21st May - Cov-Jag (A) 0-1 (W)

So this was it, Cov-Jag agreed to play their home game at Weddy School, maybe not such a bad move given their poor form in crucial home games. The Lions looked at little awe-struck in the opening few minutes, giving the opposition to much time on the ball, a shot flashed past the outside of the right post, the attacker having left the Lions for dead, a warning the Lions needed to heed. Maybe it was the hard ground but the Lions struggled physically in the first half, several players needing treatment to continue. The worst injury wasn’t obvious until half-time, Nicola having torn a muscle was struggling to move, one run across field leaving her in tears.

The score at half-time was 0-0, the Lions had fashioned a couple of chances but nothing on target, after the first few minutes Cov-Jag had been kept at bay too. The management came up with Plan B for the second half, pushing Nathan up front, Brendan left and Sunni right, Jack taking centre-mid and Nicola taking the holding role in front of Bradley to protect her lack of mobility. With the Lions needing the win to take second place, could the Lions find away through, as with the Eagles game, one goal would do.

In the new formation, the Lions played as a counter attacking team, hitting Cov-Jag on the break. With the defence well marshalled by Brad, Cov-Jag were a limited threat coming forward, Nicola, Jack and Sunni all making good clearances. But a goal was needed, Nicola cleared to Brendan, his excellent run stretched the defence left and Sunni met the cross at the far post, 1-0 to the Lions, could they do it?

The next 10 minutes took along time to pass, some would say much longer than 10 minutes, time all most seemed to go backwards. Cov-Jag had a couple of free-kicks, bringing back memories of AT7 and Cov-Jag earlier in the season, when shots from outside the box cost the team dear. This time the defence stood firm, Aaron gratefully clutched a couple of shots, and Brad putting foot or head to the ball kept Cov-Jag out.

For the final quarter the management decided to protect what they had ,(pulling Nathan back and playing two up), Plan C for this game, who says the Lions are inflexible. As Cov-Jag ran out of ideas of how to break the Lions down, the Lions spurred two chances to make the game safe, one each from Brendan and Sunni. But eventually the ref had no choice; with encouragement from the sidelines he had to blow the whistle for the end of the game.

1-0 to the Lions and second place clinched, not bad, most would have settled for that at the start of the season. At times it seemed unrealistic to even dream of second, but for the second half of the season the Lions, apart from the occasional blip, have shown a far more consistent level of performance. Eleven games unbeaten in the league is not bad in anyone’s book, and six clean sheets in that run too. Next season the aim has to be to put the leaders under pressure, played three lost three against AT7 shows the Lions are some way off yet, but the Lions were only out played in the Cup Final.

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18th May - Bedworth Eagles (H) 1-0 (W)

Bedworth Eagles fresh from an excellent win in the Tamworth Cup against our local rivals St Nics Colts were the visitors to Weddy School. The away game had been had seen the Eagles, uncharacteristically, wilt under pressure from the Lions, however several close tournament encounters over the past couple of seasons meant the Eagles could not be taken lightly. With Alex, now playing for the Eagles, the game had an extra spice.

From the kick-off, the Lions continued their excellent form of late, the ball was laid back to Nathan, his long pass picked out Nicola, she cut it back, Brendan met the ball on the full, only to strike the foot of the post. An excellent move which deserved a goal, the Lions fashioned several more good moves but excellent defending and an excellent goalkeeper ensured the game remained goalless. If it been said once, its been said a lot times… in some games, the Lions need a lot of chances to score the first goal. Just one goal before halftime would have settled the nerves, on the sidelines, as well as on the pitch, but it was not to be. The best or worst chance falling to Sunni, who spooned the ball over from a couple of yards out, but he was not the only one to miss the target, when on target the Eagles keeper made some impressive saves. The Eagles only had a few half breaks themselves but all comfortably dealt with by Bradley and Aaron, but enough to show that given chance they could be a danger.

0-0 at halftime meant the half would be remembered for the missed chances rather than the excellent football played by the Lions, shame really, when some of the moves put together by the Lions were very impressive and a credit to the team and coaches, all that was missing was a goal!

The Lions continued to play well, that first goal wouldn’t come, the Bedworth keeper continued to put in an excellent performance. Eventually, he was beaten, a cross from Brendan was half cleared and returned, and Nathan, goal side of the keeper, poked the ball over the line. Thoughts of Leamington could be dismissed, the Lions could and should have scored more but one is enough at this stage of the season. On to the last game of the season and as AT7 had not let the team down, beating Cov-Jag, also recording a vital 1-0 victory, second place still a possibility.

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10th May - AT7 Red - Coventry League Cup Final @ Bedworth Oval 3-1 (L)

The Lions first cup final at a ‘real’ football ground, a good day was only spoilt by the result. It was a fantastic experience for all involved with the Lions, as the League staged the event as a cup final, with the teams walking from the dressing rooms to the pitch, being introduced to the officials and the crowd and mounting the steps to receive their medals, it is certainly a memory the players should treasure, as there are many players who never have the opportunity of such an experience.

On the day the better team won, the Lions played well, but could not breakdown AT7 excellent defensive line. Two of the three goals conceded, probably exposed the Lions defensive naivety, committing players forward, left them out numbered at the back. 2-0 down at half-time left the Lions with a mountain to climb, AT7 could have been further ahead but for some excellent keeping from Aaron. For the second half the Lions matched AT7, one defensive slip allowing AT7 to pinch a third.

The Lions goal when it came, was the best of the game, Jack to Nathan (now playing centre forward) he held the ball up spread the play right, Nicola supplied an excellent cross and Brendan crashed the ball into the back of the net. The Lions fashioned two good chances in the final few minutes, an excellent run from Nicola deserved better, as the defender did just enough to take the pace off her shot. The other, a shot by Bradley from the edge of the area, after a corner, was only stopped just short of the line.

But it was if only, the Lions only really showing their form, as team, near the end, but the experience should be invaluable for the future and the management have a few things to ponder over the summer before next season’s campaign. If the lessons are learnt, the Lions will be back.

The final footnote is that the Lions showed an excellent spirit in the final, their heads not dropping and still battled to get back in the game, even when 3-0 down. Plus the support was excellent, it should not go unnoticed the number of Tigers players and parents who turned up to support, and Liam and family were their as well.

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20th April - Cov. Sphinx (H) 8-0 (W)

Cov Sphinx were the Lions next opponents at Weddy School, the away encounter had been a narrow 1-0 win and recently Cov Sphinx had held AT7 Red to a draw, something no one else had managed so far this season. Further evidence, it needed, that there are no easy games in this league, the game had an added spice, as it was Sunni’s old team.

The Lions appear to have hit form in recent weeks and started confidently, putting Cov Sphinx on the back foot, several passing moves had Cov Sphinx at full stretch. The Lions were not to be denied, Nathan found Brendan, he controlled the ball took two defenders left and passed to Nicola clear on the right, she closed in on goal made no mistake and the Lions were one up. The second went to Brendan, a toe poke from the edge of the box crept inside the right hand post, with Sunni and Jack both clear on the left he had to score and did. The third even surpassed the first, slick passing through the middle, Nicola volley passed the ball first time across the face of the goal and Sunni converted. For the fourth Nicola raced clear of the defence, put through by Jack, as she steadied to shoot a defender clipped her ankle, the shot was still too hot for the keeper to handle and Brendan following up converted. Brendan completed his hat trick by half-time. Its not that Cov Sphinx had sat back, as final man, Bradley needed on a couple of occasions to be alert and clear the danger. Cov Sphinx’s attacking options being severely limited by excellent tackling from Jack and Nathan.

