Alvechurch Lions U9A v Rubery Juniors U9A
Played at The Lions Den, Hopwood, Sunday 17th February 2008, KO 11.30 am
“Some of these lads really run their socks off, up down, up down, up down, it’s almost enough to give you a crick in the neck….”
Member of U14 Phoenix Rangers coaching staff; looking on from the sidelines during the match.
Team Of The Day:
GEORGE ‘The Cat’ TEAL
OLIVER ‘Bandit’ HOWARTH
EDDIE ‘Ironman’ GWILLIAM
TED ‘The Wall’ COLEY
MICHAEL ‘Duggo’ DUGGINS
JAMES ‘The Tent’ WALDEN
HARRY ‘Rudi’ CASHMORE
CONNOR ‘Bomber’ HARRIS-PERNET
Team Captain:
OLIVER ‘Bandit’ HOWARTH
Goalscorers:
MICHAEL ‘Duggo’ DUGGINS – The first to net today after reacting quickest to a rebound in true ‘goal poacher’ style putting the ball into the net from two foot out.
CONNOR ‘Bomber’ HARRIS-PERNET – Second and third goals with the last being the pick of the brace with a wonderfully smashed toe-poke from 15 yards out which rifled into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Match Awards:
Supporters Man Of The Match: CONNOR ‘Bomber’ HARRIS-PERNET
Managers Man Of The Match: GEORGE ‘The Cat’ TEAL
Match Commentary:
Lions – last week we thought that it couldn’t get much better as a footballing spectacle, well, how wrong we were! Again you were all brilliant, truly fantastic, each playing your part in equal measure throughout this thrilling encounter.
Following prolonged pre-match deliberations regarding whether it was a frozen pitch, which involved much heel stamping, chin rubbing, head scratching and widespread debate, it was decided we should play as it was considered safe. In essence the sun came out and warmed the ground as we debated and waxed lyrical giving us all an easy answer.
With the recent change in team tactics, from the stout hearted policy of ‘defend and protect’, to one of reckless abandon and onslaught on the opposition goal the LBA awaited another chilly February goal fest.
With each member of TM7+1 warming up like real footballers as they each took turns on the swing, slide, play fighting and tig…oh and a bit of passing and shooting practice, we were all set.
The match started at a frantic pace with a traditional Lions 1-2-3-1 formation producing a plethora of great chances which almost brought the team the lead. However, the LBA didn’t have to wait long for something to cheer as the Lions soon took the lead through great team work and a clinical goal poacher’s finish from two foot out from MICHAEL as he pounced on a rebound from a great save from the Rubery keeper from a long range effort from the Lions. Lions 1 – Rubery 0. Deadlock now broken the Lions continued to pour forward, passing neatly and competing strongly in every area of the pitch. In response Rubery reorganised and started to push forward themselves winning more than there fair share of ball in the middle of the park. With the introduction of OLIVER upfront the Lions continued to pepper the Rubery goal with shots. These were bravely resisted by the away team keeper who produced a string of fine saves and kicks. With relentless pressure the Lions scored again through a great CONNOR finish, signing of on excellent approach teamwork, highlighted by HARRY and JAMES’s interpassing and movement. Lions 2 – Rubery 0. At 2 – 0 down Rubery were transformed and, despite stout-hearted defending from TED and EDDIE pulled the score line back to 2 – 2 in quick time, which is how it finished at half time. Quietly confident but looking weary the Lions padded off at half time for the usual repast of Jaffa cakes and water.
With a minor reshuffle and substitution the Lions tried to take the game to Rubery but the half time rest appeared to do more for Rubery as they consistently threatened the Lions goal bringing out a series of great saves and last ditch defending from GEORGE between the sticks. Decidedly against the run of play CONNOR bagged his second to make it Lions 3 – Rubery 2 with a few minutes to play. However, with the Lions visibly tiring and clever use of substitutions by Rubery, they brought 11 players, the fresh legs took hold and soon the score was level 3 -3. From the restart it was all hands to the pumps defending for most of the team as it only looked if Rubery were going to go on and win a thrilling but tight contest. Final whistle arrived toe everyone’s relief bringing down the curtain on an excellent football match roundly applauded by all supporters and watchers alike.
As the previous week ROB MANAGER’S after match team talk confirmed that this match had now replaced last week as the best team performance of the season on the basis of commitment, passing and sheer effort from the weary TM7+1 player pool! Good luck next week against table topping Ulverly Hawks!
Half Time Score line: Lions 2 – Rubery Juniors 2.
Full Time Score line: Lions 3 – Rubery Juniors 3.
Alvechurch Lions U9A v Ulverley Hawks U9A
Played at The Lions Den, Hopwood, Sunday 24th February 2008, KO 11.30 am
“Watching our lads play its obvious that footballing talent isn’t passed on through genetics.”
