not called on as much. But with more pressure from James & Ben down the wings we try to create some more chances. we have a couple of shots but they go wide and over the bar. Not a bad performance JUST REMBER TO DO THE BASICS WELL PASSING AND MOVING & KEEP OUR SHAPE & LOOK FOR THE SPACE!!!
Supporters Payer: James.
Managers Player: Philip.
Next Match; League home Alvechurch Lions United Vs Kings Norton Kickers Hopwood Playing Fields. Meet @ 11.30 K,off 12.00.
Alvechurch Lions 1 Kings Norton Kickers 4
After last weeks defeat to Kings Norton, we now have a chance to reverse the result. With us playing at home we are hoping that it will give us an advantage. But with the weather not in anyones favour today it is cold and the wind blowing straight down the pitch it is going to be a very difficult match. So with the first half about to kick off. We have the wind in our favour, so for the next 25 minutes we should not let Kings Norton out of there own half using the wind as an extra man on the field. So as the match kicks off we do just that by pressing Kings norton back into there half the midfield of Jake,Bailey,James & Ben
Next match: Away at Castle Bromwich Colts Vs Alvechurch Lions. Shard end number 6 playing fields, kendrick Avenue. B34 7SD. Meet at 11.30, K,off 12.00.
Report to follow.
NO MATCHES FOR 12TH & 19TH FEBRUARY.
Next Match: Away at Local Leagues Vs Alvechurch Lions. Calthorpe Park, Edward road Balsall Heath. B12 9LQ. Meet 10 oclock 10.30 k,off ???????? Please note that this may change as manager has not contacted me as yet. These details are from website. Also be aware fixture may well be called off due to the cold weather!!!!!!