The Lions started the second half in control at 5-0 up, but as with previous matches could not keep up the high standard of the first half, the Lions continued to dominate but too many times attacks faltered as the player on the ball took too many touches. The time to try things is when your 5 to the good but the Lions are at their best when the ball does the work. Eventually, the Lions increased their total, if Brendan’s goals in the first half had been unspectacular, two crashing shots in the second half made up for it. In between Brendan’s two, Jack and Sunni shepherded a cross from Nicola over the line, Jack claiming the final touch.

The final score was 8-0, with Cov Sphinx in disarray, if the football of the first half had continued into the second, who knows what the score would have been. By the end, it felt as though Cov Sphinx had been let off the hook, although it probably did not feel like to them! With two league games to go, second place is still a possibility and have the cup to look forward to, and Filey as well.

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9th April - Brinklow (H) 3-0 (W)

The return against Brinklow, the winner all most certain to finish fourth or better, plus the Lions looking to restore their winning streak against Brinklow, after the slightly fortuitous draw at Brinklow in miserable conditions. As with Sunday’s cup game, the travelling support considerably outnumbered the home support and having arrived first setup camp on our side of the pitch!

To the game, for the first few minutes Brinklow started the brighter and but for Bradley’s vigilance at the back could easily have fashioned the first chance. After this early wake-up call, the Lions moved up a gear and but for the final pass either, not being made or misplaced, should have created a few chances themselves. The Lions forced a couple of corners, after the amount of practice that’s been put in, its no surprise that the Lions threat from corners has increased. Brendan flighted a corner in from the right, Sunni met it on the volley and the Lions were one up.

For the next ten to fifteen minutes the Lions took control of the game, Nicola rifled in a shot from the left which the goalie failed to hold and Brendan was hand to poke the ball over the line. Nicola and Sunni switched wings, several times Nicola picked out Sunni with crossfield passes over the top of the defence, one of these Sunni met on the full, 3-0 to the Lions.

It stayed 3-0 to half-time, in the final few minutes of the half Brinklow reminding the Lions that given room and time on the ball they can play attractive, effective football, but the Lions have improved at defending corners, as well as taking them.

The story of the second-half is that Brinklow improved and the Lions went off the boil a little, although on several occasions the Brinklow keeper showed why he could be academy bound next season. Brinklow’s problem was that there was no way past Nathan, as he ended several promising Brinklow attacks with a well timed tackle and behind Nathan was the ‘Rock’. Not for the first time this season Bradley showed excellent composure as the last line of defence. About the only time Brinklow managed a strike on goal, Aaron pulled off an excellent save.

With the defence playing well, the Lions should have added to their lead, despite the fact that Brinklow are a well organized team with a good keeper. The Lion’s problem being too many promising positions petered out because the player in procession, having made the break or half-break hung onto the ball too long, giving Brinklow the chance to regroup and clear.

So, it was still 3-0 at the end, the Lions should now at least claim fourth place, anything better depends on the Loins remaining unbeaten, and CTK or Cov-Jag slipping up against one of the teams outside the top five.

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6th April - Pinley League Cup S-F (H) 10-0 (W)

The semi-final of the league cup gave the Lions another home tie, with Pinley the visitors, an unknown quantity from the green division of the league. Despite it being a home tie, the away support probably out numbering the home crowd. The Lions kicked off down the slope for the first half, and pinned Pinley back, but Pinley’s impressive goal keeper ensured the Lions had no reward, and with his defence in front of him prepared to put in the tackles,the game remained goalless.

The Lions have spent a considerable length of time at training practicing corners, and finally this practice bore fruit, two good corners from the right by Brendan were put away by Nicola, although neither with her head, the first a volley, the second off her knee. Nicola was denied her hat trick, when having shot home through a crowd of players the goal did not count, the referee realised the keeper had not moved to save the ball, because saving the previous shot from Ben full in the face had left him flat out in the middle of the goal.

Pinley held the Lions to 2-0 at half time, any attempts at counter attacking being comfortably dealt with by the Lions, left Aaron as a spectator, but left the management with the nagging thought that the Lions should have converted more of their chances. The change for the second half saw Brendan move to left midfield, Nathan push forward and Ben drop back into a defensive midfield role, Pinley lost their way under the constant pressure.

By the end the front three had all added goals, Nicola finishing with five, Brendan a second half hatrick and Nathan a couple, Jack even wasted a impressive dive in the box, by putting the resultant penalty wide. 10-0 was the final score, the Lions highest score of the season, not really a true reflection on Pinley, as for once the Lions were able to convert the majority of the chances they created and it just happened to be against Pinley.

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2nd April - AT7 Blue (H) 4-1 (W)

With cup ties at weekends, the Lions needed to play some league matches mid-week, the first being home against AT7 Blue, the away encounter had been a 2-2 draw. Which in the end had been a point gained rather than points lost, having struggled for much of the second half to fashion the equaliser.

The Lions quickly took the lead, Brendan turned the ball left to Sunni, he checked and squared the ball and Nicola was on hand to turn the ball into an empty net, but it was not a comfortable lead. AT7 showed plenty of skill on the ball and movement off it and all most caught the Lions out on a number of occasions. A good defensive display marshalled by Bradley, with support from Jack and Nathan preserved the Lion’s lead.

As both teams spurned chances the score remained 1-0 to the Lions. Then the best goal of the game increased the Lions lead, Jack picked the ball up from a clearance at the Lion’s end and went the length of the field, a dummy run by Brendan helped cleared the way, but Jack still had a couple of defenders to beat, before clinically tucking the ball beyond the keeper, just inside the post.

From 2-0 at half time, the Lion’s put the game beyond AT7 early in the second half, when Sunni and Brendan bundled the ball over from close quarters. The icing on the cake was the fourth, the AT7 keeper failed to hold a shot from Nicola when she cut in from the left and Brendan pounced on the free ball.

AT7 could and should have scored in the second half as well as the first to put the Lions under pressure, but a good defensive display by the Lions (Nathan being particularly tenacious in the tackle) and one fantastic save by Aaron ensured that AT7, in the end only pulled one back.

4-1 at the final whistle, the Lion’s avenged the dropped points away, possibly the Lions best performance post-Liam, who plays left side still proving a difficult problem to solve. Also, after some indifferent refereeing performances recently, this one was not too bad, who was that man in green?

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30th March - Chapelfield Colts Cov League Cup Q-F (H) 1-0 (W)

Chapelfield Colts were the visitors to Weddy School for the League cup quarter final, having beaten them home and away in the league, the Lions had to be favourites to advance. With Sunni cup-tied, Ben started playing in front of Bradley, with Nathan pushed up front and Brendan moving left to give the attack balance.

The Lions started uphill, bearing in mind the problems they had had against Brinklow, and made a bright start. The best chances of the first half all coming together from a corner, Jack shot from wide left, his shot was blocked, his second go came back of the post, a goal mouth scramble resulted and Bradley eventually lifted the ball over the bar. Chapelfield attempted to hit the Lions on the break, but good tackles by all meant Aaron was a spectator for much of the first half.

Deadlocked after the first half, the management moved the team around, Brendan reverting to centre-forward with Nicola and Ben on the wings, and Nathan returning to a defensive midfield role. The Lions continued to dominate procession but still could not fashion the killer blow, Nathan put in several strong tackles to ensure Chapelfield struggled to threaten the Lion’s goal but it remained 0-0.

Finally, the Lions broke the deadlock, Nicola played a one-two with Brendan through the middle, then flicked the ball left into Ben’s path, his excellent shot gave the Chapelfield keeper no chance. 1-0 was to be the final score, the expected Lions victory but a much improved performance from Chapelfield made the Lions work all the way for the win, again showing that there are no easy games in the Coventry League.

