Match Report: U10MR 14/04/25

Leamington Lions U10 MR 1-0 arden forest u10

Captain: Molly

GK: Alicia

POM: Whole team

Goals: Imogen

What a difference a week makes! Same opposition, although this time at home and it was such a different game. Both sides brought some intensity to the game, both clearly determined to get a win after last week's nil-nil result.

In the first half both teams attacked and it was pretty balanced in terms of possession. Erin worked hard on the wing bringing the ball up to Lyla who was playing out of position in striker. Isla was all over on defence, working tirelessly to get back and get the ball back into Lions' control. One of Isla's kicks back up field resulted in Lyla being able to take the ball to their goal for a shot which was just wide. So was Imogen's a few moments later. Skye continued to improve with some tackles mid field, stopping the Arden Forest attack. Molly was also working really hard with Isla in defence, going in for the tackles with determination and winning the ball. Alicia in goal wasn't really tested in the first half but showed off her great goal kicks when given the chance. The Lions kept the pressure up, with Anaya clearing out the ball and Imogen and Lyla working well together in attack. Both took shots on goal but none of them found the back of the net. Half- time was still nil nil.

After the break, they were back to business. The whole team seemed to be trying their hardest to defend and find gaps in the Arden Forest defence. Lyla and Imogen were putting lots of pressure on but Arden's defence was good and their shots were wide. Erin came back on the pitch and almost immediately took a chance on a goal, which also went wide. Anaya and Molly showed their skills with some perfectly timed throw-ins, and Molly and Isla kept sending the ball back up the pitch. The Lions were dominant towards the end of the second half and it felt like a matter of time before a goal came. It might or might not have been to do with the offer of a tenner for a goal from the sidelines, but 5 minutes before the end, Anaya took a corner, Lyla got control, passed over to Imogen who turned and shot the ball into the goal. One-nil to the Lions!

After that it was a matter of holding possession and keeping the ball away from our goal until the final whistle went. The whole team worked really hard, they all showed skill and determination and it was an exciting game to watch. Great to finally get a very well- deserved win!