Lion Reserves returned in two ways on Saturday. Firstly, to the wonders of the Bristol Downs with charming changing rooms, the nostalgia of walking 10 minutes to the pitch and the priceless views of the Sea Wall as they took on NCSF Reserves: A team who had currently not lost so far this season and sat top of their respective division.
The Reserves also deservedly returned to winning ways with a comfortable 6-3 win over their opponents.
Lion, despite the 30 degree slope of the pitch, started with a real intensity and were able to pin the opposition in their own half within the first few minutes as Captain Tom and James North retrieved the ball every time the opposition had briefly won possession off the lion attackers.
For James, his energy levels may have been due to his whiskey and coke consumed before the game at the famous Kings Arms Pub. Additionally, another player who had a cheeky half pint before the game was Mike Downey, who had yet to score this season, but that record soon disappeared around the 5th minute of the game as he received the ball down the channel, cut in onto his right foot and leathered the ball into the back of the net (with help from a small deflection).
1-0 to Lion after a blistering start and NCSF did not know what had hit them.
However, credit must go to NCSF who, despite being second-best in the opening exchanges, were a threat from the flick on from their throw ins and corners. This was how they equalised in the 10th minute of the game as from a long-throw in, Small Mo headed the ball clear out of the box to the NCSF right winger who struck a sweet volley into the bottom left corner past the helpless Harry Harper, 1-1.
This would usually result in the Ressies crumbling after a positive start but today there was a confidence in the squad that this would only be a small blip. This was reflected in the play as Dorney was causing problem after problem for the tired NCSF defence, whilst the combination play down the lion wings oozed with class as the returning Piggy showed the Gaffer what he had been missing.
Captain Tom and James also impressed with their twinkle toes in the middle of the pitch. A loser nomination would soon occur as great play from Dorney down the left channel beat his man and then played a delightful ball which skimmed across the 5 yard box for what looked like a tap-in for the onrushing Aymen, who skied the ball over the bar.
Aymen must have been perfecting this technique as he did similar 5 minutes before from an Al flick on, after Rory Delap launched the ball into the box.
However, Lion soon took the lead as Piggy launched the ball upwards (press-ups) for Aymen, whose shot was saved superbly by the keeper only for the Dorney to magically appear and tuck it into the net for 2-1. Lion, now in their groove, had multiple chances from open play but also from set pieces with Dorney also attempting his own Hand of God which was correctly disallowed.
Al also had a big chance with his trademark of leaping like a salmon with a bullet header, which keeper saved expertly. For all the art being played, the 3rd goal came from a set-piece on the half way line which questionably the gaffer took but the end result saw Josh Hardie ghost in past the NCSF defence and poke the ball into the back of the net, 3-1.
This eventful half was far from over as Lion soon made it 4-1 before half-time as from a set piece the NCSF captain headed the ball over his own goalkeeper into the back of net after pressure from Aymen. Half-time 4-1. Half time saw Rehad and Small Mo come on for Josh and James. Josh made sure he came back on later in the half by sharing the gaffer’s personal space with poorly executed intimidation tactics.
Second Half
The second half started brightly again with Mo 5 introduced 5 minutes before half-time showing why he is highly rated within the club with his non-stop running and high press forcing the NCSF defence into mistakes. Lion were able to continue their dominance.
This soon payed off again as from another set piece the gaffer headed the ball back across the box for Mo 5 to back-heel the ball past the NCSF goalkeeper, 5-1. With the score comfortable, changes were made to ensure everyone got to experience the wonder and amazement of the Downs and this ultimately made the game more scrappy which suited NCSF reserves who soon found a way back into the game.
A lacklustre back pass from Wakey saw the NCSF striker nick the ball, and goalkeeper Harry somehow punched it into his own net 5-2. As more Lion changes were made, returning Piggy also received a loser nomination for his tantrum as he left the pitch as the gaffer played him in Centre Midfield for a record of 2 minutes.
As Piggy made his way off, Rehad swung in a delightful corner which the Gaffer looped into the top corner to make it 6-2 with around 10 minutes to go. Although, the goal scoring was not completed as NCSF found another way back into the game as Wakey, faced with danger, played the ball back to Harry who channelled his inner Onana and decided to have a Swing & a Miss with his weaker left foot.
6-3 is how the game finished. A delightful return for Lion Reserves to the Downs and hopefully they can now take this performance into the league at Mangotsfield next week.
MOM: Dorney/Downey for his goal-scoring antics
Loser: Tom A- As Harry and Aymen bottled the pub, Tom A for having a date in the pub after the game
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