Match Report
Lions 0 v Woodley Town Kestrels 3
Saturday saw the return of Woodley Town Kestrels to fortress C of E in their monthly contest. The previous game saw Kestrels romp home to a 5-1 defeat but Lions found victory in the after match penalty shoot out. How would today fare?
Wearing their regular red and white home strip, Lions took to the field showing off new signings Joe Burroughs and Jack Smithers but were without Hope and Emily who have difficulty getting to matches at this time. With Kestrels scraping the minimum 7, Lions fielded 2 subs so they were hoping fitness would shine through in the Rafa Benitez style of management. Joe and Joseph started as subs.
With the sun low in the sky.. oh get on with the flipping match report comes the cry from er indoors behind me!
In the last match, Luca and Massimo were the danger men but this time, Toby, Jack, Ollie, James and Dylan went into the game on top form. Sam is still recovering from his grumbling appendix and Josh from his recent car accident.
From the kick off, the game looked an even contest. Kestrels were always dangerous when Massimo got the ball but Sam in goal looked comfortable. Eventually, skill won through and Kestrels broke through the Lions defence to take the initiative. 1-0 to Kestrels and this is how it finished at half time.
The second half saw Digger return in goal and very confident he looked too! However, as in the first match, Kestrels struck an early goal to make it an uphill struggle for the Lions. To their credit, Lions didn't sit back and sulk; they upped their game and took the match to the Kestrels. Probing runs from Ollie, Toby, Jack and Joe supported by the ball winning skills of James, Dylan, Sam and Joseph along with the composure of Josh meant Lions played some of their best football of the day.
It was during this plethora of Lions skills that Kestrels scored again against the run of play. A counter attack, good finish and good night Vienna.
With 12 minutes remaining, Joe Burroughs went in goal and what a find we have here! His kicks were amazing, positional skills were excellent and his handling skills, well, it was like he had super glue on his gloves! From looking down and out, the Lions were again a force to be reckoned with. Joe's long kicks and Jack and Joseph bustling their way through meant the Lions started to create good chances.
With only a minute to go, the Lions won another corner which Jack took. Encouraged by their manager, the whole Lions team (including the keeper) sprinted into the Kestrels penalty box. Unfortunately, the kick reached a Kestrels player first and the mad chase a la Benny Hill, ensued with Joe breaking the sound barrier in his sprint. A magnificent save, a long kick and the chase went back the other way with Jack bursting through in a one on one with the Kestrels keeper. Jack smashed an unstoppable shot which the keeper bravely saved with his face! One cut lip and a minute later and the ref called time on this entertaining match.
It wasn't over there though. Lions, not to be outdone, sneaked another penalty taking victory and the day finished a draw.
MOTM – Joe 'the cat' Burroughs.
Get the low down on the Lions in the mini tournament
Get the low down on the Lions in the Xmas tournament (Take2)
Get the low down on the Lions vs Reeves Rangers game
Get the low down on the Lions vs Burghfield Whites game
Get the low down on the Lions vs Kestrels game
Get the low down on the Lions vs South Reading game
Get the low down on the Lions vs Whiteknights game
Get the low down on the Lions vs Kestrels game
Get the low down on the Lions vs Whiteknights game
Get the low down on the Finchampstead game.
Get the low down on the Kestrels game.
Get the low down on the California game.
Get the low down on the Pinewood game.