LATEST NEWS                                      

Weddington Tournament 2008

No sooner has the league season ended and the Tournaments season starts, the Lions first tournament being their own, and going for a hatrick of wins to boot! A quick scan of the draw made the Lions favourites on home turf, with Cov-Jag a close second and last year’s runners-up St Nics Chiefs with an outside chance. The Lions squad was strengthened by the one-off return of Liam to the fold, agreeing to cover as substitute for the day, in the unlikely event of an injury.

First up for the Lions, Austrey, likely to prove one of the tougher opponents in the group, for once the Lions started well, totally dominating a well organised team. There was an element of luck to the goal, when it finally came, a cross come shot from Nicola finding its way into the back of the net. Apparently girls scoring goals at football is not common in Austrey, as Austrey’s second string watching form the sidelines simply could not believe their club mates had allowed a girl to score. Is Austrey really such a footballing backwater?

The Lions won the remaining games in the group, the only slight hiccup being a well-headed goal from Nuneaton Boro Blue from a corner, left the score at 2-1, but the final result never in doubt, after goals from Brendan and Sunni. The score against Cov-Jag Blue was 2-0, and with the group won, Jack came out of goal and Liam was given a run against Grove Farm Rhinos. The Lions finished the group with a 3-0 victory.

The Lions were on track, all compartments of their game working well, three from four of the games ending with a clean sheet, Jack in goal , excellent and assured when required, and Bradley solid, uncompromising defending ensuring the opposition rarely looked like scoring. Nicola and Nathan’s passing meaning Brendan and Sunni were not short of chances, and with Liam slotting in as if he’d never been away, the Lions looked the team to beat.

Initially it was thought the Lions Q-Final opponents would be the Tigers, but the end it turned out to be Grove Farm. Never an easy team to play, and so it proved. A brilliant solo goal by Brendan settled it in the end but some strong tackling by Grove Farm, that went unpunished, all most let Grove Farm back in the game. The Lions should have won by more, and would have, if they had not allowed Grove Farm to upset their rhythm, the flowing football that is the trademark of the team disappearing in the heat of battle.

Semi-final opponents were Pinley, who, on a smaller pitch, less players and shorter game gave the Lions a much tighter game than the recent League Cup semi-final encounter and in the end a fright. Brendan scored early to put the Lions in control, Sunni , Brendan, Liam and Nicola, all spurned further chances to seal the game. Late in the second half, the Lions could have paid for a number of missed chances, the Pinley centre-forward, who had proved a handful crashed the ball into the net from the edge of the area. An excellent save from Jack ensured the game went to extra-time, with the Lions hanging on and Pinley pressing. The Lions regrouped and scored twice in the extra five minutes to move into the final. With Nathan off the field, a reoccurrence of ankle injury caused initially in the game against Grove Farm, Nicola played the centre-midfield role and two excellent passes put in Brendan and Sunni and the game beyond Pinley’s reach.

On to the final, and not unexpectedly Cov-Jag were the opposition. A very early scrambled goal between Sunni and Brendan put the Lions in the box seat, the Cov-Jag keeper made a couple of good saves to keep his team in the game. But it was an innocuous incident that escalated, and effectively settled the game. Around the half way line, Nicola ducked slightly to head the ball and the Cov-Jag’s striker’s boot caught her a glancing blow under the chin. The referee awarded a free-kick to the Lions and that should have been that, but for the Cov-Jag striker, reason unkown, the red mist descended. A yellow card became a red card, reducing Cov-Jag to five players and one of their most effective players sidelined.

Five against six, Cov-Jag battled well to keep the Lions at bay, but being a man short they struggled as an attacking force. Eventually the Lions made the advantage pay, a well struck shot by Brendan, putting the Lions 2 up and ensuring the Lions had won 3 Weddington tournaments in a row. The Lions collected their trophies for a good mornings play, thoroughly deserving their victory. Hopefully it will be the football played they will remember rather than the sending off but unfortunately it probably wont.

Back to top

Filey Tour 2008

Having toured in 2006 to Great Yarmouth, before the Lions had even tasted league football, for 2008 the their second tour, the Lions made their way to Filey. Last time ultimate success had depended on the last game, a narrow defeat meaning the Lions were denied. The Lions have had significant success since, with recent form very good, anything was possible, but its all ways important to try and remember that these events are as much a social as football occasion.

