Ted Jerges conjured up a brilliant first-half hatrick to help fire a spirited Loxwood Lions into the last eight of the HDYFL Under 13s cup competition.
After a 6-2 cup victory against Ashington in the last round, the Lions were on the road in the cup once again: this time away to a fine Hurstpierpoint Colts Athletic team that are strong Division B title contenders.
On a tightly cut pitch the line markings were faint, but in the opening minute Ben Hicken set the tone by scorching his own line up the right wing, leaving both the Hurst left midfielder and left back in his trail before delivering a superb cross which Hamish Ramsay forced on goal only for the keeper to push wide. Ben was then in the thick of the action again, winning the ball off the Hurst midfielders, and then beating to create another scoring opportunity which was narrowly missed.
This early pressure set the tone and the Lions continued to dominate possession in the final third. Hamish struck again, but the keeper made a good stop from 10 yards out before he launched a Hurst attack down the left channel. The Hurst striker ran beyond the Lions defence and collected a through-ball before hitting a high, looping shot into the Loxwood goal to put the hosts 1-0 up against the run of play.
The Lions responded well with the midfield of Harry, Ted, Eddie and Ben playing neat passes and looking to release Hamish and Freddie up front. Behind them Will, Joe, Magnus and captain Fraser pressed high when Loxwood were in possession to maintain the pressure.
Fraser, leading by example, started to break the lines by dribbling beyond the Hurst strikers and midfielders and deep into Hurst territory to create overloads and gaps in the Hurst defence. Fraser then started one flowing move up the left involving Ted, Harry and Hamish which cut though Hurst to create a chance for Freddie which again the keeper blocked.
On 15 minutes another attack saw Ted exchange passes with Eddie outside the D and then wriggle past 2 defenders, before firing low past the keeper for a deserved equaliser to the roars of the fabulous travelling support.
Will and Mags were brilliant holding their position and shutting down the threats from the wings as a determined Hurst looked to hit back immediately. They continued to create danger with some clever work but the Eron and the backline held out.
On 19 minutes Freddie took a corner on the left which came back to him; he then drew the defender, went outside and delivered a fine cross which Ted met 12 yards out on the volley; he opened his body up and struck the ball with the inside of his boot to thunder it high beyond the keeper. 2-1 to the Lions and again loud cheers from the fabulous support.
On 25 minutes a Hurst striker was able to squeeze beyond the Lions defence and as he made his way for goal he was challenged by Eron, but the referee awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box. The resultant free-kick was excellent and the ball curled inside the far post for a great equaliser. Back to all square at 2-2.
The cup-tie was fast turning into a thriller but the Lions seized the opportunity to score the next goal when an attack down the left resulted in Ted being bundled to the ground. Eddie was given responsibility and walked forward but he very graciously passed the opportunity to Ted to allow him to try to score a hatrick. Ted stepped up with a controlled run up and calmly rolled the ball to the keeper's right, sending the keeper the wrong way. Very cool. Very classy. 3-2 to the Lions..
After a 6-2 cup victory against Ashington in the last round, the Lions were on the road in the cup once again: this time away to a fine Hurstpierpoint Colts Athletic team that are strong Division B title contenders.
On a tightly cut pitch the line markings were faint, but in the opening minute Ben Hicken set the tone by scorching his own line up the right wing, leaving both the Hurst left midfielder and left back in his trail before delivering a superb cross which Hamish Ramsay forced on goal only for the keeper to push wide. Ben was then in the thick of the action again, winning the ball off the Hurst midfielders, and then beating to create another scoring opportunity which was narrowly missed.
This early pressure set the tone and the Lions continued to dominate possession in the final third. Hamish struck again, but the keeper made a good stop from 10 yards out before he launched a Hurst attack down the left channel. The Hurst striker ran beyond the Lions defence and collected a through-ball before hitting a high, looping shot into the Loxwood goal to put the hosts 1-0 up against the run of play.
The Lions responded well with the midfield of Harry, Ted, Eddie and Ben playing neat passes and looking to release Hamish and Freddie up front. Behind them Will, Joe, Magnus and captain Fraser pressed high when Loxwood were in possession to maintain the pressure.
Fraser, leading by example, started to break the lines by dribbling beyond the Hurst strikers and midfielders and deep into Hurst territory to create overloads and gaps in the Hurst defence. Fraser then started one flowing move up the left involving Ted, Harry and Hamish which cut though Hurst to create a chance for Freddie which again the keeper blocked.
On 15 minutes another attack saw Ted exchange passes with Eddie outside the D and then wriggle past 2 defenders, before firing low past the keeper for a deserved equaliser to the roars of the fabulous travelling support.
