With an extra special buzz of cup excitement in the air and the beaming morning sunshine, the Lions were hungry for a first round cup victory over the hosts Ashington Reds, who were doing well at the top of Division B.
Before the match the boys all gave a warm welcome to Eddie, making his debut for the Lions. Loxwood started strongly and after dominating the early stages of the match, a misjudged goal-kick by the Ashington keeper rebounded off Hamish into Jack’s path enabling Jack to unleash a shot beyond the keeper from 10 yards outside the box. 1-0 Lions on 10 mins. Loxwood continued to press and create scoring chances, but a long ball over the top of our defence saw the Ashington forward run through and finish well against the run of play after 18 minutes. 1-1. Loxwood responded immediately with Joe B and Fraser winning balls in the middle at the back, and Mags and Rory both pressing higher. The Ashington keeper was forced into a number of good saves including a finger tip save from Eddie, who burst through the middle and flicked the ball to the keeper’s right on to the post. Ashington continued to play long which caused some danger, but Eron was again fabulously mobile, attacking through-balls and supported well by the hard working boys at the back.
From one high Eron clearance in the 22nd minute, Hamish killed the ball at his feet in midfield. He then side-stepped a couple of players, looked up and chipped the ball through the defence to put Jack clear on the right. Jack ran on with 2 touches and a shot across the keeper to fire home and restore Loxwood’s lead, 2-1. Brilliant goal. Loxwood were playing some super football at this point, passing the ball around and through midfield with Eddie settling right in and linking up play well with Will and Ben, as illustrated by a great move up the right resulting in a Ben cross. One special moment of fantastic skill is worthy of mention when Eron smashed a clearance upfield which Eddie trapped waist-high instantly at his feet. Tremendous TEKKERS!
Moments later a well-worked move up the left saw Magnus and Freddie combine and thread the ball to Hamish who ran through 2 players from the edge of the box to curl a right footed shot beyond the keeper and inside the right-hand post to put Loxwood 3-1 up on the 30th minute.
Half-time and the boys were buzzing as Ian reminded them it takes 3 to beat us now, and to keep it tight at the back. One more goal would be decisive.
Loxwood started the second half like they finished the first with Joe S fighting for the ball and winning tackles and Harry offering options on the right. Delightfully Loxwood then created a chance from a throw-in as Hamish threw the ball over 2 defenders to Jack inside the box. The ball broke back to Eddie who stepped on to the ball to thunder a half-volley 2 feet of the ground like a rocket inside the left-hand post to score on his debut. Another excellent goal and keeper no chance. 4-1 to the Lions in the 45th minute.
Loxwood now were firmly on top with Mags and Rory charging forward and Fraser, Joe B and Joe S winning the ball. Loxwood won a free kick outside the box on the left and Jack’s free-kick drew an ooohhhhh from the supporters as his shot skimmed off the bar with the keeper well beaten. But 5 minutes later in the 55th minute, Freddie surged forward up the left, cut inside, and struck a venomous shot in at the near post with the keeper well beaten once again, for another wonderful finish, 5-1 to the the Lions.
After another Loxwood attack the keeper kicked the ball long only for Joe S to beat 2 Ashington players to the ball and knock it forward to Hamish outside the D. On the half-turn Hamish lobbed the ball first-time high over the keeper and into the back of the net to complete a set of really superb goals. 6-1 on 63 minutes. Ben and Will replaced Rory and Fraser and Loxwood continued to press from the back, but the game was also notable for the Lions, very unjustly, receiving their first yellow card when Will accidentally collided with an Ashington player, as acknowledged by the Ashington coaches. Will’s positioning and strength were terrific at the back and his teammates of course rightly defended Will to the hilt- in fact everyone was quite proud of Will!
At the end Ashington snatched a late goal to their credit with 6-2 the final score. Loxwood were terrific on the day, fully justifying their status in the higher division. The boys thanked the fabulous travelling support and we wish all the best to Mag’s granny who was accidentally knocked over pitch side.