With the Lion’s first game not until Saturday afternoon, the Lions and families had the opportunity to get in some early training for the social side of the tour first. By the time the stragglers had arrived Friday evening, an early start had already sidelined some. So, not everyone made Friday evening’s first full training session, the team plus associated brothers and sisters hit funworks and the parents tackled the bar. It being the first night, a general halt was called by 10:30, although it was not an enforced curfew from the management, rumour has it the coaches stayed past 10:30 discussing tactics for the following day, or that’s their story.

After a lazy or action packed morning, depending on which family you belonged to, the Lions made their way to Headlands School, Bridlington for the first round of matches. First up for the Lions, Teeside Athletic from Cleveland. Looking at the squad on tour, the first decision that was needed, was who should go in goal, with the Lions and Tigers regular keepers back in Nuneaton. For the first game, the management went for Bailey. For the warm-up, aware that his team mates were struggling to hit the goal, to build confidence, Bailey allowed the few shots on target to find the back of the net, choosing to keep his goalkeeping prowess under wraps, later events would suggest, however, maybe not.

It was also hoped that reports of star striker Brendan being under the weather were exaggerated, although his deathly white appearance suggested otherwise. The game started, the Lions made a nervy start, trying to do everything too quickly. Then disaster struck, a Teeside corner was not cleared, the ball bobbled around, the ball should have been cleared, but it wasn’t, Bailey made to grap it, but didn’t, was he fouled, nothing given, and the ball was in the net. The nerves increased, on the pitch and on the sidelines, 1-0 at halftime became 2-0 midway through the second half, from just outside the box a shot came in, the Lions stood back, nobody closed down and Bailey failed to catch cleanly.

The master plan in tatters, not the start anyone expected, the Lions needed to regroup, the next game Kimberley from Nottingham. Again, the Lions started at a million miles an hour, but with no early disaster this time, the feeling from the side being, once one goal went in the flood gates would open.Midway through the second half, Nathan picked his spot and the Lions had a win under their belt. Barry Town B next, and the Lions clicked through the gears allowing Bailey and Callum to work their way into the game. Within minutes of the start, Nicola cut in from the right beat two players and placed the ball beyond the keeper, a cross from Nicola was deflected into the net and those on and off the pitch breathed a sigh of relief, as the Lions cruised to a 2-0 lead. Brendan found his range in the second half; two good clean strikes on target, doubling the lead.

Cramlington A from Northumberland were the Lion’s next opponents, last year’s winners apparently. The nervy play of earlier had disappeared and the Lions dominated Cramlington, the speed of the Lions meant that Cramlington were late with several tackles, Nicola was clipped in the penalty area as she shaped to shoot, if she’d gone down it would have been a penalty, Brendan was cynically body checked by their last man but no action was taken by the referee. In the end it was 0-0, the Lions deserving the win, the Cramlington coach in need of a reality check, have made some far from acceptable comments himself during the game, had the cheek to complain about a Lion’s parent telling him that encouraging kicking an opponent was appalling!

The Lion’s final match was Dodworth B (possibly Dodworth A in disguise) and the Lions showed what they were capable of, sweeping them aside 5-0, Nicola 2, Sunni 2 (one an excellent header) and one from Brendan, the coaches could finally relax and make full use of the squad everyone getting involved. Teeside against Cramlington was the final game of the group, Teeside winning 1-0 by virtue of a controversial penalty, the Cramlington coach again leading by example and getting himself sent off for arguing with the decision.

At the end of the first day, the Lions were left to rue what might have been, failing to qualify for the final playoffs by one goal, one more scored or one less conceded would have seen the Lions through and Cramlington consigned to the plate. Which would have been popular with all but Cramlington, appalling is perhaps a little weak to describe their coach’s behaviour.

Saturday evening’s training session saw all in attendance, much to discuss, consider and ponder, and so a longer session than Friday was needed. In the end the balance of opinion was that winning the plate would be better than fourth or better, as the Lions would surely win the plate? But who decided the boys in the team would wear black socks and the girls red?

Sunday morning, and the Lions had an early start back at Bridlington, carrying forward 9 points from Saturday’s games the plate seemed a formality, starting with the fifth best team from the other group, Barry Town A. The Lions lined up with Nicola taking her turn in goal and Brendan resting after another dodgy night. Late night, early start what ever the reason, even introducing Brendan for the second half failed to lift the Lions and a very lacklustre 0-0 was the result.

