LIONS DAZZLE UNDER LIGHTS Focus Ferrers Lions u14s 3 Doddinghurst Olympic u14s 1 With yet more rain frustrating the traditional surfaces the Lions made a welcome return to the 3G astro at Melbourne for a late afternoon floodlit encounter against Doddinghurst.With no nets to put up and coffees in hand the coaches and supporters were equally content with the location as the boys set up against very well organised opponents. It was Doddinghurst who started the stronger of the two and made Some early inroads down the left flank. It was only a very brave dive from Daniel Hand in goal that prevented a certain opener on 4 minutes as the follow up shot sliced wide. It was very competitive for much of the first 10 minutes as Captain James Caples and Callum Osmond carried on from last weeks performances with some real strength in the centre. It is fair to say in the last few weeks the players have got generally more determined and no finer example than from these two lads. Slowly the possession started to turn for the Lions and a cracking move involving Ben Prentice and George Bass saw Connor Unwin spin brilliantly and fire in a marvellous shot that was met with a fantastic save. Soon after Callum swung over a peach of a corner which just failed to meet a Lions head . Both flanks looked strong for the boys with Jamie Penkman and Jack Fuller looking exceptionally strong on the left. The boys were now back to some sharp passing and Ben Jackman and Ben Prentice in the middle were beginning to both win the ball and distribute it with skill and awareness. However it was not until 23 minutes that the deadlock was broken and it was a real contender for goal of the season. Nathan Warren advanced from defence and glided a lovely ball wide for Connor who stepped inside two challenges before switching the ball on to George and then Ben Prentice. Some intricate passing with Ben J and Tom then threaded the ball on to Lucas Doherty who fizzed home a low left foot strike. Fabulous goal and wonderful football. Soon after Ben Jackman was set up by Tom and Jack Fuller and he sent in a long range shot that just missed the bottom corner. Doddinghurst came again and once more enjoyed some isolated efforts but these were largely long range and Daniel was covering with increasing confidence. A second goal almost came at the end of the half as a curling Ben Prentice free kick once more did not find an attacking Lion. Just the slender lead for the boys and they were encouraged to keep their concentration as the visitors were likely to be at them from the restart. It was very pleasing that it was the Lions who kicked on and within 4 minutes it was 2-0. Lions pressure saw a Callum cross cleared and the ball fell to Ben Jackman on the edge of the box. Everybody expected Ben to shoot but instead he played a fantastic pass to his left where Jack Fuller was left clear. Still some 20 yards out Jack called upon all of his golfing prowess to flight a subtle draw of a right foot shot that curved round the keeper and crashed in off the far post. A deserved goal for the boys and Jack who has made a tremendous impact upon his return to the side. Soon after the commanding Callum fired in a fierce free kick that just slid over from 30 yards and the Lions were now playing great football. Jamie Penkman must get special mention at this stage as his neat unfussy defendsive work gave the visitors little joy at all down the right. In the middle James Caples suffered two heavy challenges within a few minutes but in true James style carried on with just a shrug of the shoulders albeit he later confessed to a little verbal reaction. Connor Unwin had remained a threat throughout and he nearly broke free on several occasions. Tom Butcher also shook off a knock to the knee with some graceful combinations on the left as passes zipped between him , Lucas and Ben P. The third goal came on 50 minutes when Tom himself drove hard down the left and drilled over a low hard cross which saw Connor stay very strong and poke home another excellent team goal. The lush 3G began to tell on both sides and Doddinghurst really came on strong. It was unfortunate for the clean sheet but fully deserved that they should grab a consolation and this came with just 5 to go as some careless play from the boys saw the winger through on goal who clipped a stylish chip over the advancing Daniel. 3-1 it finished and both sides played an equal part in a skilful and very entertaining game. The Lions previous experience of 3G may have been confined to their smart phones but in the last two games it has allowed them to really display some excellent play. Well done boys. TEAM. DANIEL HAND,CALLUM OSMOND,JAMIE PENKMAN,JACK FULLER,JAMES CAPLES,BEN JACKMAN,NATHAN WARREN,TOM BUTCHER,BEN PRENTICE,LUCAS DOHERTY,GEORGE BASS,CONNOR UNWIN GOALS: LUCAS (23) JACK (39), CONNOR (50) MAN OF MATCH : CALLUM OSMOND - Simply outstanding today with the most commanding performance of his long Lions career.10/10
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:49:35 +0000
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