The mighty Lions were away in Olney for their first game in the U11 Event 3 Vase cup. From the whistle it was clear that the girls weren’t going to be intimidated by the bigger opposition.
An early tackle from Amber and through ball sent Tehila down the left wing. A quick cut inside created a better angle for a shot which fizzed just wide. A quick break from Olney down the centre was soon squashed by Lauren rushing to the edge of her box, collecting the ball cleanly.
The Lions are becoming masters of the switch of play. This time it was Gracie who switched the play out right to Heidi who got her shot away, only to be stopped by the keeper. Moments later Gracie was switching the play again, after receiving the ball from Amber who had just played a 1-2 with Sienna by the Lions’ corner flag. The ball found its way out wide to Heidi again, but once again the home keeper was strong in making the save. The speed at which Lions travelled from the edge of their own by-line to shooting was staggering.
Evelyn, voted this week’s player of the match for her rock solid defensive performance, was on hand to block an Olney surge and restore possession.
Gracie, driving down the left, found Tehila with her pass inside. The Lions striker calmly took the ball around the keeper before slotting home her first of the game.
Olney were quick to break again but couldn’t find the target with the final shot. Much of Lions’ attacking play involved several players passing and moving. Sienna played the ball forward to Tehila. A quick turn and pass set Amber off down the left. The ball was played back inside to Tehila, but this time her shot was well saved.
Once again, Evelyn was strong in blocking the Olney attack and putting the ball out for a corner. Lions’ counter attack from the corner was fast and precise. The ball found its way to Gracie who sent Heidi through on goal with her pass. Her fierce shot lofted over the keeper and just over the bar.
Moments later, Tehila pounced on a short goal kick, robbing the defender of the ball and firing in, putting Lions 2 up.
More success came down the left side in the second quarter when Sienna played the ball wide to Amber. Her ball down the line was collected by Tehila with 2 players to beat. She skipped past them both before smashing the ball past the keeper.
Olney were determined to get themselves in the game, but some tough tackling by Olivia on the right kept the ball in their own half and forced a throw-in. The resulting long throw down the line was intercepted by Aria and cleared away from danger.
Lions’ 4th came after another powerful run by Tehila down the left wing. Her ball inside to Gracie was played inside the box to Georgia who was able to spin and shoot into the back of the net. It wasn’t long before Lions were celebrating their 5th. An Olney corner bobbled about in the box before Lauren dived onto the ball. Her quick and accurate goal kick found Tehila on the left. After driving down the wing, the Lions’ striker cut inside onto her preferred foot, the resulting shot leaving the keeper with little chance of making a save.
In the second half Lions were put under a little more pressure, but nothing the defensive pairings of Sienna, Aria and Evelyn couldn’t handle. Each taking their turn to make a block or a clearance.
Flo was quick to put the Olney back line under pressure forcing a throw-in for the away side. Moments later a Lions corner taken by Heidi found Amber at the back of the box but she wasn’t able to keep her shot under the bar. More neat play between Flo and Amber created another opportunity for the winger, but this time her shot was well saved.
Olney advanced once again and found themselves in the Lions’ penalty box. But Lauren dived bravely at the feet of the attacker and smothered the ball. The keeper was called into action a short while later, this time saving a strong shot.
Good pressure from Olivia on the right kept the ball alive. A 1-2 between Amber and Georgia resulted in a decent cross, but Heidi was just unable to get on the end of it.
A succession of saves, blocks and interceptions by a rugged Lions back line in the final quarter ensured the clean sheet and sealed a fantastic start to life in the U11’s.
Today’s game was another example of awesome teamwork – some of the passing on display was at times breath-taking. Special mentions this week go to Sienna who displayed her quality passing ability under pressure and Tehila, who was devastating when driving forward with the ball and clinical in her finishing.
Thanks to Richard for the match report.
