On a warm Sunday morning the Lions faced Worthing Dynamos in the first home game of the new season. WD brought a large following from the coast who were all impressed by our fabulous pitch and setting.
Loxwood started with Eron behind a central pairing of Tom M and Joe with Magnus and on the right main his full debut. Harry was wide left, Josh wide right with Ben, Louis and Max in the middle, and Hamish upfront. From the kick-off Loxwood had most of the territory pressuring the midfield and backline.
On 10 mins a sharp pass down the left from Max sent Harry free. Harry cut in on the diagonal to fire past the keeper low inside the right post. Super cool finish to give Loxwood the lead. With the midfield pressing we continued to create chances but the central midfielders were sometimes too far forward which allowed Worthing to break through but Magnus marshalled the left flank brilliantly and Tom and Joe were tight at the back and Eron was superb gathering the through-balls and shutting down attacks. On 17 mins Harry worked an opening again and once free he side-stepped the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty goal for his second goal. And on 27 mins Harry chased another through ball which the keeper tried to claim on the floor. He didn't quite have both hands on the ball as Harry played the ball. The ball ran forward, Harry ran on and from a tight angle he moved the ball onto his right foot to stroke the ball home from a tight angle for his hat-trick. Like last week another great example of the importance of chasing balls down.
The Lions' tails were up and we began to pass the ball around even more on the excellent surface to creating more chances. At the other end Daniel was becoming stronger and stronger tracking back and using his power and pace to win the ball and make passes. On the other side Mags out-muscled his opponent and created danger with exciting forward runs and passes. From the repeated attacks we forced many corners and Harry's deliveries created danger all morning. From one corner on 30 mins Louis rose highest like the proverbial salmon to meet the ball and power in a downward header giving the keeper no chance. Fantastic goal and 2 headers in 2 games for Louis.
4-0 at HT and the boys devoured their half-time drinks and Jaffa-cakes ready to come out again in the second half.
The second half continued with Loxwood driving forward and Louis in particular using his physicality in midfield winning the ball and threading passes through. Max too was becoming more influential and Ben moved out wide to use his pace on the wing. Loxwood continued to threaten with the keeper making some good saves to deny the hard-working Hamish, including a great save from a free-kick on the edge of the box. On 54 mins Max was pushed over on the right and Joe flighted a super cross which Harry met on the half-volley beyond the defenders, to lift the ball over the keeper for his fourth goal of the match!
Joe and Tom were repeatedly coming through with the ball and playing good passes to launch more attacks and from yet another corner Joe timed his run perfectly to jump up and fire in another header high and right behind the keeper to make it 6-0. Super goal. Again Harry's delivery was right on the money.
The game finished 6-0 with a clean sheet for Eron, Loxwood building on a good result last week, and the Lions maintaining our position in the league. Well done to all the boys on another great result and a brilliant game. Mags had a really top game, and Louis did particularly well in the second half. All the boys deserve a cool shower and a cold drink!
Man of the match: Harry Hunter, 4 goals and 2 assists. Boom!
Loxwood started with Eron behind a central pairing of Tom M and Joe with Magnus and on the right main his full debut. Harry was wide left, Josh wide right with Ben, Louis and Max in the middle, and Hamish upfront. From the kick-off Loxwood had most of the territory pressuring the midfield and backline.
On 10 mins a sharp pass down the left from Max sent Harry free. Harry cut in on the diagonal to fire past the keeper low inside the right post. Super cool finish to give Loxwood the lead. With the midfield pressing we continued to create chances but the central midfielders were sometimes too far forward which allowed Worthing to break through but Magnus marshalled the left flank brilliantly and Tom and Joe were tight at the back and Eron was superb gathering the through-balls and shutting down attacks. On 17 mins Harry worked an opening again and once free he side-stepped the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty goal for his second goal. And on 27 mins Harry chased another through ball which the keeper tried to claim on the floor. He didn't quite have both hands on the ball as Harry played the ball. The ball ran forward, Harry ran on and from a tight angle he moved the ball onto his right foot to stroke the ball home from a tight angle for his hat-trick. Like last week another great example of the importance of chasing balls down.
The Lions' tails were up and we began to pass the ball around even more on the excellent surface to creating more chances. At the other end Daniel was becoming stronger and stronger tracking back and using his power and pace to win the ball and make passes. On the other side Mags out-muscled his opponent and created danger with exciting forward runs and passes. From the repeated attacks we forced many corners and Harry's deliveries created danger all morning. From one corner on 30 mins Louis rose highest like the proverbial salmon to meet the ball and power in a downward header giving the keeper no chance. Fantastic goal and 2 headers in 2 games for Louis.
4-0 at HT and the boys devoured their half-time drinks and Jaffa-cakes ready to come out again in the second half.
The second half continued with Loxwood driving forward and Louis in particular using his physicality in midfield winning the ball and threading passes through. Max too was becoming more influential and Ben moved out wide to use his pace on the wing. Loxwood continued to threaten with the keeper making some good saves to deny the hard-working Hamish, including a great save from a free-kick on the edge of the box. On 54 mins Max was pushed over on the right and Joe flighted a super cross which Harry met on the half-volley beyond the defenders, to lift the ball over the keeper for his fourth goal of the match!
Joe and Tom were repeatedly coming through with the ball and playing good passes to launch more attacks and from yet another corner Joe timed his run perfectly to jump up and fire in another header high and right behind the keeper to make it 6-0. Super goal. Again Harry's delivery was right on the money.
The game finished 6-0 with a clean sheet for Eron, Loxwood building on a good result last week, and the Lions maintaining our position in the league. Well done to all the boys on another great result and a brilliant game. Mags had a really top game, and Louis did particularly well in the second half. All the boys deserve a cool shower and a cold drink!
Man of the match: Harry Hunter, 4 goals and 2 assists. Boom!
Harry The Goal Hunter...
