Brimsham green away 15/04/2023

10-man Lion stage a dramatic comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit to emerge 3-2 victors away at Brimsham Green.

First Half

Lion FC entered the contest playing an attacking formation, with the defensive trio of Slade, Williams and Galli enabling Lion to push more players forward.

The change looked to have paid off almost immediately, with Lion dominating possession. An early chance fell to Mo Sumareh, who picked up a Josh through ball only to slam the ball against the post. A host of corners and free kicks followed from the initial Lion pressure, with none resulting in decisive chances.

It was Brimsham Green, however, who managed to break the deadlock with their first shot on target. After growing into the game and a good passage of play on the left flank, Brimsham’s central midfielder played a through-ball. The lively number 9 met the pass, finishing after a tussle with defender Galli.

A scrappy period of play followed, with Lion FC unable to recapture their former composure. Chances did eventually present themselves, with both Al Moores and Mo Rabia failing to convert from close range. The Lion front line seemed determined to deny Josh an assist.

The first half was punctuated by an unsavoury off the ball incident, which led to a red card for Sumareh. Finding themselves now a man down, as well as a goal, Lion continued to struggle.

The half ended catastrophically for Lion, as the skilful Brimsham number 10 was downed in the box by defender Slade. Although keeper Jones has built a well-earned reputation as a penalty specialist, he had little here after a confident strike – the number 10 converting the penalty he had won.

Second Half

There was no doubt that to rescue their promotion hopes, Lion would need to achieve something remarkable in the second half. There was no sign of despondency however, with Lion changing to a 4-4-1 and manager Brimble introducing the pacey Dan Jones as the lone striker.

Brimsham Green were content to sit back, maintain possession, seeking to capitalise on the extra man and tire Lion FC’s press. However, a combination of Lion’s incredible effort and fitness, and the constant threat of Rabia and Jones’ pace in behind the defence, made this tactic look increasingly shaky.

It was not long before Dan Jones beat the defensive line after several marginal offside calls, sprinting onto a Harris through ball, yet failing to beat the keeper. Moments later, Lion FC won a corner after smart work from Jones and Rabia.

After the keeper parried the cross, Slade redeemed himself for his earlier mishap, heading the ball back across the goal for Al Moores to head home.

After this goal, a palpable sense of belief seemed to flourish among the Lion players, dominating possession and closing down Brimsham with commitment and tenacity.

The equaliser soon followed, after a trademark mazy run from Rabia, cutting in from the left-hand side and finding Harris. After Harris laid the ball off to Beard, his lofted through ball was pounced on by Dan Jones. With his back to goal and work to do, Jones turned and struck the ball on the volley, triggering ecstatic celebrations from the Lion bench as the ball clattered in off the cross bar.

Not content to have salvaged a draw, Lion continued to press. Once again, Mo tested the back four with his pace advancing onto a Beard through ball. His chance parried by the keeper, Dan Jones picked up the ball, quickly exchanging passes with Mo. The goal was gaping, the keeper flailing, the Brimsham defenders scurrying to the goal line before Jones blasted over from inside the box.

Again, Lion were not discouraged, and continued to press forward and maintaining possession well. Manager Brimble made another change, unleashing the pace of Rehad from the bench. Rehad started brightly, finding himself in space and combining well with the Lion midfield.

Within minutes of his introduction, Rehad found himself on the edge of the box receiving the ball from Mo. His smart low shot took the keeper off guard, finding the bottom corner and causing hysteria among the Lion faithful.

With still 10 minutes remaining, Lion could have been forgiven for taking a back step to cling onto the slender lead. They continued to press however, controlling possession, and limiting Brimsham to shots from distance.

Rabia almost sealed the result for Lion, latching on to a through ball form Slade, expertly placed between the Brimsham full back and centre half. Through on goal, Mo sought the bottom far corner, but his shot smashed into the post before rebounding into the keeper’s arms.

The miss was not to prove decisive, with Lion FC earning a hard-fought victory with a tremendous display of character, fitness, and skill, sure to find its place into Lion folklore.

Final Score: Brimsham Green 2-3 Lion FC.

Man of the Match: Shaun Williams for a faultless display at Centre Half.

Loser: Beard for his sequence of foul throws