Newcomers U14 Lions Find Their League Form Quickly

Worplesdon Rangers FC U14 Lions 3 – 2 Alexandra United

SPL Division 2

Sunday 16th October 2016

By Our Man In the Dugout, Sean Crooke, Lions Manager

The Club’s Newly-Launched U14 Lions, With Coach Phil Gaff and Manager, Sean Crooke

After a frustrating wait for our league registration, the U14 Lions finally got their League campaign off and running with an early kick-off at Christ’s College.

The Lions started the more confident of the two teams, playing with a 4-4-1-1 formation.  The midfield soon took control, creating two early chances for Lewis who wasn’t able to finish off some good passing moves. With so many new players to the team,  Alexandra United managed to make the score 2-0 against the run of play. However, to their credit, the boys picked themselves up and started to put pressure on the away team’s defence and got their reward with a speculative shot from Leo at 25 yards make the score 2-1 at half-time. The opposition goalie won’t want to see that again….

Straight from the kick-off, the Lions soon showed their desire to get something from the game and a good move saw Luke find Jack, who rounded the Alexandra United ‘keeper and beat the players on the line to make the scores level at 40 minutes. Before Alexandra could catch their breath, more pressure from the Lions saw Jack (42 minutes) make the score 3-2 to the Lions.  Chances came and went, with good work from Luke and MoM Noah working up both wings.

Alexandra changed formation and started to put pressure on a now tiring Lions’ defence, led by Captain of the day Finley, with Liam pulling off some good saves to keep Lions ahead.  With the help of some fresh legs, the Lions managed to hold on for a well-deserved three points.

Some great performances from all the squad – and a good start to our new life in SPL Division 2.

A special mention to our new kit sponsors Normandy Garage, whose purchase of a new kit gave the squad a lift before kick-off.