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16th March - Brinklow (A) 2-2 (D)

Although not actually raining, it was cold and miserable for the Lions away trip to Brinklow. In previous encounters the Lions had never lost to Brinklow, but league results suggest there would not be a lot between the two teams and that who ever gets the upper hand over the two matches, the home league match being still to come, would most likely claim at least fourth place in the league.

The Lions elected to play down the slope, with the wind for the first half, using the conditions to their advantage, pinned Brinklow back into their own half. It’s been said more than once, when on top, the Lions need to turn procession into chances into goals. Although having the majority of the ball for the first fifteen minutes the Brinklow keeper only had to make one save, a corner from Nicola drifted in and helped goal ward by the wind was tipped over the bar.

Finally the goal came, Jack picked out Brendan, he flicked the ball left, from the by-line Sunni checked and crossed the ball, it eluded the defenders, keeper and Brendan in the middle, but Nicola, closing in on the back post, side footed the ball into an empty net.

The Lions should have added to this, but half-time came with only one goal separating the teams. From the start of the second half Brinklow showed how to use the conditions, three or four long range shots rained in on goal picking up pace in the swirling wind, but a couple of excellent saves by Aaron preserved the Lions lead. But it was not to be, from one such shot Brinklow took the lead, Aaron failed to gather and the ball was in the net. Worse was to follow, the Lions failed to clear from a corner and a well hit shot gave Aaron no chance.

From being in front the Lions were behind and for a five/ten minute period heads dropped and Brinklow should have added to their lead. But whilst those in front of him lost their way for awhile, Aaron maintained his concentration and kept the Lions in the game. A fine solo run from Jack showed the fight was still there, but it would take teamwork and the Lions passing game back in gear to get anything from the game. As Brinklow had proved in the first half, creating anything against the slope and the wind was very difficult, but good passing moves involving Sunni, Nicola, Jack and Nathan proved it was possible, and at least three chances went begging.

In the final few minutes the Lions managed the equaliser their play deserved, a speculative shot from Brendan found its way into the net, and then the Lions were awarded a free kick, within Brendan’s range after a foul on Nathan, but the resulting shot is best forgotten, a win for the Lions would have been a bit harsh on Brinklow.

So a battling a draw, and fourth place rests on the result of the return at Weddington, after the referee’s performance at CTK its good to report the referee handled the game well, to the neutral a draw was probably a fair result from a game played in a good spirit in miserable conditions.

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2nd March - Christ the King (A) 1-1 (D)

The return against Christ the King, after a narrow home win, hopes were high of getting something from the game. The Lions started well but with CTK defence well organised, failed to create any clear cut chances to test the CTK keeper. The game settled into an early pattern with the Lions pressing and CTK hitting the Lions on the break. An interesting development for this game was that the one corner was too boggy to take corners from, so all corners at the one end had to be taken from the same side. The Lions had early warning of how dangerous CTK were from corners, struggling to clear a couple. It was from one of these failed clearances that CTK took the lead; the ball bounced around a few yards out, was not cleared and then hammered home.

It was a shame the Lions were to fall behind, as defensively the Lions had been well organised, Aaron clear with his calling, Bradley dealing comfortably with any free balls that found their way through and Jack probably having one of his best games for sometime. At the other end, in attack the Lions were not as threatening as usual, Nicola and Brendan being effectively marked out of the game, Sunni as ever was an enthusiastic receiver but Jack and Nathan need options to stretch the defence.

The second half started with the Lions struggling to break CTK down, without a substitute the management had limited options to set CTK different problems, Nicola and Sunni switched sides, but there was a reluctance to move to plan B. Finally, the Lions at least managed to force a corner, Nicola swung it in and Sunni met it just beyond the near post, his excellent header pulled the Lions level.
The Lions tried to step it up, but several one on one challenges, invariably seemed to result in a CTK injury, a CTK free kick and certainly disrupted the flow of the game. An impartial observer might have thought, maybe, the Lions need to tone it down a little, but suspicion was thrown back on these decisions, when with a minute or so to go, the referee awarded CTK a penalty. From a corner, Bradley and an attacker tussled for the ball on the edge of the box, the attacker went down and Bradley cleared. On first impression it looked innocuous, where is the replay on the big screen when you really need it. Fortunately, for the Lions, the penalty taker blasted high and wide. In the final seconds, the Lions did have a corner, but in the rush to take it, Nicola probably delivered one of her poorest corners of the season.

The final result, a draw, in the final minutes it could have much worse with a very debatable penalty and another match the Lions might have had snatched away. To challenge next season this is the type of game the Lions need to sneak at the death, not loose. The lasting impression of the game, apart from the penalty, will be that the Lions need decent squad players to able to freshen things up when the play gets stuck in a rut.

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24th Feb - Caludon Youth (H) 8-0 (W)

The return against Caludon, a reasonably comfortable away result meant a win was expected and an opportunity to try plan B, so the Lions lined up with 2 up front, without the usual two wide wing backs. However, Caludon played with a spirit, which belied their lowly league position and although the Lions had some good early chances, good keeping and a few wayward shots meant the score remained 0-0. But for a good save by Aaron, Caludon might have taken the lead. The Lions did get the ball into the net, Nicola setting Brendon up on the edge of the box, but the ref had already blown for a foul on Sunni (although a replacement whistle was needed as no sound was heard!).

Nearing halftime, the Lions turned sustained pressure into a deserved goal. Nicola shaped to shoot, but rolled the ball left to Nathan, with the defence and keeper wrong footed Nathan picked his spot and the Lions were one up.

For the second half, the Lions reverted to plan A, the tried and trusted, and either Caludon started to tire or because of familiarity, the Lions quickly added a couple of goals. A typical power driver from Brendan for 2-0, and Sunni was on hand to turn a cross in at the far post for 3-0. Three became five and Caludon’s spirit was broken, Brendan converted a cross from Nicola and Jack picked up a through ball inside the box for his first league goal of the season. Number six was Brendan’s hatrick, Nicola left two defenders trailing in her wake, as they appeared to tackle each other, she drew the remaining defender and crossed into the box, where the Lions had four players queuing up to score.

Caludon rallied and should have pulled one back, but again, an excellent save by Aaron maintained the Lions’ clean sheet. At the other end, Nicola trapped a swinging cross from Nathan and calmly rolled the ball over the line for the Lions’ seventh. A cross by Sunni, from the right, was missed by everyone and crept in at the far post for number eight.

A good performance by the Lions in the second half against a spirited Caludon side, a clean sheet as well, when needed Brad and Aaron did their jobs well. Does plan B have a future, only time will tell?
Liam will be missed and we wish him all the very best with his opportunity with Coventry City but this leaves the team with a problem, change the system to cover for his absence, or fit the players to the existing system, over to the management.

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17th - Feb Earlsdon Dragons (A) 0-5 (W)

Back to the League, after last weeks cup game, and the Lions visited Earlsdon, a late kick-off gave Nicola chance to get back in time from Devon (her reward to be captain for the day), and the Lions, for the third time in a row, went into a game with no subs. On the plus side, Sunni was finally able to make his debut, initially on the left, covering for the missing Liam.

Initially Sunni’s infectious enthusiasm made him a magnet for the ball and after a ‘suspect’ few minutes (Nathan ?) Nathan and Jack took control of midfield, with most of the Lion’s attacks being funnelled down the Lion’s left. Despite a lot of hustle and bustle, no clear cut chances were created, but Earlsdon, other than a few solo runs easily dealt with by Brad, found it difficult to get out of their own half.

In contrast to down the Lion’s left, things were more laidback down the right, but finally given a decent ball, Nicola accelerated past a couple of defenders and cut the ball back into the box, but for an excellent save, the Lions would have taken a deserved lead. At this point, there were mutterings on the side lines about a repeat of the draw at Leamington, but the Lions have definitely upped their game in the last month and were not to be denied. A good pass from Nathan to Brendan inside the box, he dummied the defender, stepped to one side and gave the goalkeeper no chance, from almost a repeat move the Lions went two up.

