05/07/08 - Friendly (H)
Alvechurch Lions 4 Redditch Borough 2
Division A Runners Up Redditch Borough were the visitors to fortress Hopwood against Division C Champions Alvechurch Lions.
Redditch Borough had played the Lions on five previous occassions, and defeated the Lions with some ease. Clearly this game was to be a real test for the Lions as Borough are a very, very well organised outfit.
The game was to be played on the larger pitch, and was to be a real test of the Lions fitness and their ability to cope with the large open areas.
The Lions started with Liam in goal, behind Rogan Josh and AJ, Isaac in centre midfield with Max on the right, Granty on the left and The Duke upfront. With star defenders Felix and Matt absent, new signing Ben started on the bench with 7 year old rising star Samson helping his older counterparts out.
The Lions started the game like a steam train, Max and Granty were relishing the wide open spaces, and causing havoc with their ability to carry the ball long distances.
On two minutes, Isaac burst down the right, fed Max who skipped past his marker before hammering a low cross across the area. The Borough keeper parried the cross clear, but only as far as The Duke, who took one touch before drilling through a posse of players for an early opener.
A second followed four minutes later. Granty's long through ball was picked up by The Duke, who skipped past the Borough defender before drawing the keeper and slotting low into the bottom corner.
Alas, Borough are a good side, and worked their way back into the game. However they were finding Josh in scintilating form, mopping up everything at the back, whilst AJ gave the Management food for thought with yet another distinguished and confident performance alongside Josh.
Liam's handling was again imaculate, whilst his distibution was quick and clever, starting wave after wave of Lions attacks.
At last on a bigger pitch, we were starting to see the benefit of the wide players as feeders training exercise. Colin's thoughts on really focusing on getting the ball out wide were clearly working.
The Duke could have completed his hatrick on 15 minutes, but shot straight at the impressive Borough keeper when faced with a one on one.
The second third saw the introduction of Ben following his Ronaldoesque transfer from Cadburys. Youth team star Samson aged 7, also entered the fray.
Borough had the better of the second third, but couldn't break down a determined Lions defence. We may have said it before, but these lads now are starting not to concede even when they are not at their best, a real bonus.
Isaac, Josh and AJ stood firm, whilst any concerns regarding the wide players ability to track back were unfounded, as time and time again Max and Ben got back to put in a shift and help their team mates out.
Samson was as strong as..well Samson, with a number of important interceptions, next seasons Under 8s will have a top player in this lad.
With a minute of the 2nd third remaining, Ben capped a hugely impressive debut with a 15 yard screamer high into the top corner. Ben wheeled away in delight, whilst i got the transfer form out - sign here son..
The final third was a fairly even encounter. Borough deservedly pulled a goal back, Isaac quite rightly attacked a ball he was defending from a corner only for it to skim off his shin and fly into the net past Liam.
The Lions got an equally scruffy fourth, when Max whose corners had been excellent all day, drilled in a corner which sneaked in after a few deflections.
Still time for Borough to grab a late second with an excellent header from a driven cross.
Final Score
Alvechurch Lions 4 Redditch Borough 2
Not too much to say this early on into preseason, suffice to say, that performance against top, top opposition was hugley encouraging.
The future is Bright...The future is Black and White.....
