Leamington started off their first game of the season in the Premier Division with a mixture of last years U10's plus five girls from last seasons Under 11's. plus some new player to the club, Lions started off brightly with Eve & Annie exposing the Villa's weakness down their left side and it wasn't long before Eve had fired home from a tight angle, then on 10mins Beth & Eve played some neat passing football to put Annie through to double our lead. Just before half time Villa had a shot saved by Amy and as the ball was rolling towards the goal line it was bundled over the line by a Lions defender (no names Gem)
Half Time 2-1
Second half was totally opposite to the first half with Leamington on the back foot most of it, Villa took control and scored 3 goals in quick succession. Villa looked threatening with every attack and Rebecca, Kerryn, Gemma and Beth had their work cut out. Two more goals soon followed as the Lions tied and lost their way a bit. Gemma pushed up from defence on the odd occasion and managed to squeeze home a consolation goal just before full time.
Well done girls who for most of you this was your first time playing 11-a-side football and we will bounce back from this next week.
MOM..........Eve
The Lions welcomed Gary and the B.W's to Myton and many of the girls had played each other of the past two seasons at U10's level. Leamington put pressure on the Warriors pretty much from the start, but were rushing to much and gave the ball away in and around the penalty area. After the Lions had settled down we had a succession of corners and after the ball was initially cleared by the defence up pop Olivia to lob the keeper from the edge of the box. Lions second goal on 19mins was what I thought the best goal of the game from a well aimed shot from Laura, but it was the build up play from Molly in defence to Beth, a quality pass to Annie via Philippa with Laura getting on the end of the cross. Half Time 2-0
Bournville started the second half brightly, bring Amy in goal into the game a bit more, Amy's kicks have improved 100% and were hitting the half way line. Third goal came from Philippa who slotted the ball home with her left foot (well done) quickly followed by a goal on the break from Beth A who drove the ball home. Helen who had just came onto the field from the subs bench slotted the 5th goal, which left Annie to finishing off the match with a goal just before the whistle. Leamington are starting to pass the ball better and are keeping possession for long spells. Bournville's keeper Hannah should get a mention as well because the saves she did make were outstanding and she gathered ever shot near her with out spilling the ball, well done, very safe hands. Full Time 6-0
MOM.........Laura
Lions were busy again in defence as WBA applied pressure from the start and Molly and Rebecca had to be at the best to deny an early lead for West Brom. Amy in goal pulled off the save of the game after 12mins when a WBA striker realesed a shot from out side the area which was tipped over the bar. Lions didn't clear the ball from a corner soon after which resulted in a shot sneaking through to open the scoring. This was followed by another WBA goal but Beth took us into the break 2-1 after a solo run caught the defence on the back foot, Lion ended the half strong.
Half Time 2-1
Second half like the opening game of the season we lost our way a bit and were second to the ball and when we did have the ball we gave it away to easily. Gemma and Molly were strongly in defence, but WBA were the stronger team in midfield as Eve and Beth were stretched to the limit trying to get the Lions back on level terms. WBA scored a further 5 goals, two coming from great pace down the wing finishing with two headed goals.
MOM Gemma
Coventry City 2 : 1 Lions
Half Time 1-1
Coventry started the second half stronger and again were aloud to run at the defence without a tackle going in, soon Coventry were back in the lead after a looping shot bounced over the keeper and into the net. The last 10mins were very much all Leamington as Coventry were pinned in their on half as the Lions went forward in search of a goal with every attack, but Coventry didn't panic and defended well.
Leamington's defence of Molly, Gemma, Kerryn and Rebecca are getting stronger and more organised with each game as are the midfield.
Lions MOM.....Amy T. Another great game in goal.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very entertaining game with both teams playing some great football. Good Luck Cov next Round
Lions 4 : 4 Marston Green
Marston Green were the stronger team in the opening minutes putting the Lions defence under a lot of pressure, Molly and Gemma on the right seemed to be in control though. Marston Green were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after a well timed tackle was deemed to be a foul, the resulting free kick was sent soaring over the crossbar. Soon after another free kick was awarded just a little further out which this time struck the crossbar and was bundled over the line by the advancing MG striker. Lions pushed forward and were soon level after a powerful shoot from Beth A. Both teams had more chances before half time to take the lead, plus the spot kick placed wide of the post by Eve.
Half Time 1-1
Second half was very much a repeat of the first with Marston Green applying heavy pressure which soon saw the Lions going 3-1 down, but true to form and shear grit the Lions started to play some good passing football and pressed to get back into this game. Beth's free kick was lofted into the area of which Eve volleyed home "what a goal" Soon after Gemma moved from defence to Striker and unleashed a shot that left the keeper rooted to the spot and got us back on level terms. The next 5 mins was all Leamington as they went in search of another goal and soon Annie broke through and left the MG defence behind her to go one on one with the keeper and give the Lions the lead for the first time in the game, but Marston Green would not lie down and were back on level terms with 2 mins to go.
Final score 4-4
Lions POTM Amy T
Well done to both teams.