Sunni continued to cause Earlsdon problems down the left, his only problem being, more often then not, the required shot or cross fell to his wrong foot, his left, being naturally right footed. So the management made a tactical switch, moving the left footed Brendan out to the left, pulling Nicola into centre-forward and allowing Sunni to attack down the right. This immediately upped the threat on Earlsdon and only good goal keeping kept the score to two, but it could not last, Nicola poked a lose ball in the box home for the third, and then Jack found Nicola and the edge of the box, a quick turn, she ghosted past the last defender and rounded the keeper for a composed fourth.

From a comfortable lead at halftime, which could easily have been more, a substantial win was on the cards, the only threat on the Lions goal coming when Brad attempted to dribble out of defence, definitely a move that needs more work, with a success rate of one from three!

The goals expected in the second half did not materialise, the Lions attacks disappointingly petering out with few threats on goal. Not one particular reason why, but a combination of factors, Brendan with a heavy cold asked to be switched back to the middle, as the up an down runs, expected by system played by the Lions took their toll. The urgency evident in the first half disappeared from the game, plus Earlsdon continued to plug away, blocking and tackling when given the chance.

The final goal should have been an excellent individual goal by Nathan, a brilliant mazy run left three defenders trailing, his shot was half stopped by the keeper, the ball was then shepherded over the line by a combination of Brendan and Sunni, Sunni finally lashing home from a couple of inches out.

A wins a win and the Lions remain in the mix for a high finish, credit to Earlsdon for battling through to the end and Sunni capped a promising debut with a goal.

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10th Feb - Coundon Court (H) 2nd Round Cov League Cup 9-0(W)

For the second round of the Coventry League Cup, the Lions entertained Coundon Court from the Blue Division of the League, not having the best of seasons in the league, but a very convincing win in the first round of the cup. The Lions quickly took control of the game, a few of sweeping moves opened up Coundon, but not for the first time, the impressive shooting from training and practice was not evident in the game. Naming no names, but she knows who was particularly wasteful.

Perhaps out of frustration, Brendan took a trademark charge toward goal and his unstoppable shot put the Lions in a deserved lead. From then on the goals followed at regular intervals, Nathan found Jack standing a few yards out from goal (?) for the second, number three was a powerful shot from Nicola, on target this time, through the goalkeeper’s legs, number four from Nathan a lob from the edge of the penalty area and the fifth from Liam a rifled shot from a very tight angle.

By halftime, 5-0 down, Coundon’s game plan turned to damage limitation, and they had a better second half keeping things tighter. Brendan notched a deserved hatrick, Nicola strolled a ball into the net the goalkeeper unfortunately dropped trying to save a corner and Liam helped a half blocked shot from Jack into the net.

The 9-0 win took the Lions into the third round of the Coventry League Cup, they could and should have scored more, Nicola, in particular missing the target at the end of a couple of moves that deserved a goal. The other failing, which belonged to last season not this, was a desperation, by some to shoot and score, when a pass may well have created an easier chance, but in the cup 1-0 will do, so onwards to the next round, and hope to avoid AT7 Red or Cov-Jag Red in the next round?

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3rd Feb - Christ the King (H) 2-1 (W)

The Lions first league game since 7th December saw Christ the King visit Weddington School, Christ the King started the season with an unbeaten run and only a recent defeat to Cov-Jag had spoilt their record. If the Lions had ambitions to finish higher than their current 5th then victories against near rivals, such as Christ the King are needed.

The game did not start well for the Lions, a few tip-tappy passes by the Lions gave CTK the ball, they attacked down the Lions’ left, a cross into the box should have been cleared, but the Lion’s hesitation was punished, 1-0 to CTK.

With only a few minutes gone, not the ideal start, but if the Coventry League has taught the team anything is that there is time to comeback, no need to panic. With encouragement from the sidelines the Lions regrouped, with Jack and Nathan breaking up most attacks before they became a threat and Brad clearing up anything that did get through. With Liam up against CTK’s most creative influence, the Lion’s biggest threat would come from the Lion’s right, two or three excellent crosses and a shot just over the bar from Nicola, served notice to CTK that one goal was unlikely to be enough. It was from the right the equaliser came, some might claim it was a little fortunate, Nicola’s cross drifted into the far post, dropping on the line, the CTK defender’s attempted clearance only helped it over the line. Fortunate or not, the Lion’s were deservedly back level. Despite a couple of scares, the Lions went into the half-time break level.

The second half started with a few heavy challenges, which the referee chose to let go, this seemed to upset the CTK support rather than the Lion’s. CTK supporters had even more to think about when after a short corner, a pinpoint cross from Brendan was volleyed home by Liam. The Lion’s then fought well to preserve their lead, despite a blatant dive in the area in attempt to gain a penalty and a conceding a late free kick, just outside the area, the Lions held on for their first win against one of the top sides.

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6th Jan - Cov Jag Blue (H) League Cup 9 - 1 (W)

A much needed boost after the last cup match, can the Lions carry this kind of form into the remaining league fixtures ? We can but hope, at last the front three hit the target with some regularity. A clean sheet would have been the crowning glory but we cannot have everything.

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7th December - St Nics Colts (H) 1 - 3 (L) Tamworth Cup

Least said the better, by all accounts the Lions had enough chances to have at least forced a draw. The post, the bar and some excellent goal keeping kept the Lions at bay, Villa girls' loss being the Colts gain on this occaision, we will not tell the Villa how well you did in goal Danielle, honest.

The Colts took their chances and dumped the Lions out of the cup, so its good luck to the Colts in the next round, and if the Colts really have found the secret of converting chances into goals, please could you let us in on it !.

The Lion's rollercoaster season continues, but the level of football the Lions need to play every week can only benefit them in the future. The Lion's league trophy appears to have found safe hands, there is a rumour the Lions will be back in the Nuneaton League next season to try and rest the league trophy back form the Colts. Not a rumour supported by anyone from the Lions camp though !

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2nd December - Chapelfield Colts (A) 1-7 (W)

The return against Chapelfield Colts saw the Lions visit a venue with happy memories from the summer, as through a golden goal, the Lions won Chapelfield’s tournament.
Despite the early morning rain, the pitch was in excellent condition and having won the previous encounter, after an early hiccup, a positive result was anticipated and a good performance hoped for.

Uncharacteristically, the Lions did not start well, a poor pass from the kick off gave procession away, a hopeful punt forward was not cleared, and Chapelfield should have scored. Chapelfield created two further good chances, as Nathan and Jack failed to gain any control in midfield. A cross flashed across the six yard area and any touch could have sent the ball goal ward, and within minutes, one on one with, only Aaron to beat, the Chapelfield attacker picked out the post !

Lucky to be still level at 0-0, the Lions mounted the first serious attack, an attacking move initiated by Bradley, through Nicola, into Brendan; he could have passed onto Liam, clear on the left, but went on his own. An excellent finish, he can be forgiven this time, and against the run of play the Lions had taken the lead. Chapelfield where possibly a little shell shocked, and quickly found themselves further behind. Brendan setup by Jack and Nathan added a second. Nicola, after three attempts from Liam’s cross, added number three (a air kick, a mis-kick before a clean strike) and number four Nicola hit through the keeper’s legs. Through not taking their early chances, Chapelfield were trailing 4-0, something the Lion’s coaches can sympathise with from several matches this season. Before half-time, Brendan added a fifth and the Lion’s without playing well, from a start when they could easily have been 1, 2 or even 3 down, went into the break comfortably in the lead.