“Great knees Pete; will you need a spare lung if you are reffing?”
Various members of the LBA .
Team Of The Day:
GEORGE ‘The Cat’ TEAL
OLIVER ‘Bandit’ HOWARTH
EDDIE ‘Ironman’ GWILLIAM
TED ‘The Wall’ COLEY
MICHAEL ‘Duggo’ DUGGINS
JAMES ‘The Tent’ WALDEN
HARRY ‘Rudi’ CASHMORE
CONNOR ‘Bomber’ HARRIS-PERNET
JOE ‘Chopper’ HUGHES
Team Captain:
GEORGE ‘The Cat’ TEAL
Goalscorers:
Team drew a collective blank today but came very close on several occasions.
Match Awards:
Supporters Man Of The Match: MICHAEL ‘Duggo’ DUGGINS
Managers Man Of The Match: HARRY ‘Rudi’ CASHMORE
Match Commentary:
This was it, the big one, taking on table toppers Ulverly Hawks for the eagerly awaited rematch following the Lions less than impressive performance away to Hawks earlier in the season.
The day was made all the more interesting as the LBA stood and watched as MARC ‘Sparky’ HUGHES, JOE’S dad, appeared in the car park on crutches. This followed his snapped Achilles tendon diagnosis from Monday nights ‘Vets’ footballing action. ’How is it Marc?’ was the general vaguely concerned chorus, ‘Sore and uncomfortable’, ‘Is it gout then?’ asked the LBA, ‘No, it’s a real footballers injury’ was the terse reply, enough said. In sympathy and concern, the LBA members then proceeded to form a protective cordon around MARC’s left foot to stop any errant footballs or footballers from causing further damage. (Although we did all wonder why he placed his foot 18 inches from the touchline, in full view of all the lads, as a perfect target). Most significantly the LBA were distraught that MARC will not now be available for the traditional end of season parents football match held against the other U9 team’s parents. With U9A team honour at stake, plus we know Rollo will draft in several ringers selected from members of the current England squad to ensure a reversal of last years result, the LBA need a new plan. Possibly this could be that we rely heavily on MARC’s tactical genius and deep seated understanding of all things football to see us through this precarious situation from the sidelines, viewing the matches from his luxury collapsible armchair. We also particularly liked the Sainsbury’s carrier bags wrapped around the base of the crutches to stop them getting muddy. Most impressive though was remembering that the club is currently sponsored by Sainsbury’s and therefore the use of Tesco or Morrison plastic bag products could have resulted in a truly international incident requiring intervention at all levels. Potential crisis averted.
But the day’s surprises didn’t end there. Obviously legs were the key focus today as PETE GWILLIAM strode towards the touchline sporting a sturdy pair of early 1960’s vintage rugby shorts beautifully contrasted by new and highly polished football boots framed by a truly shapely pair of knees. After much amusement and gentle chain yanking and the question of fancy dress now being eliminated, PETE explained that he would be refereeing today as TONY COLLINA was resting to take the opportunity to focus on CONNOR’s game for a change. It’s fair to say that PETE bestrode the pitch like a colossus for 50 minutes, although it was worrying that the club brought out the oxygen cylinders pitch side unprompted. Nice one PETE.
Anyway, back to the match. This would be a tough test; Ulverly Hawks are a big, strong and direct side heavily reliant on one or two players through the middle of the park. However, the LBA felt quietly confident that our progressive and rapidly improving style of pass and move football would unsettle the visitors.
The Lions lined up with GEORGE in goal, defenders EDDIE and TED, midfield trio of JAMES, CONNOR and JOE with MICHAEL leading the line up front. From the start the Lions were clearly up for this match seeking swift revenge from the previous encounter. Several good moves came to nothing with EDDIE, TED, JOE and MICHAEL each going on strong runs resulting in good efforts on goal. CONNOR pushed forward at every opportunity and had several long range efforts on goal. From the resulting corners the Lions struggled again to make set plays count with several chances hitting the side netting or failing to beat the first defender – ‘we need to look at this and our dead ball tactics in training’ was the fully supportive LBA chorus. But Ulverly Hawks were not going to lie down and from a foul committed on the edge of our penalty box Hawks took the lead from a good free kick. Lions 0 – Hawks 1. The game restarted at a frantic pace and it has to be said that throughout the match we were considerably the better side having more than Hawks in terms of chances and at least deserved a draw for our efforts. The match was graced by OLIVER’s delightful 25 yard pinpoint accurate cross field pass on the break which allowed the Lions to come close again to equalising. Still, despite lots of hard work and endeavour, the Lions went down 0 – 1 at the final whistle having come closest from a fabulous piece of ‘end to end’ team play started and finished by the defence with MICHAEL ultimately hitting the post in the last five minutes. With JOE having a good game displaying plenty of work rate and nice touches and JAMES being the team’s heartbeat throughout we deserved a different result.
