| Date | Home team | Score | Away team | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Feb 2012 | U12s Lions | 5-1 | Chelmsford City Clarets | League Cup |
LIONS REACH CUP FINAL
Focus Ferrers Lions u12s 5
Chelmsford City Clarets u12s 1
Cup semi final day and there is no harder challenge than
the Clarets, winner of a league and cup double last season. The boys needed little
motivation and from the start were sharp to the ball. Lucas Doherty set the
tone with some tremendous battling on the right flank and linked up superbly
with Callum Osmond who again looked very confident at the right of a 3 man
defence. The Clarets pressed as anticipated but Bens Jackman and Prentice were
snuffing out all of the early ball and if it passed them then Callum ,James Caples and
Nathan Warren were intercepting with head or foot. It was clear the Lions were
very much in this game and on 7 mins they opened their account. Another immense
Ben J tackle led to Ben Prentice feeding Tom Butcher who slipped it to Andrew
Hill. Andrews pace took him past the last defender and he then tapped it round
the Clarets keeper before somehow sliding home a left foot shot from an
unbelievably tight angle. Jubilant scenes and the boys did not sit back. A corner
was won on 9 minutes and Callum Osmond lined up to take. Probably one of the
finest strikers of the ball in the side Callum really delivered a beauty as it
curled up, over and to the delight of the Lions past the keeper 2-0, and there
was a real need for calm and concentration. The boys were fully aware, and tackles
were made all over the park as Clarets responded in fine style. A Clarets
corner brought the first of a tremendous series of saves from Jamie Penkman and
the back three were worked left and right.
Ryan Corbett came into defence and slid in for several key challenges and kept
the ball simple as he cleared his lines. The Clarets then got through again and
after Jamie was expertly lobbed it was Ben "Scott Parker" Jackman who
headed the ball off the line. The Lions made the most of this break and it was 3-0 after Ben Prentice and
Tom Butcher combined to set Andrew free again. With the goal in his sights he
needed no second invitation and steered the ball home. It was not over yet as it
was 4-0 just two minutes later as Andrew again fired low and hard with the keeper only
able to parry the shot as it dribbled over the line. Enough excitement for a
whole season in one half and parents as well as boys took a well earned rest.
The second period saw the Clarets show their class and the Lions their commitment and determination.
Possession sat with the champions and Jamie Penkman turned in a stunning
performance making a low full length save from a shot bound for the bottom
corner. This was followed up with Kane Paveley making his customary goal line
clearance as he positioned himself superbly. Jamie then clawed away 2 further
efforts including a stunning stop from a goal bound header. James , Kane and Nathan were fantastic as the lines were
cleared but the Clarets finally struck. A clearance from Jamie was fired
straight back towards goal and despite a valiant effort the ball could only be palmed into
the net. It was 4 -1 and nobody was writing off the Clarets. A period of calm followed with Lions to a man giving
there all and the finale came on 58 minutes with Callum putting through the tireless Ben
Prentice who despite pressure from 2 defenders skilfully lobbed the advancing
keeper to send the boys through to the final. It is very difficult to describe how proud supporters and coaching staff are of the boys for this performance. This is only the semi final and the Lions will now face Wilvale Rangers in a pre jubilee super Sunday on the 27th May but this will go down as one of the finest days for the boys and we all (including Ashley) take our hats off to you.
TEAM.JAMIE PENKMAN,CALLUM OSMOND,KANE PAVELEY,JAMES CAPLES,ANDREW HILL,BEN JACKMAN,NATHAN WARREN,TOM BUTCHER,BEN PRENTICE,LUCAS DOHERTY,RYAN CORBETT
GOALS:ANDREW HILL (7,22,24) CALLUM OSMOND (9) BEN PRENTICE (58)
PLAYER OF MATCH : IT IS NOT A CLICHE TO SAY EVERY SINGLE PLAYER WAS OUTSTANDING AND DESERVING OF THIS, BUT FIRST AMONG EQUALS GOES TO BEN JACKMAN FOR A SIMPLY STUNNING GAME IN NEW MIDFIELD ROLE.