Alvechurch Lions (Under 9)
Fixtures
26/02/12 no game
04/03/12 home v Boldmere Falcons KO 10.00am
Match Report 19/02/12 Lions 4 - 0 Solihull Saints
At long last, back to action for the Lions for the visit of Solihull Saints. With Charlie ill and Joe away, the line up featured Alec in defence with Henry, and the usual diamond shape employed throughout the team, with captain for the day, Regan leading the line up front. From the first whistle, the Lions dominated possession and with the Lions defence and goal largely untroubled, the midfield moved the ball around nicely and it was no surprise when William opened the scoring with a typical strong run and finish. As the half progressed, the Saints came in to the game and with some tough tackling and strong running up front, caused a couple of half chances which they failed to convert. At the other end the Lions always looked dangerous, with Regan and Nathan both going close before William added his second to lead 2-0 at half time. Kicking downhill in the second half, the Lions really took hold of the game and with Jack whipping crosses in from the right wing and Nathan controlling the play in midfield, it was only a matter of time before the Lions extended their lead with William completing his hat-trick with a simple tap-in, following excellent approach play by Nathan. A long ball forward, which Regan raced on to and coolly finished at the near post was just reward for the hard work and effort put in up front and with Alec and Henry taking turns to move up from the back for corners, the Lions pressed for more goals but had to settle for a final score of 4-0. Well done to all of the lads for the effort and work put in and a fair result.
MOM - William
Match Report 22/01/12 - Solihull Jnrs Yellow 2 - 0 Lions
Following the last game on this ground, the Lions headed to Solihull looking to increase their points tally but left pointless. A game played in a really strong wind, meant it was going to be tough for both teams and with the Lions kicking uphill into the wind in the first half, it needed our defence to keep strong to keep Solihull out. When the Lions did get possession, they kept the ball on the ground and moved it well, with some nice inter-play up front which unfortunately they couldn't convert into goals. HT 0-0. Playing with the wind in the second half, the game was there for the taking but the good passing moves from the first half disappeared and the game became bogged down in midfield. The Lions continued to push forwards and a number of corners saw Jack hit the bar and post and the Solihull goalie demonstrate some excellent handling. At the other end, our desire to attack in numbers, left our defence exposed and a hopeful punt upfield wasn't cleared and the Solihull forward raced on and smashed the ball in for a 1-0 lead. With the Lions pressing for an equalizer, they left themselves open to the counter-attack and with another breakdown in attack, the ball moved swiftly forwards for Solihull to doube their lead and end the game 2-0. Well done boys, in a game played in awful conditions - plenty for us to practice at training.
MOM Regan
08/01/12 - Solihull Jnrs White 0 - 6 Lions
Back to action and a real game of two halves. The first half saw the Lions dominate possession, with Seth a spectator in goal, but some wayward shooting and hesitancy in front of goal, saw the half end 0-0. The second half carried on in much the same away as the first, but at last the Lions broke the deadlock with a neat finish from Regan, for his first Lions goal. This opened the flood gates and the Lions were kicked in to life, with a reshuffled defence of Joe and Jack, digging in and putting in some good work at the back, freeing up the midfield and forwards to go wild with some excellent finishes from William (hat trick) and Nathan (2), with Regan unlucky not to get a second. A fair result in the end from a game dominated by the Lions.
MOM William
Match Report 11/12/11 - Boldmere Falcons 3 - 1 Lions
Our last away game of 2011, saw the Lions travel to Boldmere with just 7 players, to face a team who had scored 14 goals in their last 2 games, so we knew we had our work cut out. Lining up with our normal shape, the Lions faced a barrage of early pressure and did well to keep their opponents at bay, with Henry and Charlie working hard at the back and Seth pulling off some great saves. A series of corners for Boldmere, piled the pressure on the Lions but we withstood the attacks and looked to hit them on the counter attack. HT 0-0.
The second half saw the Lions reverse the pressure somewhat and take the game to Boldmere, gaining some corners which Regan put into the danger zone each time on which we failed to capitalise. From a Lions corner, the ball was cleared up field for the dangerous no 10 to race on to and coolly slot past Seth. The Lions continued to battle on with Alec, Nathan and Regan putting in the tackles and Joe working hard up front but Boldmere doubled their lead through a deflected shot past Seth. The Lions immediately got on the scoresheet with Nathan firing a long range effort past a stunned Boldmere keeper and this spurred the Lions on to press for the equalizer and our best spell of the game, saw a wonderful move down the right, with the keeper pulling off a great save from Regan at the far post. With the Lions looking increasingly like grabbing a draw out of the game, a long range effort from Boldmere slipped through Seths grasp, to give Boldmere a two-goal cushion and see out the game and finish 3-1 winners. Well done to all of the boys, who battled fantastically and got the tackles in and on another day we may well have got a draw.
MOM - Alec
Match Report 04/12/11 - Solihull Saints 0 - 2 Lions
Travelling away to face familiar opponents from last season, the Lions started brightly and put the Saints under pressure from KO but failed to convert after some great approach play. With the Lions defensive trio looking solid and the midfield/forwards dominating possession, a goal looked inevitable but the half ended goalless. Kicking uphill after the re-start, the game resumed with the Lions applying pressure and rightly taking the lead, with Joe converting smartly from Nathans goalbound shot. The Lions continued to make the running and despite a scare from losing possession after a short goalkick, the Lions added their second with Nathan firing in from close range after the Saints failed to clear a corner. A solid performance all-round, with good shape across the field and a pleasing debut from Regan. Look forward to the next game.
MOM - Henry
Match Report 27/11/11 - Olton Ravens 6 - 0 Lions
A bizzare game for the boys and one which the scoreline certainly does not reflect. Playing against a well organised, strong and physical side, the Lions matched the league leaders for the opening 10 minutes and had some good breaks down the left which unfortunately they couldnt convert into goalscoring opportunities.
After a bright start, the game changed completely with a bizzare goal for Olton who tapped the ball into an empty, unguarded goal, whilst Seth quite rightly was seeing to an injured teammate for whom the referee failed to stop the game (this was the first on a couple of occasions where the referee failed to stop the game, obviously thinking the welfare of 8/9 yr old boys not as important as playing the game to his exact rules). HT 1-0 to Olton. The Lions failed to recover from the upset of the first goal and in trying to push for an eqaulizer, lost all shape in midfield and succumbed to a number of swift counter attacks, which Olton duly converted. The Lions failed to match the physical challenge from Olton and Olton duly ran out winners 6-0. Lots for the Lions to learn from and work on.
MOM - Seth
Match Report 20/11/11 - Phoenix Rangers 0 - 4 Lions
On a foggy, damp morning, the Lions travelled over to Solihull for their first game in a run of 4 away matches and for the first 10 minutes the Lions players still had thoughts of their warm, comfy beds as the game started very casually. With few problems coming from Phoenix, it took the Lions some time to settle into their positions and start playing and against the run of play, Nathan broke away and ran 2/3 of the length of the pitch before coolly slotting the ball past the keeper to set the Lions on course for victory. From that moment on it was all one way traffic with Seth barely tested, although the Lions couldnt extend their lead and it remained 1-0 at HT. A change in positions for the second half saw Henry switch from defence to striker and with the half only a few minutes old, Henry raced on to a great through ball from Joe, before firing into the bottom left hand corner. With the Lions pressing forward and winning virtually every ball in the midfield and defence, through the hard work of Charlie, Joe, Alec and Jack, it was only a matter of time before the Lions added more goals. Henry scored his second of the match, tapping in from close range at the far post from a corner, before William added the 4th through a beautiful free kick from the edge of the box, to give the Lions a convincing win and great clean sheet.
MOM - Charlie and Joe
Match Report 13/11/11 - Lions 3 - 3 Warriors
Carrying on from last week's first half performance, the Lions started strongly and quickly settled into playing some nice passing football and deservedly took the lead after 10 minutes, with William coolly slotting home a penalty after a handball. The Lions continued to press forwards but always looked open to the long ball upfield to the Warriors dangerous no 11 and it was no surprise to see Warriors equalise and then take a 2-1 lead by converting two long balls out of their defence. Parity was restored after a good finish by Nathan, only to see another good finish from Warriors to leave the game evenly poised at HT, 3-2 to Warriors. The second half was a tight affair, with the Lions looking more solid at the back and playing some nice short passing moves going forwards and after pressing for a long period and seeing a number of corners repelled, the Lions deservedly equalised with Jack finishing from a tight angle. Both teams had excellent chances to get the winner but failed to convert leaving the final score 3-3. Well done boys and unlucky not to get the 3 points.
MOM - Alec
Match Report 06/11/11 - Wychall Wanderers 5 - 1 Alvechurch Lions
A game of two halves just like the last time we played on the opening day of the season. This time the Lions started really well and came flying out of the blocks, taking the game to Wychall and deservedly took the lead with William scoring directly from a corner. The Lions were unlucky not to add to their tally, with the final pass just not quite coming off when in good attacking positions. At the other end, Seth was in fine form pulling off a number of great saves, although given no chance with the Wychall equalizer from close range and then a second fine goal from the lively Wychall no 6. HT 2-1 to Wychall with the game finely poised. Unfortunately for the Lions, the second half was a real struggle, with the 7 boys running out of steam and unable to continue the good form from the 1st half. With the Lions pushing forward looking for an equaliser, the defence were left exposed and outnumbered and Wychall scored 4 more rather scrappy goals. The Lions had a few more half chances before the end but couldn't convert, leaving it 5-1 to Wychall at the final whistle.
MOM - Seth
Match Report 23/10/11 - Alvechurch Lions 7 - 1 Solihull Jnrs Yellow
This week it was the turn of the Yellow part of Solihull Jnrs and the opening 10 minutes of this game proved a very tight affair, with both teams breaking well, but the defences remaining solid. With the Lions starting to get on top and showing some nice passing moves, a good break down the right, saw Joe turn the ball in at close range to give the Lions a 1-nil lead at HT. Within 3minutes of the restart the game was over, with the Lions kicking off and going straight down the pitch to score a second from Nathan, before William added a 3rd shortly after. It was now all Lions and with some midfield bursts from Alec , further goals were added by Nathan and William, with both getting hat-tricks. Solihull continued to press forward and got the goal they deserved, finally beating Seth by lashing in from close range to leave the score 7-1 to the Lions. A great team performance, with all 7 lads playing well, with the defensive unit of Seth, Charlie and Henry, providing a solid foundation, on which the midfield/forwards of Alec, Joe, William and Nathan could flourish. Well done to everyone. Up the Lions!
MOM - William
Match Report 16/10/11 - Alvechurch Lions 9 - 0 Solihull Jnrs White
Our first win of the season and at last we had our shooting boots on! With a full squad and the boys showing a more disciplined formation across the pitch, the Lions put their opponents under pressure from the KO. Despite a few corners to Solihull and a couple of half chances, the Lions always looked threatening and were rewarded by two clinical finishes from Nathan and a rasping shot from Charlie to lead 3-0 at half time. Straight from the restart the Lions scored probably their best goal ever in this age group, with Joe starting the move by passing from the KO back to Cauly, Cauly coolly passing to his defensive partner Charlie, who slipped the ball out left to Henry. After beating a couple of opponents Henry fed the ball down the wing to Nathan to send over an inch perfect cross to be slotted home at the far post by Joe. Alec added another barely two minutes later, before William and Jack got in on the act with some great finishes to get a brace each. As well as some excellent finishing, it was great to keep our first clean sheet of the season, thanks to another assured performance in goal by Seth. Well done to the whole team.
MOM - Jack
Match Report 09/10/11 - Bournville Warriors 6 - 2 Alvechurch Lions
Following last weeks exploits, hopes were high for the Lions heading into this weeks League Shield game, only to be dashed by some good finishing from Bournville. A tight first half, saw the Lions have a number of chances which they couldn't convert, only for Bournville to clinically finish all of their opportunities, to lead 3-0 at half time. The Lions came out more determined in the second half and once again had some chances to get on the score sheet, only to be prevented by some great defending and a wonderful save from the Bournville goalie. At the other end, Bournville converted a couple more chances which spurred the Lions into action and a couple of great strikes from MOM Alec, made the scoreline a little more respectable and on another day, with a little more luck , the Lions may well have added to their goal tally.