Next up for the Lions, Cramlington B, fourth in the other group on the Saturday, an early strike from Brendan and normal service was resumed, or was it. Cramlington had other ideas, the left winger scoring two cracking goals, one in each half from outside the area. 2-1 to Cramlington, but anxious looks at the league table confirmed, despite the ‘appalling start’, the 9 points carried over from Saturday ensured things were still in the Lions hands. The teams left to play Burlington who finished third in group B and then Dodworth A (or maybe B) who’d finished 6th.

Late in the day, the Lion’s form returned, normal service was resumed Burlington were brushed aside 5-1, and Dodworth 6-0, four from Brendan against Burlington and a Nicola hatrick against Dodworth being the source of the bulk of the goals, but Bailey and Callum also notched against Dodworth, Bailey’s goal a candidate for goal of the Tournament. The early morning doom and gloom dispelled, and the Lions took their place in the Plate final, revenge against Cramlington B surely a formality.

So it proved, the left wing star of the earlier win being substituted midway through the second half for being ineffective, as the Lions cruised to a 2-0 win, the only blot on the landscape being the ref’s dodgy watch shortened the second half, sparing Cramlington but limiting Callum’s contribution to the final to a few minutes.

With the enormous cup presented, out of proportion to finishing fifth but neither the less gratefully received, the Lions returned to Filey and the evening presentation. With the white shirts much in evidence the Weddy players received their trophies from John McGovern. If Tony Cottee was a poor substitute for Teddy Sherringham, most of the parents would struggle to remember John McGovern, but the noise and setting, ensured the night started well. Funworks and the bar being the venue for the third training session of the weekend.

Final thought, Cramlington A won the tournament, and the Lions, once in to their stride murdered them, but failed to score, so could easily have been contesting the final on the Sunday. But at what price, the Cramlington coach/manager, call him what you will, had his team in bed for nine on the Saturday night, missing the point, a little, or maybe by a mile, of being on tour.

The motley crew for Filey with adopted mascot Scott can be seen in the picture gallery, thanks Manjit.

Back to top

Coventry League 2006/7

It may only be me but I like to have some idea who we are playing week by week, so as a point of reference here is a copy of last years league tables.

Under 8 - RED p w d l pts
1 Coventry Jag'r Yth red 23 22 1 0 67
2 AT7 Youth red 23 20 0 3 60
3 Christ The King 24 18 2 4 56
4 Brinklow Juniors FC 24 14 3 7 45
5 Bedworth Eagles 24 13 5 6 44
6 Leamington Hibernian 24 12 3 9 39
7 Coventry Sphinx JFC 24 10 8 6 38
8 Chapelfields Colts 24 6 6 12 24
9 Ernesford Dynamos 24 6 5 13 23
10 Alvis Juniors 23 5 4 14 19
11 Caludon Youth FC 24 3 1 20 10
12 Coundon Court FC 24 2 3 19 9
13 Whitley Juniors FC 23 2 1 20 7


Under 8 - BLUE p w d l pts
1 AT7 Youth blue 26 24 1 1 73
2 Coventry Jag'r Yth blue 26 19 5 2 62
3 Hawkes Mill Juniors 26 16 7 3 55
4 Mount Nod JFC 26 16 4 6 52
5 Coundon Cockerels 25 11 7 7 40
6 Christ The King green 26 11 6 9 39
7 Brinklow Juniors FC 26 8 6 12 30
8 Christ The King Rovers 26 8 5 13 29
9 Pro Santos 26 8 5 13 29
10 Firefighters Juniors blue 26 8 4 14 28
11 GNP Sports 26 8 3 15 27
12 Coundon Court FC 26 5 7 14 22
13 Coventry Jag'r Yth 2004 25 5 3 17 18
14 Pinley FC 26 1 3 22 6

Back to top

Nuneaton Borough 2007

Another damp Sunday morning, another tournament, after a delayed start, the Nuneaton Borough, formerly known as Whitestone, Six-a-side Tournament got underway with the Lions and Tigers both entered.

The Lions made an impressive start against Coundon Court, and in the seven minutes played, rattled in five goals without reply, including a hatrick from Brendan, the early start clearly not to Coundon’s liking.

After such a good start, the Lions struggled to carry their good form into their next game, two excellent long range shots from Jack and Liam setup the win against Nuneaton Borough’s second team, and Nicola poked a long range cross/shot from the left by Brendan over the line to leave the Lions comfortable, if not impressive winners, so far so good for the Lions having won two from two.

