What a great game.......

 

Another chilly Sunday, another step in the right direction. The game was eagerly anticipated by the players and parents, all we needed was an opposition?Unfortunately the Braintree convoy had confused Mill Lane with School Lane and were slightly delayed.

 

When the Braintree team did arrive, the Lions knew they would have to compete against a team who had been too strong in the two previous encounters. The teams lined up and the renewed confidence from recent weeks was evident, Ollie cheered on the team enthusiastically from the sidelines knowing that he would be back in the team next week.

 

With Duncan taking the whistle the standard of play from both teams was excellent, the tackling was strong and both teams tried to pass the ball - a great advert for under 9's football....

 

The Lions team were enjoying it and with Jack and Henry forming a good partnership at the back in front of Freddie, the first goal was going to be important. Both teams were strong in defence, but with half time approaching the Lions moved the ball well down the right, Ben's quick throw was controlled by Ossie and in the same movement his shot beat the keeper at his near post.

 

Braintree responded well to going behind, Freddie saved a shot from almost the halfway line and this seemed to spur on the visitors. Another shot hit the crossbar and in the ensuing melee the Braintree forward forced the ball over the line.

 

At halftime the Lions realised that they were competing against a very, very good team. This seemed to spur on the boys and there was the added enthusiasm seen in recent games. The midfield of Zach, Sam and Ben supported Ossie and mixed work rate with some nice passing. Isaac and Tom joined the match and continued their recent improvements, both holding their positions and finding team mates with good passes.

 

The second half began with both teams searching for the goal to take the lead, nice passing led to opportunities at both ends, Freddie made saves it seemed with anything other than his hands! Chances fell to Mike and Sam, on another day they would have been goals but not this week.

 

Unfortunately, sometimes the bounce of the ball goes against you and that certainly happened today, but credit to all involved, decisions were accepted, flukey goals were applauded and the game was played in the right spirit.

 

With the final whistle blown, both teams realised they had played in a really exciting game, there were handshakes and smiles from both teams. After a lengthy discussion, Henry was named man of the match for a combination of commitment and effort. 

 

Thanks today to Duncan for reffing, the goal post erectors and both sets of parents/spectators for creating such a positive atmosphere. Also big thanks to all the boys, who over the last few weeks have listened at training and are now seeing that football can be a really enjoyable game if you play as a team and stick together.

 

See you at training

 

Bumble and JB