Alex replaced Brendan up front, and had several good runs on goal. A combination of more powerful shooting and better decision making,on when to pass, and when not, and the Lions could easily have extended their lead. Jack, and in particular Nathan, now had control of the midfield, nothing went past and several good passes started several attacks on Chapelfield’s goal.

Chapelfield started to get frustrated, both on and off the pitch, Bradley the Rock seemed to particularly annoy them, simply by doing his job well, but unfortunately Bradley let it get to him and after being kicked one too many times retaliated. To give Bradley chance to cool down, Brendan returned wide left and Liam dropped back to the anchor role. At this point, Chapelfield scored the first goal of the second half, with the Lion’s pressing, they were hit on the break and this time Chapelfield managed to get an attacker in goal, and the shot gave Aaron no chance.

Again, the Lions reorganised, Liam returned to wide right, Brendan moved over to striker and Alex moved back into defence. A strong run by Liam, down the left and his shot squeezed in at the near post, the Lions had attackers free in the middle, so having decided to shoot, Liam had to score, but he did. Before the end the Lions added a seventh, Brendan picked up a ball on the edge of the box, did he stumble or pass the ball onto Nathan, either way, from his assist, Nathan picked his spot and the Lions were 7-1 up.

The Lions showed the benefit of taking their chances, Chapelfield were a little unlucky to walk off with only one goal to show for their efforts, maybe this will get the Lions season back on track.

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25th Nov - AT7 Red (A) 1-0 (L)

The return against AT7 Red, who, since the home encounter with the Lions, have remained unbeaten, whilst the Lions have struggled in recent weeks to get the results their play deserves. So it would be a good bench mark to see if our team could still compete with the best in the league.

AT7 started the brighter, moping up anything the Lions offered in attack, and threatening the Lions goal with two or three good early chances. Liam was kept very busy in the opening 10-15 minutes, but more as a defender than attacker. He was more than equal to the task, popping up from nowhere at one point to make a last ditch goal line clearance, and saving a certain goal.

Nicola struggled to make the same impact down the right, but a mistake in the AT7 box and the ball fell into her path off a defenders heel, her snap shot ricocheting off a covering defender for a corner. This seemed to wake her up, on the next attack she harried and disposed the left back, but through either annoyance or embarrassment, the attempted retrieving tackle meant Nicola’s involvement in the first half was curtailed. Unfortunately, Brendan’s well hit free kick was well saved by the excellent AT7 keeper, and the tackle and the unnecessary comments from the side went unpunished.

In the final few minutes of the half, a Lions’ attack broke down and a swift counter attack by AT7, down the Lion’s left, across field to the Lion’s right put AT7 attacker free, still some distance from goal but a good strike gave Aaron no chance, reminiscent of a similar strike from the first game.

The Lions responded well in the second half, Nicola returned and a couple of defence splitting passes gave Brendan, half a yard on his defender, and against any other side would surely have reaped their just rewards. For most of the second half the Lions, matched AT7 around the pitch and but for some excellent goal keeping would have equalised.

The Lions final throw of the dice was to bring on Alex for Nicola, as the Lions continued to press, two excellent saves by Aaron kept the Lions in the game. In the final minute Alex had the final chance to equalise, but his spectacular half volley flashed just wide.

Special mention must be made of Jack and Nathan covering and tackling, which restricted AT7 to very few chances, defensively for much of the game the Lions dealt well with AT7, so well done to Bradley as well. At the end, maybe AT7 just deserved to shade the game, but a draw in either game and even in both would have been no more than the Lions deserved. The trick now for the Lions is to carry this form into future games, something the more experienced AT7 are managing well so far.

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18th Nov - Ernsford Dynamoes (H) 5-0 (W)

The result was never in doubt, the muddy goal mouth probably helped keep the score down. Brendon, Liam, Nathan, Bradley and Nicola all claim to have scored at least one, and good to have kept another clean sheet.

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10th Nov - Polesworth Swifts (A) Tamworth Cup - 1-2 (W)

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11th Nov - Coventry Sphinx (A) 0-1 (W)

After a good, if narrow, win in the Tamworth Cup the day before, the Lions returned to league action with a visit to Coventry Sphinx. A good win pre-season at Sphinx, and some tournament victories, notably at Bedworth Eagles meant, despite recent league form, the management and travelling supporters had every reason to expect a victory. Only the low temperatures, and threatening black clouds, threatened to dampen that expectation.

With Liam absent, Alex deputised wide left, but again the Lions were taking the risk of having no subs.The game soon fell into the familiar pattern, the Lions pressed, the opposition defended. Again, as is the norm in Coventry, the defence was well organised, and the early goal the play deserved (and was needed to settle the nerves of those watching) did not come.

Mid-way through the first half, Brendan collected the ball inside Sphinx’s half, he moved toward the right, so Nicola cut inside, Brendan found Nicola, and with one touch flicked the ball left, leaving Alex in the clear, he picked his spot and the Lions had deservedly taken the lead. The Lions continued to dominate, with the majority of the procession, without creating another clear cut chance. Bradley supported by Jack, Nathan and Nicola, ensured Aaron had little to do. However, there was a reminder, just before halftime, of how slender a single goal lead is, Alex lost the ball to what looked like a foul, but stayed on his feet, Jack repeated the foul but the attacker went down, and Sphinx had a free kick just outside the Lions penalty area. Fortunately Aaron was up to the task and turned the powerful shot around the post.

1-0 at half-time was to be the final score, highlights of the second half being a powerful drive from Nicola tipped over by the keeper and an excellent header by Nathan that skimmed the bar from a corner. Credit to Sphinx resolute defending made them hard to breakdown, but the suspicion remained at the end, that one of the top teams may have made the Lions pay for not turning pressure into goals. On the positive side for the Lions a clean sheet, and two wins in two days, next up in the League, Ernsford.

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4th Nov - Leanington Hibs (A) 0-0 (D)

At short notice the Lions headed for Leamington and a return against Hibs, rather than the expected encounter with Christ the King. First impressions were; a good pitch, no molehills and a gentle slope. This time Leamington were at full strength with subs, but the Lions numbered only 7, so no subs with Liam having been taken ill overnight.

The Lions started brightly up the slope, putting Leamington on the back foot, with Alex linking well on the left, covering for the absent Liam. The Lions carved out a couple of reasonable chances, but for the second match in a row scoring boots seemed to have been left at home, Leamington held firm and the game remained goal less.

After about ten minutes Leamington had a sustained period of pressure down their right, the Lions left, and the Lions struggled to clear their lines, taking the safety first approach of touch and conceding corners. Despite a couple of missed tackles, and a couple of air kicks, on the whole the defensive trio of Bradley, Nathan and Jack, dealt comfortably with Leamington’s attacks, leaving Aaron little to worry about, despite one save jarring his fingers.

The Lions needed to up the tempo, and Nicola did try to get the Lions going, two or three raking passes quickly turned defence into attack, three or four good corners into the box, but Leamington were equal to what the Lions could throw at them. Despite having most of the play, good chances were hard to come by, and even the half chances flew high or wide, it did not help the Lions cause that Leamington’s keeper also made a couple of very good saves. So, at half time the game was goal less, the Lions in control but not turning pressure into goals, not converting the good chances and snatching at the half chances.

Down the slope, the Lions continued to dominate the game, with Leamington only able to hit back occasionally, but the home game had shown that the Lions needed to be alert, as, given a chance Leamington would be more than capable of sneaking a goal, and as the game went on it was likely that one goal would prove to be enough. On points, the Lions were well ahead but goals win games and still the Lions could not score, a combination of good defending, good keeping (in particular one save from Alex), poor shooting and being guilty, at times, of one touch too many, started to frustrate those on and off the pitch.

