IMPRESSIVE START FROM LIONS

Focus ferrers Lions u12s 6

Great Notley Knights u12s 0

Season opener for the boys as they took on a great Notley team they last faced in mini soccer days. With Ben Jackman starting bewtween the sticks and Ryan Corbett making his lions debut it was all go for the 2011/12 campaign. The Notley team had suffered a last minute injury crisis and were a man down but set up in organised fashion for the opening encounters. Jack Fuller found some early space on the left and played in Andrew Hill for an early chance on 2 mins. Ben Prentice was adopting a forward role and made a series of mazy runs into the knights area. The first goal came on 7 mins when James Caples remained upfield from a Callum Osmond corner and rifled home a low shot after a neat pass from Nathan Warren. It was 2-0 within a minute as Andrew Hill saw the Knights number 1 a little off guard and looped in a dipping half volley that nestled in the net. The Knights were far from finished and some angled balls proved successful as their number 10 cut in on goal. Ben Jackman was wisely using all of his area and swept up with either foot or hands whenever danger came. It was 3-0 when Callum wriggled free of two defenders in the area and crunched home his shot. Jamie Penkman making a return to the Lions defence then hit the fat post twice in 2 mins from fierce shots. The fourth goal came just on half time as Andrew Hill ghosted in and finished well in the corner after fine work from Jack and Nathan. It was hard work and despite a good pre season there was not too much half time chat as the boys gulped down water and devoured the oranges. The fifth goal came staraight after the break as Nathan and Andrew combined well to slip in Callum for a neat finish.The Lions were now combining well but not getting the rewards of the first half. Ben Prentice was doing everything but score as shots just missed and the Knights keeper bravely stood firm. Ryan Corbett looked very calm and assured in defence and Ben Jackman was offering another option at the back with some solid kicking from back passes. Kane Paveley had a very strong game moving from right back to left back and right midfield and Jamie Penkman looked very composed in the centre back role . Nathan Warren and Jack Fuller were rotating well in midfield and setting Ben Prentice away with some dangerous runs. Callum Osmond showed particularly well in the second half finding lots of space on the right. It was Callum who put in Andrew Hill for the sixth goal on 41 mins with a nice weighted pass. Further chances came and went but no more goals. A very bright start for the boys but they will need to quicken up their movement and passing in the weeks to come. Well played boys.
TEAM.BEN JACKMAN,CALLUM OSMOND,KANE PAVELEY,JACK FULLER,JAMES CAPLES,ANDREW HILL,JAMIE PENKMAN,NATHAN WARREN,BEN PRENTICE,RYAN CORBETT
GOALS:ANDREW HILL (8,29.41) CALLUM OSMOND ((14,32) JAMES CAPLES (7)
PARENTS MAN OF MATCH:JAMES CAPLES - CALM AND ASSURED ALWAYS LOOKING TO PLAY THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY