MATCH REPORTS
29/01/2012
Glebe Lions 6 Dutch Club Lions 2
Revenge is oh so sweet!!!! The boys were up for this game big time. With the memories of the only loss of last half season, a narrow one by 3 goals to 2 they were adamant todays performance would show the rest of the league who the forerunners really are.
A very sluggish start resulted in an early goal for the visitors after only 1 minute. Five minutes later Sam equalised to ease the nerves giving Glebe an opportunity to compose themselves and work to their well-practised formations. We looked vulnerable in defence as our midfielders tended to push forward at every opportunity leaving Ben or Zac with 2 or 3 players to deal with, they did deal with them extremely well however!!. I thought Jonny played fantastically well in goal for the first half, not a position he wants to get too comfortable with however!! TJ was rewarded for some excellent play in the 17th minute with a great goal to put Glebe 2:1 up at half time. We played a very strong and physical half and the opposition looked tired during the break.
The second half was by far the best these boys have played together so far this season. They were passing accurately, defending solidly and finishing superbly. The Dutch Lions never really challenged Miles in goal but their keeper had his work well and truly cut out.
Sam started really well scoring Glebes third after only 2 minutes, what a confident display today Sam. Jonny, now out of goal and sniffing around the opposition goal was rewarded with a good finish in the 34th minute making it 4:1. This was the start of a five minute period where we could have scored 5 or 6 goals. Louis made a very strong showing late on and scored 2 quick goals making it 6 for Glebe and yet another win. An error from a set move in the final minute gave the opposition a consolation goal and the game ended 6:2 to Glebe. I havent yet mentioned Freddy and George who both played well in midfield feeding the forwards with many opportunities to extend the lead. Man of the Match was handed to TJ for a superb all round display of attacking football.
Final Comments:
Bring on the Tigers next week. PS - its a home game for us so no putting up posts or respect banners! Thanks to the Dads today for their help setting up and to the supporters for braving the cold.
22/01/2012
Glebe Lions 4 Selsdon Lions 1
Wow, what a game. Each time we play Selsdon the superlatives get better as does the football. A great game played fairly by both sides. The teams were committed to achieving a good result.
The first half was an even affair with both teams failing to capitalise on a variety of opportunities. The best chance fell to Selsdon who were given a penalty for a foul in the area admirably saved by Johnny. The strong wind kept Selsdon in the Glebe half for most of the game giving Ben, Sam and Zac a lot of work to do in defence. The score at half time remained at 0:0, a fair reflection of the game
The second half started and Glebe playing with the wind took an early advantage through an Ambrose like (Come on Palace!!) goal for Zac giving the Selsdon keeper no chance and a 1:0 lead for the Lions. Louis had a blinding game and as Man of the Match scored two great goals to convince us all that this young man has a great future. George found himself in the right place at the right time and scored a good goal with three minutes to spare.
A second penalty for Selsdon for an intentional hand ball was again saved, this time by Freddy who had a fawesome half in goal. TJ and Miles both had splendid performances but Selsdon were wise to this and had them both pinned down for much of the game.
Selsdon scored deep into extra time making the final score 4:1 to Glebe and a well-earned victory for the boys in Red and Black. Bring on next week!!
Final Comments:
Probably the best the Lions have played to date. Great to see that there are more goal scorers other than TJ, Sam and Johnny. A real result Well Done Boys!!
08/01/2012
Glebe Lions 8 Wickham Wanderers 1
Happy New Year to everyone, and what a start for the Lions an absolute drubbing against the fancied Wickham Wanderers.
On a large pitch and two weeks of sweets and chocolates, it looked like the Lions may be a bit match rusty. After only 3 minutes TJ displayed the skill we have come to expect and planted the first of 8 past the Wickham goalkeeper. The Lions continued to dominate with Wickham not bothering George in goal at all. (One had to feel a little sorry for George who I am sure would prefer to have been more involved) The second goal was scored on the 14 minute mark, a good shot by Sam, the first of his hat trick. TJ finished off the half with his second making the score 3:0 at half time. Johnny was unlucky not to score but credit must go to Ben, Sam and Zack who were steadfast in defence not allowing a single shot on target.