The Lion’s next game was Oadby Owls Snowys, from Leicester’s first division, so a step up in class from the opposition in the first two games, and so they proved. The Lions, possibly lulled into a false sense of security by the first couple of games, had their first few attacks easily snuffed out by Oadby.
Then Oadby struck back, Jack failed to collect a high long gaol kick and deflected it on to the Oadby right winger, he committed Bradley, and left Nicola caught between two attackers, from in front of the goal, the striker made no mistake. With only seven minutes per game, the Lions needed to make a quick response, but seemed to get stuck in the mud down the centre of the pitch rather than making any headway. In the final minute, Oadby caught the Lions on the break, and again Aaron had no chance with a well taken shot on goal.

With two games left the Lions needed to win at least one, if not both, to progress. Both games ended in scoreless draws, with the Lions in terms of procession and chances dominating. Against Pro Santos the Lions created at least three gilt edged chances but failed to put them away. In the final game, it was only an excellent performance from the Bedworth Eagle’s keeper that stopped Brendan and Liam from ensuring the Lions completed a deserved victory.

So, for the first time this summer the Lions failed to progress from the group stage, but there was a bright spot in the gloom that surrounded the Lion’s camp. The Tigers had reached the semis as runners-up from their group. Although they failed to progress past Oadby, their second half performance against the tournament’s eventual winners should give them heart for next season.

Back to top

Chapelfield Colts 07

On a cool, showery Sunday afternoon the next stop on the Lions summer tournament schedule was Earlsdon Rugby club for Chaplefield Colts six-a-side tournament. Lee was again in charge, as he is now on a roll, all eight players for next year’s squad were in attendance, and being a Coventry Tournament, this would be a good guide as to how the team might fare in the league next season.

The schedule had the two toughest games to start with for the Lions, first Hinckley United Vipers winners of their own tournament, so no mugs, and second Christ the King, third in the Coventry League last season. The first game ended in stalemate, lots of effort but neither goalkeeper was troubled. The second game saw the Lions play better, but although solid in defence, creating few chances in attack, but with less than a minute to go a Christ the King corner bounced between Aaron and Bradley, he who hesitates is lost, and the ball ended up in the net.

With two games gone, and only one point to show for their efforts, an unusual position for the Lions to find themselves in, left some of the players’ very downbeat. Lee called the team together, after some straight talking and a reminder of what they are capable of the Lions took the field against Whitley.

Whitley were not a bad team to play at this stage of the competition, given time and space, a capable team, but on song, one the Lions should deal with. Less than a minute gone, from a through ball by Jack, Brendan hit a typical drive into the roof of the net. A second quickly followed when a good passing move involving Bradley, Jack and Nicola gave a Brendan another opening, 2-0. Everyone could now relax; players could be switched to get everyone going. The third goal was worth waiting for, a tremendous strike from Liam from outside the box, which gave the Whitley keeper no chance. A rare goal form Toby was the fourth, Nicola laid a corner back to him. His shot flew through a crowded penalty area and inside the far post.

To progress any further in the competition, the Lions had to win their next game against Mount Nod, a team that appeared to blow hot and cold, their highlight being a very good 4-0 demolition of Hinckley, when their tall centre forward had notched an impressive hat-trick. With Bradley expertly marshalling the dangerous centre forward, Mount Nod created little that Aaron was not able to deal with. However, again, the Lions struggled to create any clear cut chances, and failed to convert a number of half chances. The game appeared to be heading for a scoreless draw, when a good ball from Alex found Nicola free on the edge of the area and she curled the ball into the top left hand corner to secure a deserved 1-0 win.

The final group game was against the Firefighters, a win would guarantee qualification for the semis, a draw would probably do, but then it would be down to goal difference. An early blockbuster from Brendan, after a good move involving Jack and Liam, put the Lions in front. They should have added to this, Liam turned one defender inside out but failed to get his shot away and Nicola, set clear on the right, fired into the side netting. The Lions could have paid for these misses, in the final minutes, a Firefighter shot bounced back off a post into a grateful Aaron’s arms.

