Match Report

Lodge Park Lions v Red Kite Hawks (Sunday 28/10/12 KO 12:45)

Another Home Game at Washford Saw us play host to Red Kite Hawks in our Local Derby Game. The Hawks came with a weakened squad due to a few of absences whilst the Lions were without Brandon Burford, Ollie Biddle, Harvey Griffiths & Josh James. We did however welcome Amari Ewers to the squad for his debut in a lions shirt. The pitches at Washford have held a bit of water lately due to the weather and the adult match played before us hadn't really helped, but it was the same for both teams and up to us to deal with it. First Half The Lions got into their stride straight from the whistle, a great level of work rate and desire from our midfield two of Max and Matt helped us take a strangle hold on the game. As we say time and time again we need to earn the right to play our football and we did today, with the midfield two driving us on it allowed Tom, Jamel, Amari and James the freedom to express themselves and some of the interplay down both sides was brilliant. After a couple of close calls for Hawks the deadlock was broken after 18 minutes, Amari getting his rewards for his bright start to the game with a lobbed volley from the corner of the 18 yard box after Hawks had failed to deal with a corner. A little touch of class to brighten the dreary day. The goal seemed to settle us even more with all players wanting the ball, it was good to see so much talking from the lads, with Connor Chilton arranging the back four and being the 'get out ball' if it was ever needed. Majority of our play was two touch and at a good tempo. Jamel was starting to get more and more into the game, dropping deep and being our creator, he and Amari were making a good partnership. After 25 minutes Lions got their second, brilliant interplay down the right flank allowed Tom to drive free into space and deliver and pinpoint driven cross than merely needed guiding in by Amari. Lions continued to retain much of the ball but were unable to add to their tally in the first half, Matt going close, Jamel hitting the woodwork and a couple of crosses from Tom that flashed across the goal. Half Time: LPLFC 2 - 0 Hawks Second Half The Lions started the second half as they'd left off, and had their 3rd goal within 10 seconds of the restart, Tom bursting away down the right flank to square the ball for Amari to complete his debut hat trick. Tom was really terrorising the Hawks full back with his turn of pace, 2 assists - great work. The ball was well and truly Lions as Hawks struggled to get any hold of the game, at times our passing and movement was great as Matt controlled the tempo of the game from the middle, Ollie Brady slotted in seamlessly for James down the left as we continued to attack Jamel continued his creative influence on the game, his touch was first class and his vision and movement created space not only for himself but also others to move into, all he needed now was a goal to reward his performance. Lions fourth came after Hawks failed to deal with another quality corner delivery, with the ball bobbling around the box Tom's calm head allowed him the time to slot the ball home to keep up his impressive scoring record in the league. The lions continue to move the ball well, both sides in fact were trying to keep the ball down on the floor, I don't remember many long balls during the 80 minutes. However the lions share (no pun intended) was ours and at times it was a little like a training exercise with Hawks giving us far too much respect and time on the ball. However we used that time well and work the ball all over the park. On 68 minutes Jamel finally got his reward, a large deflection from the referee lobbed the ball over the back four and a quick turn of pace ensured Jamel was the first onto it and with a cool finish slotted the ball home to keep him level in the scoring charts with Tom. Lions continued to dominate possession but changes in formation and players took a little from our cutting edge in the final 10 minutes. The back four stood strong all game, and even when it was tweaked looked fairly comfortable, Kieran, Caine, Brad, Connor, Mikey & Andy stood up to anything thrown at them and should be proud of their clean sheet, Caine especially continuing his excellent form at full back. Full Time 5-0 MOTM: Jamel Blake - although everyone played superbly Jamel's movement and teamwork was first class, didn't give up lost causes, applied constant pressure to the back four and then when had the ball used it wisely. A performance way beyond his years in many respects. A performance everyone should be proud of.