Another Sunday, Another Spartak-ula Performance......

 

Having played so well in the last few weeks, confidence was high as the boys met up to take on Baddow Spartak. With a chill in the air, the crowd was wondering how the Lions would play against one of the best drilled and exciting teams in the league.

 

With hats, gloves, tracksuits and base layers discarded, the Lions were ready to go and the early minutes were a battle. Ossie ran into space and was found with good passes from Mike and Zac. Spartak moved the ball quickly and mixed speedy attacks with some robust defending, a speculative shot was cleared by Tom, but as the ball fell to a Spartak player, Freddie was helpless and beaten by a good finish.

 

It was great to see the Lions heads didn't go down and the chance of the half fell to Mike, who headed wide from an Ossie corner. At the other end Freddie performed his usual collection of good saves, his kicking continues to improve and today he was helped out by Isaac and Jack's goal line clearances.

 

With a lot of energy being used, it was important to make substitutions as players tired, Ben and Henry came on and were quickly in the action. Henry brought the strength and speed we expect and today extra confidence on the ball. With the introduction of Ollie the Lions took the game to the opponents, both Ollie and Zac played well with a mixture of good passing and direct running.     

 

The second half again provided great entertainment for both teams and the crowd, Spartak's strong shooting led to further goals and as the half went on tiredness led to more space. The Lions continued to attack when they were able and it was good to see Jack carrying the ball forward and trying to link the play. 

 

The Spartak goalkeeper made a number of good saves and from a resulting corner Ollie scored a goal, from a shot that was adjudged to have crossed the line, with no goal line technology it was great to see the Spartak players accept the decision and get on with the game.

 

If the first Lion's goal was scruffy, the second was a thing of beauty! Man of the match Ossie passed from the halfway line and found Ollie out wide, Ollie's low cross found Mike, who didn't break stride and placed the ball in the corner. As a passing goal it is probably goal of the season, but more importantly it showed the progress the boys are making and how easy football really can be....

 

Thanks today to all who braved the cold and cheered on the team, in particular Darren and Sam for coming to support, even when you had a week off.....  

 

Well done to all the boys for another good team performance and in particular for the second goal for proving that you do listen in training (sometimes!).

 

See you all at training....

 

Bumble and JB