The second half started with a goal for George after only 20 seconds, his first touch of the match must have been his frustration at not seeing the ball in the first half!! The Lions peppered the Wickham goal in the second half, Zack had some fantastic efforts on goal, I counted five goal scoring opportunities, and he thoroughly deserved the Man of the Match award as chosen by a panel of parents.
The Lions had a rather unusual formation in the second half, allowing opportunities for the opposition to score but Louis and Zack in defence were too strong and quick for the opposition. It was soon 6:0 courtesy of two more goals from Sam before Wickham pulled one back. At this point everyone wanted to score and the play became rather messy, with the Lions completely losing shape against a much deflated Wanderers team. Miles took advantage of the tiring opposition to score 2 well deserved goals to seal the match 8:1.
Final Comments:
A very physical performance from the Lions seemed to scare the opposition, this allowing the boys an easy win. There will be tougher opposition as the season progresses.
A great start to 2012 and the second half of the season. We are nearing the landmark of 100 goals scored and only in our 13th game. I am sure we can look forward to the rest of the season in anticipation of further fine victories.
18/12/2011
Glebe Lions 4 Selsdon Lions 3
On a very cold and wintry morning, we arrived at the ground expecting the game to be called off. After many deliberations and pitch inspections, it was decided to delay kick off until 10.45am.
The game eventually got under way. There was nothing cold and wintry about the Glebe start and after only five minutes Glebe were 3:0 up courtesy of two goals from Jonny and one from Freddie, all really well executed. Sam had to be the unluckiest person on the pitch today; some great strikes were saved by a highly competent Selsdon keeper and the post!! If not for this the score could easily have been 5 or 6 after 10 minutes. Selsdon pulled off a fine series of passing football to make it 3:1 at the break.
The second half started as the first half did with Glebe dominating possession. TJ, Miles, George and Louis were awesome in attack but did leave us weak in defence and the Selsdon team soon took advantage of this. With only Ben in goal and Zak at the back these two boys had a lot to contend with as Selsdon pushed three forward and it was only a matter of time before they scored. The first a deflection which left Ben going the wrong way and the second an own goal. This made the score 3:3 going into the final five minutes. Glebe controlled these few minutes but could not get the ball into the net. TJ must have made five excellent crosses which Jonny and Freddie could not get on the end of until the final move of the game. Yet another cross from TJ, this time successfully netted by Freddie and a great victory for the Glebe boys 4:3.
This brings to an end the first half of the season and 1 loss to 11 victories ensures we will be the form team to beat next half.
Thanks to all the loyal supporters who attend each week, to John the manager for his time and effort, and to the boys who have bonded into a formidable unit. Lets hope a well-deserved rest over the festive season will see them coming out all guns blazing in January.
Final Comments:
A great game against strong opposition, I know we look forward particularly to these fixtures and will have a few more before the season ends. The boys have tough games ahead but am confident they will as a team tackle any challenge that comes their way.
04/12/2011
Glebe Lions 3 Croydon FC 0
A much improved Croydon FC played extremely well, particularly in the second half to give Glebe a narrow win by 3 goals.
After last weeks defeat the boys picked themselves up and played a very well disciplined game of Football. TJ scored a great solo effort 4 minutes into the half which settled the nerves. After 10 minutes, Freddy found himself on the receiving end of a gift and coolly slotted the ball into the net. Just before half time, Louis netted a good shot continuing his fine vein of form.
The second half was completely dominated by Glebe with many shots on goal and the opposition rarely, if ever, in the Glebe half. They seemed to adopt a very defensive approach which, while not giving them goal scoring opportunities, ensured that Glebe never extended their lead and the game finished as it did at the end of the first half at 3:0. We will need to begin breaking teams down to score goals now as many teams will take a much more defensive approach when up against the fantastic strike force of the Glebe Lions.
All the boys played well today, they seemed to enjoy themselves and played well as a team. Thanks must go to all the support who braved a very wintry breeze to cheer on the boys.
Man of the Match was awarded to Johnny.
Final Comments:
A game which only generated three goals for Glebe was played in good spirit. The opposition never had one single shot on the Glebe goal, a testimony to some solid team defence.