Thanks to Ashington for a great match, and well done to the Lions and on to the next round...
Before the match the boys all gave a warm welcome to Eddie, making his debut for the Lions. Loxwood started strongly and after dominating the early stages of the match, a misjudged goal-kick by the Ashington keeper rebounded off Hamish into Jack’s path enabling Jack to unleash a shot beyond the keeper from 10 yards outside the box. 1-0 Lions on 10 mins. Loxwood continued to press and create scoring chances, but a long ball over the top of our defence saw the Ashington forward run through and finish well against the run of play after 18 minutes. 1-1. Loxwood responded immediately with Joe B and Fraser winning balls in the middle at the back, and Mags and Rory both pressing higher. The Ashington keeper was forced into a number of good saves including a finger tip save from Eddie, who burst through the middle and flicked the ball to the keeper’s right on to the post. Ashington continued to play long which caused some danger, but Eron was again fabulously mobile, attacking through-balls and supported well by the hard working boys at the back.
From one high Eron clearance in the 22nd minute, Hamish killed the ball at his feet in midfield. He then side-stepped a couple of players, looked up and chipped the ball through the defence to put Jack clear on the right. Jack ran on with 2 touches and a shot across the keeper to fire home and restore Loxwood’s lead, 2-1. Brilliant goal. Loxwood were playing some super football at this point, passing the ball around and through midfield with Eddie settling right in and linking up play well with Will and Ben, as illustrated by a great move up the right resulting in a Ben cross. One special moment of fantastic skill is worthy of mention when Eron smashed a clearance upfield which Eddie trapped waist-high instantly at his feet. Tremendous TEKKERS!
Moments later a well-worked move up the left saw Magnus and Freddie combine and thread the ball to Hamish who ran through 2 players from the edge of the box to curl a right footed shot beyond the keeper and inside the right-hand post to put Loxwood 3-1 up on the 30th minute.
Half-time and the boys were buzzing as Ian reminded them it takes 3 to beat us now, and to keep it tight at the back. One more goal would be decisive.
Loxwood started the second half like they finished the first with Joe S fighting for the ball and winning tackles and Harry offering options on the right. Delightfully Loxwood then created a chance from a throw-in as Hamish threw the ball over 2 defenders to Jack inside the box. The ball broke back to Eddie who stepped on to the ball to thunder a half-volley 2 feet of the ground like a rocket inside the left-hand post to score on his debut. Another excellent goal and keeper no chance. 4-1 to the Lions in the 45th minute.
Loxwood now were firmly on top with Mags and Rory charging forward and Fraser, Joe B and Joe S winning the ball. Loxwood won a free kick outside the box on the left and Jack’s free-kick drew an ooohhhhh from the supporters as his shot skimmed off the bar with the keeper well beaten. But 5 minutes later in the 55th minute, Freddie surged forward up the left, cut inside, and struck a venomous shot in at the near post with the keeper well beaten once again, for another wonderful finish, 5-1 to the the Lions.
After another Loxwood attack the keeper kicked the ball long only for Joe S to beat 2 Ashington players to the ball and knock it forward to Hamish outside the D. On the half-turn Hamish lobbed the ball first-time high over the keeper and into the back of the net to complete a set of really superb goals. 6-1 on 63 minutes. Ben and Will replaced Rory and Fraser and Loxwood continued to press from the back, but the game was also notable for the Lions, very unjustly, receiving their first yellow card when Will accidentally collided with an Ashington player, as acknowledged by the Ashington coaches. Will’s positioning and strength were terrific at the back and his teammates of course rightly defended Will to the hilt- in fact everyone was quite proud of Will!
At the end Ashington snatched a late goal to their credit with 6-2 the final score. Loxwood were terrific on the day, fully justifying their status in the higher division. The boys thanked the fabulous travelling support and we wish all the best to Mag’s granny who was accidentally knocked over pitch side.
Thanks to Ashington for a great match, and well done to the Lions and on to the next round...
Joe B Marshalling The Back Line And Freddie Pressing....