The Lions advanced to the semis, to meet AT7 Blue, by name possible not AT7 first team, but still group winners. Within minutes the Lions were one up, a clearance found Nicola, a floated pass over the top of the defenders picked out Liam, a square pass to Brendan, 1-0. The second quickly followed, the Lions appeared to be cruising, Alex replaced Liam on the left and had a couple of chances to increase the lead. A heavy challenge on Jack meant he had to leave the field, to be replaced by Toby. In the final four minutes AT7 finally put together a few attacks, they gained a succession of corners which Toby and Bradley calmly dealt with, so AT7 failed to get a goal back, let alone an equaliser.

Bedworth Eagles were the opponents in the Final, again the Lions scored an early goal, the Eagle’s keeper failed to hold a powerful shot from Brendan, and he just beat the keeper to the loose ball.
Despite the end to end football that followed, the Lions preserved their 1-0 advantage, even when Jack again had to go off the field after a another heavy challenge, to be replaced by Alex. Until disaster struck, in the final minute, a good move from the Eagles resulted in an excellent goal. The Eagles players and supporters celebrated as if they had scored the winner, the Lions looked dejected, as if they had lost.

This meant extra time, golden goal to win it, and even the threat of having to remove players until the golden goal was scored. A further injury, this time to Bradley. put Toby into the fray. The Lions lifted themselves for one last effort. There was no need to worry, a cross from the left from Liam, broke to the right between Nicola and Brendan, Brendan yelled shoot, Nicola did, and squeezed the ball between the goalkeeper and his near post. Game over and the Lions notched their third tournament success in a row.

A good team effort, all eight players at some point playing a crucial role in the success of the team, and well done Lee, the team needed picking up after the first two games and they were, the result speaks for itself.

Back to top

Bedworth Eagles 07

On a sultry morning we gathered at Nicholas Chamberlaine for the Bedworth Eagles six a side tournament, following the success of last week, and the fact that the Lions were defending champions, expectations were high. Lee, following on from last week, took charge of the team.

The Lions had an unexpectedly comfortable start against a team from Attleborough, some suspicion that they were the U7 team. Within twenty seconds the Lions found themselves four abreast in front of the goal, and Jack duly scored. Five more where to follow the highlight being two from Toby his first goals for the Lions. With the Lions clearly in control, Lee was able to swap the team around and give everyone an early opportunity to get started.

The next game was against a team from Coventry Sphinx, Sphinx started the livelier, and Aaran, back in goal, and Bradley, back as the last line of defence, needed to be on their toes to keep Sphinx at bay. Sphinx forced a corner, and the cross, that came in, caught an attacker on the back and flew into the net. This was the wake up the Lions needed, after a couple of good chances were spurned, Jack and Liam combined to set up Brendan, he made no mistake, and the Lions had equalised. The same combination again, and the Lions were in front, nerves on the touchline settled (Robs in particular ?). Liam added a third, and the slow start was soon forgotten.

The third game was against Cottage Farm from Tamworth, the Lions had the best of the early exchanges, but the Cottage Farm goalie was having a very good game, one save in particular, when Brendan attempted to place the ball to his left being particularly memorable. After absorbing considerable pressure, Cottage Farm managed a couple of breaks, and even a free-kick, but nothing Aaran and Bradley could not deal with. Cottage Farm appeared to be hanging on for a draw, but did not quite make it. Nicola controlled a Cottage Farm goal kick, took two strides and hit it, the goalie had no chance, and the Lions had their third win.

The final group game was Bedworth United, this time the Lions, through Brendan took the early chance, although they failed to add to the early goal it was as comfortable as a 1-0 can be and the Lions progressed, unbeaten, to the semi-finals.

In the semi-final it was Attleborough Sports, so long as they could contain Owen, the Lions had to be confident, and that was down to Jack. For the most part, in the first half, Jack won this particular battle and even had time to start the Lions first goal. He feed Liam, a cross field ball found Nicola; she crossed into the box, Brendan collected, 1-0 to the Lions. It was 1-0 at half-time, the Lions having wasted a couple of good chances to extend the lead. Attleborough almost equalised early in the second half, Owen cut in from the left beating Liam, stepped over a sliding tackle from Jack, rode the challenge from Bradley, side stepped Nicola and shot for a goal, but Aaran flung himself left to tip the ball away, a fantastic save by Aaran, which left Owen with his head in his hands. Soon after, Jack went down under a heavy challenge, and Alex had to replace him. The Lions preserved their 1-0 lead with Toby marshalling the defence ensuring Attleborough did not create any further chances. In the final minutes, the Lions secured the game, first Alex split the Attleborough defence with an excellent pass through to Brendan, 2-0, and then Toby released Nicola down the right, she cut in and beat the goalie on his far post, 3-0. The Lions had reached the final for the second year in a row.