Will and Mags were brilliant holding their position and shutting down the threats from the wings as a determined Hurst looked to hit back immediately. They continued to create danger with some clever work but the Eron and the backline held out.
On 19 minutes Freddie took a corner on the left which came back to him; he then drew the defender, went outside and delivered a fine cross which Ted met 12 yards out on the volley; he opened his body up and struck the ball with the inside of his boot to thunder it high beyond the keeper. 2-1 to the Lions and again loud cheers from the fabulous support.
On 25 minutes a Hurst striker was able to squeeze beyond the Lions defence and as he made his way for goal he was challenged by Eron, but the referee awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box. The resultant free-kick was excellent and the ball curled inside the far post for a great equaliser. Back to all square at 2-2.
The cup-tie was fast turning into a thriller but the Lions seized the opportunity to score the next goal when an attack down the left resulted in Ted being bundled to the ground. Eddie was given responsibility and walked forward but he very graciously passed the opportunity to Ted to allow him to try to score a hatrick. Ted stepped up with a controlled run up and calmly rolled the ball to the keeper's right, sending the keeper the wrong way. Very cool. Very classy. 3-2 to the Lions..
Hatrick Hero Ted
There was more chances in the game but thanks to Eron and the home keeper the score stayed the same until half-time. The Lions were undoubtedly the better team but Hurst were good on the ball and were always dangerous.
The second half saw the introduction of Brodie into the action as Hurst tried to push for a second equaliser. Brodie worked some good passes down the left and he was unlucky with a near-post chance. Freddie then worked a good chance, but again the Hurst keeper was able to make the save. Eddie in the middle continued to probe and kept Hurst on the back foot with chipped balls beyond the defenders for runners. By the midpoint of the second half Hurst were throwing themselves in front of Lions shots around the penalty area, and looking to break quickly. The tempo increased and so did the intensity of some challenges as both teams realised that a next goal for either side could be key. The referee was busy and took his time over some decisions, but later described Fraser as "exemplary" as captain defending his players and his team in the big moments. At the same time Joe came to the fore when his team needed him; either side of him, Will broke up attacks repeatedly and played the ball cooly out of defence, and on the other side Magnus steadfastly repelled any Hurst threat down the right channel. By now Tom had also come on to help keep our shape and keep us tight.
In the final 5 minutes, the Lions pressed for a fourth goal to finish the match but Hurst defended well. Hamish found himself free but the keeper saved once again. During an attack in the final minute the referee decided not to award another penalty to the Lions for an off the ball incident, but instead awarded a corner. Ted floated the ball over the keeper from the corner kick and Tom rushed on to the ball at the far post to knock it home for 4-2 to the Lions. The Lions supporters greeted the goal with delight and the referee blew his whistle to end a fabulously exciting cup tie. Well done and thanks to Hurst for a super game, and the Lions march on to the cup quarter-finals.
The second half saw the introduction of Brodie into the action as Hurst tried to push for a second equaliser. Brodie worked some good passes down the left and he was unlucky with a near-post chance. Freddie then worked a good chance, but again the Hurst keeper was able to make the save. Eddie in the middle continued to probe and kept Hurst on the back foot with chipped balls beyond the defenders for runners. By the midpoint of the second half Hurst were throwing themselves in front of Lions shots around the penalty area, and looking to break quickly. The tempo increased and so did the intensity of some challenges as both teams realised that a next goal for either side could be key. The referee was busy and took his time over some decisions, but later described Fraser as "exemplary" as captain defending his players and his team in the big moments. At the same time Joe came to the fore when his team needed him; either side of him, Will broke up attacks repeatedly and played the ball cooly out of defence, and on the other side Magnus steadfastly repelled any Hurst threat down the right channel. By now Tom had also come on to help keep our shape and keep us tight.
In the final 5 minutes, the Lions pressed for a fourth goal to finish the match but Hurst defended well. Hamish found himself free but the keeper saved once again. During an attack in the final minute the referee decided not to award another penalty to the Lions for an off the ball incident, but instead awarded a corner. Ted floated the ball over the keeper from the corner kick and Tom rushed on to the ball at the far post to knock it home for 4-2 to the Lions. The Lions supporters greeted the goal with delight and the referee blew his whistle to end a fabulously exciting cup tie. Well done and thanks to Hurst for a super game, and the Lions march on to the cup quarter-finals.
Happy Lions After The Match: Ben, Fraser c, Tom, Freddie, Will, Eddie, Hamish and Magnus.