DUDLEY UNITED 5 : 3 LEAMINGTON LIONS
Leamington made the long trip to Dudley and played on what's got to have been a pitch that the Under 10's would of been at home on, very small. After the first 5 minutes getting use to the pitch Leamington started to cause the Dudley back four a lot of trouble with Annie running at them, but it was Dudley who scored first after a soft shot went through the Lions keepers legs and soon doubled their lead with a shot from outside the box that crept in. Laura & Annie both had attempts at goal so did Eve & Harriette and soon Laura hit the target to get the Lions back in the game with a well placed goal . Dudley kept attacking and Molly, Gemma & Kerryn defended well and worked the ball out of defence well.
Half time 2-1
Second half Leamington applied more pressure but still kept over hitting the ball on this small pitch, Harriette who had gone close in the first half let fly with a shot from out side the penalty area which left the Dudley keeper rooted to the spot and brought us level. Dudley were still looking dangerous with there long throw-in's, but soon found themselves behind with yet another fierce goal bound shot from Harriette from outside the box which again left the keeper stranded. The last 10 minutes Leamington seemed to lose their way and were second to every ball and conceded 2 quick goals, although they did try to get back into the game a goal 2 minutes from time sealed it for Dudley.
Full Time 5-3
Lions P.O.T.M. Harriette
Leafield Athletic 6:2 LIONS
Leamington started off the game on the back foot, but seemed to be dealing with the Leafields attacks. After a few shots off target Leafield scored with a shot over the top of the stretching keeper Kerryn. They soon doubled there lead after a Lions corner was cleared by the Leafield defence and then ran the full length of the field to score. Annie was starting to stretch her legs down the left side and was beating them for pace with ease and on 20mins her cross was fired home by Eve with a left footed strike. Amy and Molly were working hard as always in defence, Beth and Rebecca also contributing well.
Half Time 3-1
Second half was pretty much the same, Lions soaking up the attacks from Leafield, but the tired legs soon showed as they began to increase there lead. Molly was tackling as if her life depended on it and timely tackles stopped more goals I'm sure. But the Lions kept pressing for another goal and it came after some great passing from Midfield, Harriett and Eve, with Beth then running at goal and smashing it home. Beth was denied another great goal after the linesman thought she was offside.
Final Score 6-2
Lions POTM Molly T.
LIONS 6 : 4 Perrywoods
Leamington played host to Perrywoods on a wet but sunny morning and started of very bright themselves, Beth playing up front was peppering the Perrywoods goal as was Eve and Molly very early in the game. On 10 mins Molly played Beth A through who had her shot saved by the busy keeper, then Eve grazed the crossbar with a header from Beth A's left footed cross. 12mins Lions were awarded a penalty for hand ball which Eve neatly tucked away. From a Lions corner Beth made it 2-0 and then 3-0 after a through ball from Eve was hammered home. Midfield worked hard to keep the ball in the Perrywoods half and we soon had a free kick on the edge of the box after Eve was pulled down, Captain Eve drove the ball through the crowded goal mouth to get her second goal of the game, Gemma went close on the stroke of half time with yet another quality left footed cross from Beth which was saved well by the keeper.Half time 4-0
5 mins into the second half and Perrywoods scored when there striker burst through the 3 Lions at the back, Molly and Amy took it in turns to act as wing backs and put pressure down the wings, after a Lions corner was initially cleared by Perrywoods Amy was positioned well to lob the defence & keeper to take the score to 5-1. The best Lions goal came on 42.mins when Harriette, Eve & Molly linked up well and from the resulting pass from Eve, player of the match Beth A scored her third goal. The last 10mins saw the Lions a bit disorganised as we pushed up the field at every opportunity and were punished with 3 goals from the Perrywood strikers, once the back four were in place the panic was over.Final Score 6-4
LIONS 2 : 3 Dudley United
It was the Lions first game of the year and it started of well with Leamington applying the early pressure which saw Laura just putting the ball wide after 5 minutes and soon after Eve also went close to scoring, but it was Dudley who opened the scoring was a solo run and a well taken goal. This just fired up the Lions and after a perfect through ball from midfield Laura used the space to her advantage and fired home the equaliser. Midfield were really enjoying the possession and created even more chances to score but the Dudley keeper was playing well. Dudley again took the lead with another goal from a quick break and then increased their lead after the Lions had cleared the ball from a corner and after a few loose tackles the ball was lobbed back into the area and into the net. The Lions still not out of this fast end to end game again went close after Beth who slotted the ball wide after she went one on one with the keeper, the pressure soon paid off after a well worked throw in from Molly, Eve and Harriette was fired low across the area just behind Laura, but Philippa was on hand to calmly side foot the ball into the net.
Half time 2-3
The second half was also played at a very fast pace seeing both teams playing great football on the soft, flat Myton pitch, but unfortunately we didn't see any more goals. Leamington's defence and goalkeepers (Rebecca & Kerryn) really played well together today which was great to see and our midfield were available for every pass and contested every loose ball, up front we were more mobile than we have been and did cause the opposition problems. Georgina who played her first full game and really got stuff in today was awarded Player of The Match.
