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Match Report

Xmas Tournament(Take 2)

After last week's Awesome training session, brave hopes for the tournament where held by the entire lions team. Although the results may not show wins on the board, the entire team showed great improvements and team work. Every week a new star is appearing in the team and it goes to show the lions are playing as a unit and not depending on just "one special one ".

Shinfield Royals 0 vs Lions 0

The lions lined up for the first ever tournament, however no one could be persuaded to dress up as Santa or Mrs. Claus to give it a Christmas feeling. Alas the half time oranges have this time been sanctioned as 100 % kid friendly to the disappointment of the lion's supporters.

The lions lined up as Ollie, Adam, James, Taylor, Josh, Joseph and Latif borrowed from the tigers. Some of the other lions where on international duties, and it has to be reminded to all " first choice offer free kids places, so feel free to sponsor a lion, and take another one with you, I'm sure the parents wouldn't mind a week's break ." Anyway back to the game.

Ollie was awesome in goal - he made two great saves one straight after the other.

Defence played a key strong role in this game. There were strong tackles from Josh, showing steel and determination in defence and yet another awesome save from Ollie, This was despite obstruction on the keeper by the Shinfield Royals.

Taylor made a storming run down one side several times but was unlucky to finish with a goal. Jake got his tackles in and never stopped running, while Adam, Taylor Joseph and Latif kept on pressing on a resolute Shinfield defence. Overall a corker of a game from the entire team, in ice cold conditions.

South Reading 2 vs Lions 0

Weather started to bite and all team members were putting their hands up their sleeves, while the parents where grumbling about the lack of " special half time oranges this week ."

There was a great run by Latif and James which unfortunately did not result in a goal which seemed to fire South Reading into action, which lead to the first goal. Ollie again made some great saves in this match.

Digger's dad commented" that there were more dives in this game than in Swan Lake."Adam made a good run but was blocked by a well organised Reading defence.

Josh made some great tackles and in one attempt to move the ball down the line instead of defensive gave the ball away to the other-side. Never mind good try JJ. Again Ollie saved the day but it came right back to score the second.

There was a great sliding tackle by James for a corner but unfortunately this did not result in a goal for the lions. Latif, Taylor, Adam and Joseph still continued to get stuck in.

There was an injury to a South Reading player which resulted in the entire lions team showing concern, which shows again the spirit and team work the entire bunch have. The lions kept battling and some good tackles and play were produced by the lions, against the ever blowing gale force winds. Even the introduction of Steve's secret weapon, "the wind driven pram onto the pitch, failed to draw some attention."

Burghfield Whites 4 vs Lions 0

This was not a great game for the lions, due to the now extreme weather and playing up field, which resulted in every goal kick from burghfield being followed by a " warning call to air traffic control."

Good Defence and tackles were by Latif and josh and James. But every clearance was met by a strong gust of wind ( not from the crowd, it has to be pointed out..) which resulted in the lions being pinned in.

There was a great break by Latif and Taylor was through but again unlucky to finish. Burghfield had a special player, who seems to have discovered a secret formula to grow tall, to mix in with his cornflakes..!!! Which none of the lions could match, in speed or size.." well until they are at least ten years old!!!!"

James was awesome in this game and played well defensively, following up and assisted Taylor in a couple of breaks.Latif, Adam and Joseph continued to get stuck in, and battle, but overall a good win must be credited to an organised and established Burghfield team, who looked like they had been playing together for many years.

The boys despite being a little disheartened did try and continue to battle, despite now the cold weather clicking in, and two games being played back to back with only a short break...

Burghfield Reds 0 vs Lions 0

This was a tight game and the lions came out fighting and Joseph was reported as saying these are only babies, ok yes trying to psyches the opposition.

Some very good play nearly resulted in a goal by Taylor - unlucky. Some great play by saints both defensively and attempting to earn that elusive win..

Joseph made a great tackle; again play was mostly at the Burghfield Reds end.

Some great passing by Adam saw that there was a chance for the elusive goal but Taylor was again unlucky. Lions did gain a corner but unfortunately this did not result in a goal much to the groans of the crowd.

Some great play towards the end by Taylor, Adam and James and Joseph and good defence work by Latif and JJ. Great Save by Oli once again.

Summary

This was the lion's first ever competitive tournament, against a couple of well organised established division two teams. The entire team of Ollie, Adam, James, Taylor, Josh, Joseph and Latif played sterling football, in extreme conditions, with no subs available to allow them to re charge the batteries. We might not have won the competition today, but in bravery, tackling and team spirit the lions showed they are more than a match for most teams, despite only joining a couple of games ago. The entire team should be very proud.

The man of the match award went today, to James, for non stop running and tackling. Well done to all.

P.S next week the lions are offering a one week special " get your subs in early and you could be the famous winner of the new competition " washing the entire lions kit " !!! Well done Steve and the boys, you should all be very proud.

A new virus of Claret, seems to have broken out within the supporters, called the " West Ham virus " It is advised to steer clear of this, as it can cause disappointment later on in life, but does cut down on cleaning of trophy cabinets. " Yeap you guessed it, diggers dad prefers " Millwall!!, keep on shouting " come on you lions " as it makes me chuckle... :-)

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