The Lions continued their steady improvement dominating large periods of play, despite going down to a very direct and effective Cranleigh side that are currently joint top of the league.
The starting team was Eron in goal, with Magnus, Will, Fraser and Joe S across the back, Harry, Joe B, Rory and Ted in midfield, and Ben and Jack up front with Harry B on the bench and it was the Lions who raced out of the blocks winning the early midfield battles and launching attacks. It only took 7 minutes for the Lions to break the deadlock with a well-worked move releasing Jack into the box on the left. His shot was blocked but the Lions were swarming and Harry followed up twice to eventually sweep the ball high into the right-hand corner of the goal. Harry started the game very strongly and continued to fight and challenge for the ball, and go past players. With the opposition stunned Loxwood continued to have the upper-hand in play but Cranleigh's tactics of hitting long balls wide for runners was increasingly a factor with Magnus and Will repelling the attacks. On 18 minutes, with Loxwood pressing hard again for a second goal, the Cranleigh keeper launched a high clearance over the top which a Cranleigh forward ran onto to finish well to equalise 1-1. Cranleigh scored 3 more before HT with similar long passes for runners which the Lions will need to work on.
The Lions did not let their heads drop though and it was brilliant to see the midfielders repeatedly battle and fight to win tackles and second balls to launch flowing Loxwood attacks. Some of the passing moves were terrific with Ted and Rory increasingly running beyond the strikers to threaten Cranleigh time and again to force mistakes and create chances.
Harry B came on for Ben at HT and immediately hit 2 terrific through-balls for Jack proving his ability at this level. Cranleigh were always dangerous on the attack and always very threatening but such was the power and commitment of the boys with Fraser and Joe S stepping up to win balls. Loxwood continued to play some superb football passing through Cranleigh to create scoring chances. Unfortunately the Lions could not convert the chances when they came but Loxwood continued to take the game to Cranleigh with spirit and fight dominating the last 20 minutes. Loxwood were hit twice more late on as they continiued to attack and push for a goal. At the final whistle the boys could feel their strength as a team and were very buoyant after the match knowing how well they had played despite the scoreline.
The starting team was Eron in goal, with Magnus, Will, Fraser and Joe S across the back, Harry, Joe B, Rory and Ted in midfield, and Ben and Jack up front with Harry B on the bench and it was the Lions who raced out of the blocks winning the early midfield battles and launching attacks. It only took 7 minutes for the Lions to break the deadlock with a well-worked move releasing Jack into the box on the left. His shot was blocked but the Lions were swarming and Harry followed up twice to eventually sweep the ball high into the right-hand corner of the goal. Harry started the game very strongly and continued to fight and challenge for the ball, and go past players. With the opposition stunned Loxwood continued to have the upper-hand in play but Cranleigh's tactics of hitting long balls wide for runners was increasingly a factor with Magnus and Will repelling the attacks. On 18 minutes, with Loxwood pressing hard again for a second goal, the Cranleigh keeper launched a high clearance over the top which a Cranleigh forward ran onto to finish well to equalise 1-1. Cranleigh scored 3 more before HT with similar long passes for runners which the Lions will need to work on.
The Lions did not let their heads drop though and it was brilliant to see the midfielders repeatedly battle and fight to win tackles and second balls to launch flowing Loxwood attacks. Some of the passing moves were terrific with Ted and Rory increasingly running beyond the strikers to threaten Cranleigh time and again to force mistakes and create chances.
Harry B came on for Ben at HT and immediately hit 2 terrific through-balls for Jack proving his ability at this level. Cranleigh were always dangerous on the attack and always very threatening but such was the power and commitment of the boys with Fraser and Joe S stepping up to win balls. Loxwood continued to play some superb football passing through Cranleigh to create scoring chances. Unfortunately the Lions could not convert the chances when they came but Loxwood continued to take the game to Cranleigh with spirit and fight dominating the last 20 minutes. Loxwood were hit twice more late on as they continiued to attack and push for a goal. At the final whistle the boys could feel their strength as a team and were very buoyant after the match knowing how well they had played despite the scoreline.