MOM - Alec
Match Report 02/10/11 - Ulverley Hawks 1 - 0 Alvechurch Lions
Our first ever cup game, saw the Lions up against a team from Div A so the boys were always going to have a tough game and so it proved. During a very tight first half, Ulverley had a couple of good chances but couldn't convert them and spirited play from the whole Lions team, kept the game deadlocked 0-0 at HT. The second half continued much as the first half finished with Ulverley pressing forward, only to be repelled time and again by a very committed and organised Lions team. Putting in their best performance of the season so far, the Lions battled superbly and had a couple of half chances on the breakaway, but in reality the best chance for the Lions would have been extra time and penalties. Ulverley continued to press forward and after a series of corners, finally the Lions failed to clear the ball and Ulverley converted to lead 1-0 with 10 minutes to go. The Lions continued to battle and put the tackles in but tiredness was beginning to creep in and despite a few chances falling to Ulverley, the game finished 1-0 to Ulverley. A fantastic team effort from the Lions today, throughout the whole team, showing discipline, heart and desire and some nice football at times, provides lots of encouragement for the season ahead.
MOM Henry
Match Report 25/09/11 - Alvechurch Lions 1 - 5 Bartley Reds
Another tough game for the Lions, against a well organised, disciplined, strong side. Kicking uphill in the first half, the game was evenly poised for the first 10 minutes, until Bartley broke the deadlock and the Lions conceded a poor opening goal. The Lions tried to adopt their passing game and showed some nice touches and inter-play but struggled to break through a good Bartley defence. Bartley added two more before the break to lead 3-0 at HT. Immediately from the re-start with the Lions still thinking about their HT drinks, Bartley got a 4th as the Lions fell asleep and failed to deal with a swift attack from Bartley. The Lions dug deep and got stuck in during the 2nd half, having to deal with a number of corners and free kicks but were unlocked once more to trail 5-0. With 10 minutes left, the Lions pushed forward and belief came back to the boys, with the Lions enjoying their best spell of the game and pushing Bartley back in to their half. With William scoring from a tight angle and the Lions pushing forward, only a great save from the Bartley keeper, prevented a second for the Lions and resolute defending kept the Lions at bay for the remainder of the game.
MOM - Cauly
Match Report 18/09/11 - Warriors 2 - 0 Alvechurch Lions
With the Lions up against familiair opponents, Warriors, who we played twice last year, it promised to be a close affair and so it proved, with very little between the teams. The first half saw the Lions playing some nice "pass and move" football and created a couple of great chances which we were unlucky not to convert. At the other end, Seth pulled off a couple of great saves and the half ended 0-0, with the Lions unfortunate not to be leading at HT. Warriors pushed players forward in the second half and with the Lions struggling to get back to the passing style enjoyed in the first half, the game swung more in favour of Warriors who scored 2 well taken goals. The game continued to be closely fought right to the end and the Lions displayed some encouraging football on which to build.
MOM - Seth
Match Report 11/09/11 - Alvechurch Lions 1 - 6 Wychall Wanderers
A very tough opening game to the season for a depleted Lions with only 7 of our regular 9 available for selection, up against a very well organised, strong and skilful Wychall team. Playing uphill in the first half at our new, large pitch, the Lions battled gamely and defended in numbers, with Seth pulling off a number of saves, only for the Lions to fall behind from the continued fast-paced attacks of their opponents. Some good passing and finishing from Wychall, together with a great run and finish from Nathan, saw the teams go in at half time 1-4. The second half saw a much improved Lions team starting to get into the game, tackling more fiercely and taking the game to their opponents but unable to convert any goal scoring opportunities, With the Lions pushing forwards for goals, we were inevitably stretched at the back and Wychall knicked 2 more goals on the counter attack, to finish the game 6-1 winners.
MOM - Nathan