With no subs, the Lions coaches did what they could to change things, Brendan moved wide left, Nathan pushed up in the middle, and Alex dropped back to support Jack in the middle, but still the elusive goal did not come. The final chance summed up the game, Bradley stabbed the ball goal wards from a few yards to the left of the goal, but the ball rolled agonisingly past the right hand post.
The game ended goalless, the first in the Lions short league history, on the plus side a clean sheet for in particular Aaron and Bradley, but whole team had worked well defensively. The problem is the cutting edge has currently deserted the team in attack and it is difficult to put a finger on why. Perhaps the cup game at the weekend will allow the coaches to shake things up a little, and kick start the Lions season.

So, the Tamworth Cup next, a competition some of the dads have done well in, in the past, it would be great for the team to match the feats of the past, but one game at a time, and at the moment, a good win will do.

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28th October - Cov Jag (H) 1-2 (L)

Cov-Jag where the latest visitors to Weddington School, Cov-Jag had often proved to be the Lions downfall in past tournaments, so it would have been good to put one over them in the League, although current form suggested another tight game would be in prospect.

The Lions kicked off, and started with a very high tempo, and everyone, especially Cov-Jag, and possibly even Brendan, were taken by surprise when he found himself clean through on the left within the first minute, unfortunately his shot flashed past the right hand post. The Jag are another team, who appeared well organised defensively, closing down the player with the ball quickly, but the Lions had them at full stretch moving the ball around the field at speed, arguably the best they have played so far this season. The Lions had a bit of luck for goal when it came, Liam took a good corner from the right, which caused a little panic in Jag’s defence, and the ball was sliced into the net by an unlucky defender. The Lions deserved the lead, and with Jack and Nathan controlling midfield and Bradley assured at the back, the Lions had the basis to push home their advantage, but the second goal did not come. One chance summed up the half, when from what appeared inches, the ball was blasted wide. In the end, a top class save by Aaron preserved the lead into the half time break. Depending on whether you’re a pessimist or optimist, the Lions should have been between 2 and 5 goals to the good by half-time, but for the second week in a row, chances were going begging.

The Lions started in the second half on top, but lost some of the their fluency from the first half, several of the attacks faded out, with either a long range shot, or no shot at all. As the Lions began to tire, the Jag gained a foothold in the game and in the final ten minutes the Lions paid dearly for not taking the earlier chances. Two rash challenges around the edge of the box, two free kicks, two goals conceded. The first an excellent strike gave Aaron no chance, the second he did manage to block but an attacker, following up, steered the ball home.

In the end it was a second defeat, on the first forty minutes the Lions deserved to win, but credit to Cov-Jag, they were resolute and organized in defence, and took their chances when they were presented to them. So, lots of positives to be taken from the game, and some things for the coaches and players to go away and think about. Nobody was under any illusions that the Coventry League would be a step up in standard, the Lions now need to respond to the challenge. There is no respite with Christ the King next, on results so far, the best defence in the League and not bad in attack either.

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14th Oct - AT7 Blue (A) 2-2 (D)

AT7 Blue away on Morris Common, the next step on the Lions adventure into the Coventry League. No subs as Jack was away on holiday, but past meetings and current league form suggested the Lions would be favourites, although the last weeks have shown that there are few easy games in the Coventry League.

The Lions made a bright start causing AT7 problems down both flanks, but AT7 posted early warning signs of what they were capable of, with a couple of quick attacks on the break, which the Lions struggled to deal with. From the early pressure the Lions should have taken the lead, but the final shot let them down, with the keeper untroubled between the sticks. The first goal when it came, was a good team goal, the ball broke right, Nicola collected, into Brendan, he flicked it left, Liam cut inside his defender and fired home. The Lions should have quickly increased their lead, Liam shot from the left when a cross would have been the better option, twice Nicola cut the ball back from the right, but just behind Brendan and Liam, and a good penalty shout was denied when Brendan was upended unceremoniously in the box.

The Lions were to pay dearly for not taking these chances, a good cross from the Lions left was met with a good header, unchallenged, and AT7 were level.Worse was to follow for the Lions, with the Lions over committed to attack on a corner, a clearance let run by Nicola to Alex, his control failed him and AT7 had two attackers in on goal. Against the run of play, AT7 had taken the lead. A lesson for the Lions, not to go chasing the game when there is plenty of time left.

The score remained 2-1, until halftime, many of the players were still muttering about the penalty decision, and needed a few harsh words from the coaches, to get their minds back on track, plus a reminder that if they played the way they were capable and took some of the chances that came their way, they were only one goal down.

The Lions started the second half well, and had AT7 on the back foot, but the equaliser would not come. The Lions supporters began to think it would not come, shots went high and wide and the AT7 keeper actually had little to do, Credit to the AT7 defence, who were holding out well under the pressure. As the defenders tired, a few challenges caught Nicola in particular, and Brendan late, and finally the referee thought sufficiently late to award a free kick, two in quick succession on the edge of the box, but with a wall (perhaps not back 5 yards) between the taker and the goal, a plan B is needed to save wasting these opportunities, one high and wide the other into the wall.

Finally, the Lions drew level, Nicola pushed a ball goal ward, and from less than a yard out Brendan smashed the ball into the net, relief all round. Despite instructions from the side, to at least keep what they had gained, the Lions again went chasing the game. Everyone up for a corner, AT7 broke and should have retaken the lead, the striker scuffing his shot, put off by the heavy breathing down his neck as the Lions tried in vain to get back.

A draw when a win had been expected, the Lions had enough chances to win the game, although having stretched AT7 initially down the flanks, the Lions did not seem able to get the ball out wide as well in the second half. Credit to the Lions for keeping going through the second half when things did seem to be conspiring against them, they kept the heads up and did finally get the equaliser, but several things to work on before the next match.

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7th Oct - Caludon Youth (A) 1-8 (W)

Second away match of the season saw the Lions travel to St Gregorys school to play Caludon, a team currently at the wrong end of the table. Having arrived early some of the team had to be called away from a children’s playground (?) to warm-up for the match.

Within seconds of the start, Nicola hit the target with a shot from outside the box and the Lions were one up, not many minutes later a good move setup Brendan and he made no mistake for the second. Against a lesser team this may have lead to an avalanche of goals, but it was to be Caludon who could easily have scored next and even equalised. It needed two excellent saves from Aaron to keep Caludon out, Aaron of a few months ago may well have not made those saves, which shows how all departments of the Lions game are improving.

The Lions were perhaps guilty of sitting back and thinking that they had done the hard work, and were again reminded that this was the Coventry League, all teams given time and space can play football. After these two scares, Alex, playing the last defender role tightened things up, Jack and Nathan took control of the midfield and Caludon had no further chances to hit back.

The Lions extended their lead before half-time, Nathan to Nicola, a cross field ball to toward Liam, it took an unexpected bounce and Liam ‘shinned’ the ball into the goal for the third, a long throw from Nicola caused panic into Caludon’s penalty area and Nathan calmly slotted the forth.

At the start of the second half, Caludon struggled to deal with the Brendan’s power when shooting for goal, two half chances, two powerful shots on target and the Lion’s moved onto six. Caludon’s coaches were now concerned with damage limitation as the Lions continued to press. A cross field ball from Liam to Nicola, the ball was lifted into the box and Brendan’s fourth and the Lions seventh. Then Caludon had a slice of luck, Nicola miscontrolled a ball down the right, an air kick in defence, (who owns up to that one), and Caludon scored a consolation goal, which they probably deserved but meant again the Lions failed to keep a clean sheet.

There was still time for Brendan to add another, Nicola to claim another assist, and the Lions, in the end, ran out comfortable winners, without, again, showing the form from the Bedworth Eagles game. Not a worry while the wins keep coming, just a thought that team might be getting a little complacent, as with a bit more bite and urgency in the build-up play, a clean sheet should have been possible, if not more goals.