The final was against Coventry Sphinx, as with the previous week, the Lions saved the best till last. Several sweeping passing moves created a few early chances, and it was no surprise when the first goal came, a typical sweeping move left Brendan free in front of goal, again he did not miss, 1-0. Then, Bradley played a one-two with Jack, and picked out Nicola with an excellent pass, the speed with which the Lions had turned defence into attack, had left Sphinx with only one defender back facing three advancing Lions attackers. Using Brendan and Liam as decoy runners, Nicola calmly rounded the last defender and scored the second. With a 2-0 lead at half-time, the Lions were able to control the second half, and end the tournament as they had began, switching players on and off to ensure all the team played a part in the success. The third and final goal, was scored by the player who scored the first, a mazy run from Jack, beating at least two defenders, left him, one on one with the goal keeper, and he was able to toe poke it past the advancing keeper, and the ball rolled slowly over the goal line to seal the Lions win.

Lee is now 2 for 2, and the football played by the Lions brought praise from several quarters.

Back to top

Weddington 2007

It was time for the Weddy Tournament, it doesn’t seem twelve months since the last one ! First things first, the tents needed to be erected, tents not gazebos as used by other teams, and two tents not one as we have two teams. Once up, under Sally’s supervision, practice makes perfect, so should be speedier next time lads, it was time for the football.

The quick look at the entry for the U8 confirmed that pre tournament favourites the Lions would be the team to beat. With the Coopers and Williams on holiday, the Lions had a few line-up changes, Bradley for Aaron in goal, Toby for Bradley in defence and Alex to cover Jack’s role as the holding/central midfielder, plus, perhaps as importantly, Lee S. as manager, knowing that those in attendance, and those on holiday, expected nothing less than a win. So, no pressure on Lee then.

The Lions first match was Attleborough Sports and the Lions put in a solid, if not spectacular performance, two good goals from Liam and Brendan settled the match as comfortable win for the Lions, with good tackling from Alex, Toby and Nicola ensuring Bradley had a quiet start between the sticks. The Lion’s moved trough the gears a little in the next match against Grove Farm Sharks. Nicola took the first from a very tight angle, after a quick short corner, the second a long range effort from Nicola brushed the Shark keepers finger tips and dropped behind him, but there was no need no need from any debate about crossing the line, as Brendan following up, ensured the ball hit the back of the net. The third was a tap-in for Brendan, after a good passing movement, and a good cross from the right, left him with the simple task of putting the ball over the line.

The final group match was against St Nic’s representatives at this year’s tournament the Chiefs. The Chief’s started the better, and the Lions working well as a defensive unit to keep the Chiefs out, with Toby and Alex at their best to break up several attacks. Bradley also needed to show his mettle as a goalkeeper, and he pulled off two fantastic saves to prove he was up to the task. The key contest was down the Lion’s left, with Liam up against the Chief’s most effective player, and after a couple of critical saving tackles, Liam provided the decisive moment of the match. An over hit pass from Brendan (possibly a shot) was hit with some power by Liam into the Chiefs net (possibly more of a deflection off his shin). This goal (possibly slightly fortuitous) was to give the Lions a third win, and they progressed to the Semi-Final as group winners.

Semi-Final opponents were Grove Farm Rangers; the Lions survived an early scare when Bradley made his best save yet, down to his right to keep the Sharks out. After this, it was one way traffic, with the Grove Farm goal leading a charmed life. At half-time the Lions only lead 1-0 through a typical Brendan thunderbolt. The second was worth waiting for, Nicola harried the Grove Farm defence, took the ball a cross the field to left and lofted a shot high into the right top corner of the Grove Farm net. The Lion’s were so on top that Alex and Toby had time to venture forward and have shots on goal. The final goal probably summed up the match, as Brendan put through by Alex, scored the third, the ball hit the bar and the post before the back of the net.