Final Score 2-3
This was our second meeting with knowle this month and after losing 6-1 in the first game and now without two of our defenders and our striker for this game it wasn't looking good. The game started at a very fast pace and saw Knowle take the lead with in the first 5mins just as they did in the previous game, but Leamington didn't let this bother them and counter attacked at every chance. Molly, Gemma & Rebecca were awesome in defence, midfield Beth, Eve, Ravena, Georgina and Philippa held the ball and passed well which helped make the job of the three in defence easy, yes only 3, some times only 1 as Molly & Bex's pushed up, frightening I know. Amy was also having a great game in goal snatching the ball away from the breaking strikers feet on several occasions. Lions nearly went level when Beth broke down the right side and drove the ball across the box were Laura's strike with her left foot went wide of the post. Laura who had a great game gets stronger each week and battled for every ball, Harriette who was playing behind striker Laura was also having a good game spraying her passes to both sides of the pitch making Laura and the Knowle defence work hard.
Half time 0-1
The Second half was played at the same very fast pace as the first with both teams going close, Philippa and Ravena tackling hard to stop Knowle breaking down the left side, Molly pushing up from defence on every attack down the right side and linked up with Eve & Beth to make some quality defence splitting passes of which Beth nearly levelled on two occasions. With 10mins to go Gemma our new central defender for this fixture up ended a Knowle player in the area for a penalty, of which Amy made a great save much to the delight of the cheering parents. This only increased the LIONS hunger for a goal, so after a Knowle attack broke down, the ball was switched to the right side where Molly, Eve & Beth passed the ball through the Knowle midfield and Harriette was waiting in the box to smash the ball home and level the game with 4mins left.
Well done to all the Lions players who gave every thing in this game & to POTM Georgina who was given a job to do and that is exactly what she did.
Final score 1-1
POTM Georgina Fennell
Scorer for the Lions Harriette Whinmill
The Lions arrived at Perrywoods on one of the hottest day of the year so far this year, Perrywoods pitch was hard and dry with small patches of grass in places. It was the Lions who started the strongest with midfielder Gemma playing a great ball through to striker Harriette who just missed the target. Eve also went close, but it was Captain Beth who opened up the game with her pace and fired away a shot which the Perrywoods keeper could not hold. The home did did break away into the Lions half very quickly at times but Molly and Rebecca were on hand to make quality timely tackles. The Lions second goal came from an attack down the right side where Beth drove the ball across the goal mouth to Hariette who was positioned well to slot the ball home. The Lions had a spell where they had to defend a succession of corners of which Player of the Match Amy in goal made a double save followed by a cross which she collected at the feet of the advancing striker. Perrwoods scored with another fast break which this time caught out the defence, but after a lovely but of footwork on the wing from Beth who turned the defender inside and out, she crossed the ball which was put away by Harriette on her second attempt to restore the two goal lead at half time.
Half time 1: 3
Pretty much the same this half with the Lions defence clearing the ball when needed, midfield was bossed by Eve and Georgina and Gemma until Gemma was called into defence after we went down to10 players when Molly came off and she did a great job, both Kerryn and Beth were also putting in some very strong tackles, Georgina who battled and fought for every ball was also a candidate for POTM. With just 10 mins left goal of the game came from midfield dynamo Eve who hit the back of the net with a 20 yard blistering shot from a Beth cross, then Keeper Amy pulled off the save of the game when she found herself all alone with a Perrywoods striker bearing down on her to score what seemed a certain goal, but Amy had other ideas and tipped it around the post for a corner. Ravena played her best game yet and I'm sure there is a lot more to come from this fast skilful player. Perrywoods did reply with a goal in the dying minutes but it was the stronger Lions team who deserved to take all 3 points and take their unbeaten run to 3 games.
POTM Amy Turner
Scorer for the Lions Harriette Whinmill 2, Beth Altwasser, Eve Carr.
On our last game of the season we travelled up the M6 to play Aston Villa who are current sitting in 2nd place, we knew this game was going to be tough and with only 10 players we could not afford any injuries. Villa got off to a flyer and scored in the first 5 minutes after the Villa striker went unchallenged and shot from inside the area. Then Rebecca arrive after missing the turning on the M6 and straight away bolstered the Lions defence, both Villa & Leamington passed the ball around well but it was Villa who looked the more dangerous. Lions broke on every opportunity and caused panic in the Villa defence, but no goals came in the first half for the Lions.
Half time 1: 0
Second half Amy in goal was called into action on numerous occasions as the Villa strikers were shooting on site, Villa scored to quick goals midway through the second half, but the Lions still kept working away and created chance, Harritte, Gemma & Beth all going close. Philippa's left footed shot across the goal was saved well by the Villa keeper. Molly linked up well with Eve and Mollys pass split the defence for Beth to slot the ball in the net for the Lions. Leamington then had a 10 minute spell where they controlled the game and looked like maybe getting at least a point, but Vill took all the points as they scored a 4th with a well taken shot which dipped over the keeper.
Well done to all the Lions players who played really well and never gave up.
Scorer for the Lions Beth Altwasser.