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30th Sept - Leamington Hibs (H) 4-1 (W)

Leamington Hibs were the latest visitors to Weddington School, the match started a little late and with Leamington a player short, on his way we were lead to believe. There was a further holdup as running repairs were made to the pitch, some mole holes needed filling.

The Lions kicked off and immediately had Leamington on the back foot, within minutes Brendan was able to bundle the ball over the line for the Lions first. The Lions should have added to their total, goal line technology would probably have awarded them a second. After the early set back, Leamington set out their stall to not concede any further goals, and with a combination of good saves from their keeper and resolute defending they succeeded. The Lions did not help their cause by starting good moves but regularly delaying the final pass too long, and having created an opening Leamington were able to get back and cover.

Leamington reached halftime without conceding further goals, and occasionally threatening to hit the Lions on the break, the free flowing football of a week ago seemed a distant memory.

The Lions did eventually run out winners, with Brendan adding three further second half goals, a creditable performance by Leamington, who also sneaked a consolation goal. A lesson maybe for the Lions, that everyone can not be committed to attack, if it breaks down, all teams in Coventry are capable of making you pay.

In the end another win for the Lions, there are no easy games in Coventry, as some seemed to think before the start, but with all the things that happened in the second half the Lions deserve credit for chalking up another win.

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23rd Sept - Bedworth Eagles (A) 0-7 (W)

The Lions first away match was to be at Nicholas Chamberlain against Bedworth Eagles, a team the Lions have met a few times in tournaments and the games have all ways been tight, generally the result being either a draw or a narrow victory to the Lions. After the Eagles excellent result the previous week another tight encounter was expected. The further question to be answered was, whether the Lions manager, having chosen a beer festival over a league match, would be missed.

In the first few minutes, both teams created openings and both keepers were fortunate not to be picking the ball out of the back of the net. As the half progressed, the Lions looked the more potent attacking force, but when defending gave the Eagles a little too much room, respect (?), for the Lions coaches liking and supporters nerves.

Deservedly the Lions took the lead, with a mazy run through the Eagles’ defence, possibly not by the most direct route, Brendan fashioned himself chance, which he duly despatched. After a shaky start, a double air kick from the Lions defenders allowed the ball to slip otside the Lions left hand post, all most giving the Bedworth an equaliser, Bradley and Alex tightened things up at the back with a few well timed challenges and interceptions. This released Jack to prompt Lions as an attacking force, with some well placed passes through the Eagles defence.

Unfortunately, a very late challenge on Jack ended his first half involvement, from the drop ball, Brendan exacted the best revenge, showing excellent close control, he ran at the Eagles defence and picked his spot, for his, and the Lions second. With Nathan slotting in for Jack, the Lions continued to press, and Nicola’s pass put Brendan in for his hatrick.

Starting the second half three goals to the good, visibly gave the Lions increased confidence, Aarons handling looked noticeable more assured and instead of sitting back the Lions continued to attack. Nicola dispossessed the Eagles’ left winger, and her ball over the top found Brendan in acres of space, and the Lions were four up. At this Bedworth appeared to wilt, some excellent crosses from Liam and Nicola, some good interchanges between Nathan and Jack, and the Bedworth goal was leading a charmed life. Goals five and six duly arrived, both from outside the box from Nicola, both hit with precision rather than power.

But the best strike for goal was saved for last, from possibly an unexpected source, a well directed corner by Liam, was met on the volley and screamed into the net, an early contender for goal of the season from Bradley, sneaking up unnoticed from the back.

An excellent win for the Lions, all eight players making valuable contributions, and the manager, where ever he maybe, could enjoy a pint or two, safe in the knowledge his team had won handsomely without him !

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16th Sept - Chapelfield Colts (H) 5-2 (W)

Chapelfield Colts were the Lion’s second visitors in the Coventry League; both teams had suffered an opening day defeat and so were looking for a change in fortunes.

The Lions kicked off down the slope and pressed for the early opening. Chapelfield showed again the strength in depth of the Coventry League (8th last season), being organised in defence, and capable of mounting effective counter attacks, although some of the Lions early shots should have but did not threaten the goal, shooting practice could be in order at the next training session for some! The Lions paid for missing those early chances, Chapelfield broke down the Lions left, a missed tackle and a shot squeezed in at Aaron’s near post. Against the run of play the Lions were one down, they continued to attack but not take the chances that came their way, the next goal had to come, and it all most went to Chapelfield, as a shot flew perilously close to Aaron’s right hand post. Nearing half-time, Brendan took on himself to get the equaliser, a mazy run from just inside Chapelfield’s half, took him into the box, having ignored Nicola free right and Liam free left, he had to score or face the coaches wrath at the break. He gave the keeper no chance, and the Lions had deservedly equalised.

At the start of the second half, the Lions tried plans B, C and D to try and take control of the match, their play, apart from the finishing, of the first half deserved. Nathan had a short go down the middle, Alex was then tried wide right and finally Nicola was bought back on, on the left, but if anything, on the balance of play, Chapelfield should have retaken the lead. Aaron needed to be one his toes to make a couple of good saves and Bradley needed to make some well timed interventions to keep Chapelfield at bay.

So back to plan A, and immediately it had the desired affect, Brendan released Liam with a well weighted pass, he closed in on goal and took his chance well, Nicola then hit the target with a cross cum shot from the right and the Lions were 3-1 to the good. To finish Chapelfield off, Nathan controlled a corner on the edge of the box and his well hit shot made it 4-1, but Chapelfield were not finished, and immediately hit back. No one took responsibility for a loose ball in the box and Chapelfield had reduced the deficit. To finally finish Chapelfield off, a good move gave Nicola a chance from the right, and the keeper was unable to hold the shot, there was no way back from 5-2 for Chapelfield and that was the final score.

Good win for the Lions by the end, the Lions may have deserved a couple more goals but the big lesson is that teams from Coventry battle to the final whistle and Chapelfield where no exception.

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9th Sept - AT7 (H) 1-2 (L)

The Lions first league match in the Coventry League, AT7 at home, last season’s runners up, so a very tough opening game. The pitch looked great, after the sterling efforts of the parents the afternoon before, unfortunately the Tigers had failed to christen it with a win, could the Lions.

From the kick-off it was a high tempo game, AT7 probably holding the balance of power after the early exchanges, but tenacious tackling by Alex and Jack, and some calm clearances by Bradley ensured that Aaron, in the Lions goal, was not under threat. The speed of the Lions on the break was keeping the AT7 defenders on their toes, on one such break, an excellent cross field ball from Nicola gave Liam an excellent chance from the left, his shot could only be parried by the AT7 keeper and Brendan, following-up, put the ball in the net.

AT7 continued to press, and forced a succession of corners, but each was dealt with competently by the Lions, a big improvement on the game against Castle Donington. From one such corner, the ball broke to the outside the Lions’ area, the attacker was not closed down and a well hit, but speculative shot, gave Aaron no chance, and AT7 the equaliser.

The high tempo continued into the second half with the Lions giving as good as they got, only a few well timed tackles and interceptions preventing the Lions from creating anything but half-chances, but similarly Alex, Jack and Bradley stopped AT7 from creating any clear cut openings.

Midway through the second half, Jack needed a break and Nathan took his place, with only a few minutes remaining, Liam took a knock and Jack returned, moving Nathan out left, at this point both coaching teams would have taken the draw, but unfortunately it was not to be, another well hit shot from outside the box, again gave Aaron no chance and what was to prove to be the winner.

A tough baptism for the Lions, the performance deserved a draw, several plusses for the Lions, and if this is the level of football required to compete in the Coventry League, the decision to switch can only benefit the players’ development.