Notably, the game was marred from the LBA spectator’s viewpoint by the Hawks manager deciding to stand and shout team instructions from our spectator’s side of the pitch much to the annoyance of the LBA who, to a man, felt that there morning and enjoyment of watching the game was spoilt from such a selfish approach. However, following polite discussions between LBA members and the Hawks manager, he did act more considerately throughout the second half. After match handshakes cemented relationships and sealed a thoroughly enjoyable, watchable game of football for all.
It was evident that Hawks were clearly more relieved to hear the final whistle running out 0 – 1 winners on the day. Well done Lions a brilliant team performance inter-sprinkled with excellent individual performances in both halves. Good luck next week away! The end of the season is nigh!
Half Time Score line: Lions 0 – Hawks 1.
Full Time Score line: Lions 0 – Hawks 1.
Alvechurch Lions U9A v Glades U9A
Played at The Lions Den, Hopwood, Sunday 2nd March 2008, KO 11.30 am
“We just didn’t deserve that”
Various Members of the LBA.
Team Of The Day:
OLIVER ‘Bandit’ HOWARTH
EDDIE ‘Ironman’ GWILLIAM
TED ‘The Wall’ COLEY
MICHAEL ‘Duggo’ DUGGINS
JAMES ‘The Tent’ WALDEN
HARRY ‘Rudi’ CASHMORE
CONNOR ‘Bomber’ HARRIS-PERNET
JOE ‘Chopper’ HUGHES
Team Captain:
HARRY ‘Rudi’ CASHMORE
Goalscorers:
Team drew another collective blank today but came close on several occasions.
Match Awards:
Supporters Man Of The Match: JAMES ‘The Tent’ WALDEN
Managers Man Of The Match: TED ‘The Wall’ COLEY
Match Commentary:
This was going to be a tough match, Glades had recently replaced Ulverly Hawks at the top of the table in Division G and looked strong from the outset.
The Lions were already depleted, lining up with the basic hardcore TM7+1, but without GEORGE GOALIE who, in an effort to raise England National Team performance levels, had been called away to coach Paul Robinson at the request of Fabio Capello.
Frighteningly, the clamour to take GEORGES place between the sticks had been deafening the previous Thursday at training. With the lads sounding like hungry chicks in a nest, ‘Me, Me, Me, Me, Me’, they chirped away incessantly at full nine year old volume. ROB MANAGER was not at a loss as to what to do, ‘Ted you go in fist half, Harry second, James you want to fill in, in defence? – right that’s that then’ – plans laid. Training started and it was obvious that TED and HARRY were keen as mustard to impress.
With the big day arriving all too quickly the Lions started brightly. It was a fair and even contest until, unfortunately, JAMES attempted to clear an incoming right wing corner succeeding only in smashing the ball into the top right hand corner of the home team net. Very unfortunate and unlucky on TED who tried valiantly to push it over the bar. Lions 0 – Glades 1. Underterred, the Lions pushed forward again. It wasn’t long after the restart that MICHAEL was substituted as he wasn’t well from the outset and had only turned out as he desperately didn’t want to leave his team-mates in he lurch with the bare seven. That’s what this side is all about, team play and support.
Shortly after the restart Glades went another goal up from a free kick outside the edge of the box and, while still in shock, a third entered the Lions onion bag. EDDIE was offering great defensive support to JAMES with CONNOR, HARRY, JOE and OLIVER continuing to push forward. Several chances for the Lions went begging from long range when a simple pass would surely have seen the Lions score and claw their way back into the match. It wasn’t to be this weekend.
MICHAEL returned to the play at half time to rest some weary legs, although unwell and much under par, while HARRY donned the gloves between the sticks from TED. The Lions pressed hard for an opening goal but the Glades defence was resolute and nothing seemed to fall right for the Lions although, once again, in the main they displayed good passing and movement epitomised by HARRY.
With JAMES putting in a near flawless MotM performance at the back, complimented by HARRY in both midfield and in goal, we looked a good side in patches. When we look up and pass to each other we score goals, otherwise we don’t get anywhere near. Once again this week, OLIVERS passing and effort were excellent and JOE battled away on the left. HARRY put the goalkeeping icing on the cake when he dived full length to save a Glades penalty after CONNOR handled the ball in the box. This just about overshadowed TEDS superb rolling out and goal kicking from our own box in the first half.
This was a defeat which was hard to take as the Lions competed well and tried hard from start to finish. Again the virtue of lots of players helped Glades as the Lions tired while they introduced fresh legs. Still, the end of the season draws near, only two games to go which are both away, and so fingers crossed for a strong finish and two victories to lift us up the table.
Good luck next week away at Kingshurst Lions!
Half Time Score line: Lions 0 – Glades 3.
Full Time Score line: Lions 0 – Glades 3.
