This Saturday saw Lions play their penultimate match of the season at home against Luton Celtic Youth, a team who had won three of their previous 5 cup games. In order to get some early practise in before next season, it was agreed the game would be played on a larger pitch with both teams fielding 9 players.
Lions started confidently, passing the ball around the pitch well and it wasn’t long before they capitalised on the new rule of not having to retreat during goal kicks. Having pinned Celtic in their own half for much of the early part of the game, Tehila was quick to snatch the ball off of the defender after a goal kick, turning on a sixpence before scoring her first of the game.
Lions continued to pile on the pressure after the reset with Evelyn releasing a ball out wide to Heidi who carried it down the wing, enjoying the extra space, before passing to Tehila. This time her shot fired just wide of the goal. The triangular passing between Lions’ players has been a real feature of this season, and once again we were treated to some excellent movement of the ball. Amber, Georgia and Tehila combined well to create another shooting opportunity for the Lions’ striker, again just shooting wide of the post. Communication between the Lions’ defenders was good, with Aria calling Sienna forward to mark a player. Further slick passing between Heidi, Tehila and Georgia this time set up the captain for a shot, but she too wasn’t quite able to find the target.
Lions continued to press. A ball inside from Evelyn to Gracie was moved out wide left to Amber. The winger skipped past her opposition but the resulting shot hit the side netting.
Celtic finally crossed the half way line and ventured into the Lions’ half. However, Aria put in a strong foot to stop the counter attack. The defender was called into action moments later with another strong challenge to force the ball out for a throwing.
Celtic looked to have finally broken through the Lions’ defence. However, Sienna swept around the back superbly to mop up and played the ball out to Heidi. She found Tehila who carried the ball into the box, shooting just wide. However, her persistence was soon to be rewarded after a skilful cut inside by Amber created space for the pass to Tehila just outside the box. She fired a rocket shot, which the keeper stood little chance of stopping, despite getting both gloves on it.
The second quarter saw Olivia score her first of the season, having come so close in a number of previous games. The move started with Sienna who played the ball out wide to Heidi. She travelled past Celtic’s midfield before crossing the ball inside, finding Olivia waiting in the box. The resulting shot fizzing past the keeper for Lions’ 3rd of the game.
Olivia and Flo combined well before Flo cut the ball inside to Heidi. Unfortunately she was tackled just before getting her shot away. Celtic attempted another counter attack but Kiera was strong, making the block before putting the ball out for a throw-in.
Moments later, Heidi found herself with space in the box. The Celtic defenders were too slow to close her down, allowing her to dribble closer before finding the back of the net. Lions’ 5th followed soon after when the ball fell to Tehila in the box. Another big shot fizzed past the helpless keeper. But Lions were not content with just 5. Olivia continued to press well, putting pressure on the Celtic defence. Her through-ball to Tehila, having collected the ball from outside her own box resulted in a Lions’ corner. After several good saves, the keeper was finally beaten when Tehila found herself on the edge of the box. Her powerful shot squeezed into the top corner ensuring Lions ended the half 6-0 up.
Luton’s defence were a little slow getting their head in the game after the half time break, and Tehila found herself through on goal, unchallenged, straight from the kick-off. Her 5th of the game was Lions’ 7th and put the game well and truly to bed.
Despite the lack of goals in the second half, the game was anything but dull. A driving run from Amber past the last defender left her just the keeper to beat. Her fiercely struck shot beat the keeper and shouts of ‘what a goal’ could be heard from one home fan, but the far post came to Celtic’s rescue.
The fans were treated to another great team passing move when Kiera found Amber on the left wing. Amber moved the ball forwards to Tehila who swept the ball across the pitch to Olivia on the right. Her through-ball back to Tehila created another shooting opportunity, but this time the keeper was strong and made the save.
Lauren came close having been moved out of goal due to the lack of action in the Lions’ penalty box. Two close efforts in quick succession from Amber resulted in a scramble in the box. Eventually the ball popped out to Lauren on the right side of the penalty area. She managed to get her shot away but could only find the side netting on this occasion.
In the 4th quarter Luton looked to be through on goal. But again, the lightning pace of Sienna enabled the Lions defender to get back and make a last ditch challenge. Aria and Kiera then doubled up to thwart another Celtic attack, forcing the ball out for a rare Luton corner.
Back in the Luton penalty area saw Heidi control the ball superbly with her chest before hitting a half volley narrowly over the bar. The loudest cheer from the coaches came when Aria showed how much she has developed the physical side of her game, going shoulder to shoulder with her opponent before coming out on top and forcing the ball out for a throw. In the final minutes of the game Celtic eventually got a shot at the Lions’ goal. But the ball fizzed over the bar, much to the delight of Gracie, the Lions’ 4thquarter keeper. Flo was prevented from getting on the scoresheet in the final seconds after Heidi had played a neat ball inside to Georgia. Her pass found Flo on the right who drove the ball into the box before shooting. But unfortunately, the keeper stood strong and made the save.
Today was a great all round performance. There was some super attacking play, and equally excellent defensive work. However it was Evelyn’s exceptional work rate, defending and distribution that earned her this week’s player of the match award. The team coped fantastically well with the 9 aside format, with the squad almost looking made for it. The coaches were particularly happy with how quickly the team adapted to new formations within the game.
One more win and the Lions finish the season invincible…No pressure girls!
Many thanks to Richard for the match report.