The final was a rematch against St Nic’s Chiefs, this time the Lions were ready for them. No early scares this time, as Toby, with Alex’s support dealt efficiently with the Chiefs attacks. The early goal came from a goal keeping mistake by the chiefs, letting Brendan in. The Chiefs were struggling to deal with the speed of the speed of the Lions in attack and strength in the tackles, some of the more robust challenges, particularly when the Lions were attacking, causing some consternation among the St Nic’s coaches and supporters. The Lions should have made the game safe by half-time, but did so soon after. Brendan was brought down just outside the Chief’s penalty area to the right, he hit the resulting free kick with fantastic power and it screamed into the net. A third soon followed, another good passing move set Brendan up in front of goal, and the game was safe. The Chiefs did give themselves a fleeting chance with a well worked goal in the final few minutes, but it was too little too late.

So the Lions had again won their own tournament, in the end comfortably, playing better at the end of the tournament than the beginning, a job well done by Lee and the team.

Back to top

Hinckley Tournament 2007

The afternoon after the might before, the coaches, players and supporters assembled for the first tournament of the summer. Having celebrated the end of season, at a Presentation evening the night before, it was going to be a tall order for the Lions to hit top form, plus the Hinckley Tournament attracts top teams from a wide area; Leicester, Hinckley, Derby, Coventry, Northampton and Nuneaton.

Drawn in group 1, first up for the Lions was Castle Donnington, winners of their league in Derby. For much of the game the Lions were on the back foot but held firm, with debutant Alex particularly prominent with several key tackles. In the end the Lions were able to snatch a late winner from Liam, with one of his trademark cross come shots. To put this win into perspective, Castle Donnington went on to put in several good performances and finish runners up in the group to the Lions, so a very good result to start with. The Lions, only really showing what we know they are capable at times, won their remaining four games. It was pleasing that the Lions kept a clean sheet in each game, credit to the ‘Rock’ Bradley and ‘safe hands’ Aaran, plus the rest of the team who supported when needed. Two good goals from Nicola and Brendan accounted for our old friends Thurlaston. A last gasp, but deserved winner from Nicola saw off Blaby & Whetstone Blades. A fantastic free kick by Jack from inside the Lions’ half was the highlight against Hinckley United Pythons, although the following wind may have helped. The final group game was a further win agianst Weekley Rovers Marvels from Kettering.

Having won the group, the Lions drew Allexton in the quarter-final, a team who won the top division in Leicester. The Lions created a couple of good chances early on, to try and take control of the game, but good saves from the Allexton keeper kept the scores level. Aaran needed to make an brilliant, and brave, save to keep the Lions in the game. But from an Allexton corner the Lions had a couple of chances to clear the ball, failed, and the ball ended up in the Lions net. To stay in the competition the Lions needed to fight back, not something they are used too. Despite several well worked attacks the goal would not come. However, the Allexton defence’s luck ran out with an excellent corner from Brendan, the ball hit the near post and went in off a defender, and despite strong claims from the Allexton coach that the ball had sneaked in via the side netting (how ?) , the goal stood.

Despite three minutes extra time, no further goals were scored, and for the first time the Lions found them selves involved in the drama of a penalty shoot out. Three players, two penalties each, was the slightly strange format. After the first set of the three, the Lions were 2-1 down, only the ever reliable Brendan scoring and an good save from Aaran keeping the Lions in it, but in the second set of three, the Lions turned the tables. Three welll taken penalties from Jack, Brendan and Alex put the pressure on Allexton, another good save from Aaran coupled with an Allexton miss, saw the Lions through.

Initially it was thought the semi-final would be another game against Castle Donnington, but somewhat controversially the organisers switched the games around, so that the Lions lined up against the champions of another league, the third of the day, the Coventry league winners, Coventry Jaguar. This was to prove a bridge to far for the Lions, they matched Jaguar in the early exchanges, but a good, possibly controversial, run by Jaguar’s left winger (the ball appeared at one point to have gone out of play), setup Jaguar’s first goal. The Lions tried to respond but struggled to make any chances, and in the second half, a Jaguar through ball found an attacker, all alone in the Lions’ penalty area. This second goal finished the game off.

No disgrace to the Lions, who again did their supporters proud, overcoming some strong teams to reach the semi-finals, not only league champions, but teams who have done well in their respective leagues.

The final saw Jaguar line up against the tournament hosts Hinckley Vipers. With no goals from open play, the game eventually went to sudden death penalties, with Hinckley taking the title, probably against the balance of play. The Lions can take heart from the fact that the football played in the final, although good, was nothing the Lions (at their best) could not match.

Back to top