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7th Sept - Castle Donington (A) 1-4 (W) Friendly

Final friendly, before the first league game, was away, again, to Castle Donington, champions of the Derby League last season. The teams had met previously at the Hinckley Tournament, when the Lion’s had sneaked a 1-0 win, with a late strike from Liam. So the chances were the game would be the kind of test the Lion’s needed to set them up for the coming season.

The game quickly settled into a typical Lion’s pattern, the Lions doing most of the attacking but Castle Donington looking dangerous on the break, it was quickly evident that the Lions would need to watch Donington’s No 5, playing a deep midfield role, as most of Donington’s play seemed to go through him.

The first goal wasn’t long coming, Brendan picked the ball up in midfield, had options right and left, but with typical striker’s instinct spotted the Donington keeper out of position and hit a long range, speculative shot, which surprised the keeper and found the back of the net, 1-0 to the Lions. The Lion’s were soon 3-0 to the good, two excellent passing moves between Jack, Liam and Nicola setup Brendan in the six yard box and he made no mistake.

Defensively the Lions were equally impressive, as the first line of defence Alex made several excellent challenges, possibly his best game for the Lions so far, with Bradley solid as ever, and Aaron confidently handling anything that came his way, a clean sheet was confidently expected.

The Lions created further chances to increase their lead, the best being a long range effort from Nicola that the Donington keeper fumbled, but just kept it out and an inch perfect cross from Nicola onto Jack’s head, which he just failed to direct into the net. The final goal of the half, a cross from Nicola caused panic in Donington’s defence, Brendan and Liam bundled the ball goal wards, with Liam getting the final nod.

Castle Donington’s half-time team talk obviously paid off, as they stepped up their play at the start of the second half, the Lions now relying on the counter attacks to get forward. Although unused to spending long periods defending, the Lions, with Alex and Bradley leading by example, battled well and kept Donington at bay. Finally, Donington achieved the break through; uncharacteristically Aaron failed to gather a cross and left a Donington attacker an open goal. Having scored one, Donington could have added further to their tally, Aaron making a fine save low to his left and the crossbar keeping Donington out. Under pressure and no longer controlling midfield, the Lions passing game was only glimpsed occasionally in the second half. Although just before the end Brendan made an excellent run through the Donington defence, he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball goal ward, only to hit the post, it could have been five!

Another good win for the Lions, to use a well worn cliché, a game of two halves, but the second half showed the Lions can battle when they need to and that there are still plenty of things to work on in training.

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29th August - Coventry Sphinx (A) 0-7 (W) Friendly

For their third pre-season friendly the Lions visited Coventry Sphinx, first impressions were a bigger pitch than at Cottage Farm, if a little uneven, but looking very well prepared and with it being a pleasant evening, everything pointed to a decent game of football. Sphinx finished mid-table in the Coventry League last season (7th), so a reasonable pointer as to how the Lions will fare next season.

The managers decided to play 3 periods of twenty minutes, Sphinx kicked off and quickly the game settled into a pattern, the Lions creating the better chances and forcing Sphinx to play off the back foot, but with Sphinx still dangerous on the break. Jack and Alex broke up most of Sphinx’s attacks with some good tackling, and with Bradley, returning to defence, sweeping up the few balls, players that squeezed past these two. The Sphinx defence also looked well organised, the first period appeared to heading for stalemate, but Brendan had other ideas, forced wide left, either an ambitious shot or misdirected cross gave the keeper no chance and the ball was in the net. 1-0 to the Lions at the end of the first period.

The Lions created a few chances at the start of the second period, as they started to find their passing game, a few shots went high and wide and the Sphinx goalkeeper dealt competently with those on target. The Lions increased their lead with two good team goals, the first built from the back, an attack broken up by Alex and Jack, the ball cleared down the right, a cross field pass from Nicola to Liam, he slipped the ball to Brendan in the box, who beat the keeper easily from a few yards out. The second, a clearance from Bradley to Nicola, she split the defence to Brendan, who again gave the keeper no chance from inside the box. The second period did not end without a few scares at the Lion’s end, Aaron did a Lehmann, or maybe a Robinson impression at one point, deflecting a shot with his foot into the path of a Sphinx attacker, and mistiming a punch.

On to the final period, with the players tiring, both teams had more chances to attack, but with Jack, Alex and Bradley continuing to defend well against anything Sphinx could throw at them, and Aaron dealing competently with any balls that breached the Lions defence, Sphinx did not look likely to score. The Lions, however were not finished, and added four more goals, another excellent passing move brought Brendan his fourth, and the teams fourth. The fifth was a powerful drive by Liam from the left side of the penalty area. Liam and Nicola switched wings, and combined to set up Jack on the edge of the box for the sixth, another good finish. The final goal, and seventh, was a well hit shot by Nicola from wide left, that the goalkeeper was unable to handle, and the ball trickled over the line. With almost the final attack of the game, Sphinx did finally beat Aaron, but Alex was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Another good win for the Lions, and as importantly, a clean sheet. A very good team performance, against a well organized team.

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21st August - Cottage Farm (A) 1-9 (W) Friendly

The Lion’s second friendly of the new season was to be Cottage Farm, winners of their division in the Tamworth League last season and they probably provided the Lion’s with their toughest match at the Bedworth Eagles Tournament, only going down 1-0 to a late pile driver from Nicola.

The Lion’s team that took the field had a slightly strange look to it, with last season’s numbers one and two goal scorer’s (Brendan and Liam) on holiday. So, Bradley deputised for Brendan up front, Toby covering for Bradley in defence and Owen, making his Lion’s debut on the left and captain for the match.

At kick-off the Lion’s players, coaches and spectators probably had two concerns where were the goals going to come from and the size of the pitch, either the Lion’s players had grown considerably over the summer or the pitch was struggling to match even St Nics Sporting/Market Bosworth in size.

The Lion’s dominated the early exchanges, but, maybe because of the size of the pitch, many players from both teams appeared to be chasing the ball, and struggling to play constructive football. The first goal was not long in coming; Bradley picked up the ball outside the penalty area and launched a shot over the defence and the goalkeeper, 1-0. The Lion’s and Bradley’s second was a reward for persistence, Bradley battled with two or even three defenders in the box, gained control of the ball and prodded it over the line. The third nearing half-time, was more of a team goal, a cross from the right was only partially cleared by the Cottage Farm defence and Owen, closing in from the left calmly placed the ball beyond the despairing keeper.

Goals quickly followed after half-time, Nicola cut a corner back to Alex and his well hit shot gave the keeper no chance, Nicola stroked a left foot shot into the net after a good move down the left between Toby and Owen and Nicola just nipped in front of the keeper, from an excellent hooked cross from Bradley, under pressure on the left, for the sixth.

6-0 down, Cottage Farm gave a glimpse of what they could be capable of, from the kick-off, a rapid pass and move setup a chance down the Lion’s left, the resulting well hit shot, glanced a Lion’s defender, and reduced the deficit by one. This was to be Cottage Farm’s only real opportunity in the game, with Jack, supported by Alex, breaking up most attacks, before they became a threat, with some very strong tackling, Toby acting as an effective sweeper behind these two.

This was only a blip for the Lions, Nicola and Alex repeated the earlier corner routine, but with Alex making a later run, another excellent shot, 7-1. A further corner caused confusion in the Cottage Farm box, a Bradley shot, heading goal wards, was turned into the net by a defender, Bradley’s hat trick or an own goal. Bradley ensured he had a hat trick with the final goal, an excellent mazy run by Aaron, from halfway, took the ball into the box, where he either the lost control or passed to Bradley, either way, Bradley put the loose ball into the net, his hat trick and 9-1 to the Lions.

A comfortable 9-1 win for the Lions, Cottage Farm, possibly struggling with the increased number of players on the pitch, failed to match the form they had shown at the Bedworth Eagles’ Tournament.

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