Lion FC welcomed Olveston Reserves to Little Stoke Park on Saturday 11th March having been comfortably victorious, 6-0, in the return fixture back in November.
With first team regulars Steve Moss, Shaun Williams and Ryan Robinson missing, through injury, absence, and mountaineering expeditions respectively, Lion FC did not expect another one-sided affair, especially in tough weather conditions.
In the early periods, Lion sought to assert themselves with their typical possession-based style of play, keeping the ball well between the back four, despite some gut-busting pressure from the Olveston front line.
The early pressure seemed to pay off almost immediately, with Mohammed Rabia putting the ball in the net after a somewhat hopeful through ball. The goal was disallowed for handball by the referee, Andy Plummer, with no complaint from Mo or the Lion players.
If Lion FC were put off by this early disappointment, they failed to show it, continuing to maintain possession well and break Olveston’s press. Minutes later Mo found the net again, though this time legitimately. After one of Daniel Jones’ trademark direct runs with the ball, the Olveston defence scrambled back to deny him a shot on goal only to see the ball ricochet into Mo’s path, as he finished well from just inside the box volleying into the roof of the net.
Throughout the half Lion FC pressed hard to add to their one goal lead. But, despite a succession of corners and free kicks in good areas, Lion FC were unable to score. Olveston defended resolutely, winning many key ariel duels in their penalty area.
Callum Slade also proved himself to adept at defending either goal, after blocking Ryan Harris’s low curling shot, which was (Harris claimed) destined for the bottom corner.
The first half did not go all Lion’s way, however. Olveston played a direct brand of football, especially with long balls floated into the channels beyond the Lion FC full backs, Joe Galli and Joe Sgroi. Decisive action from the central defence pairing of Felix McGovern and Slade, prevented any clear-cut Olveston chances.
Olveston did see the ball hit the back of the net later in the first half, after their right winger pounced on a through ball. Celebrations were cut short, though, as the linesman’s flag was raised; the goal scorer rightly adjudged to have been in an offside position.
The second half started with Lion FC once again on top, the pacey combination of Joe Sgroi and Mohammed Rabia causing the Olveston left flank some difficulty as Lion FC pressed forward to double their advantage.
As Olveston continued to drift left to tackle this imposing threat, first half substitute, Alex Moores, continued to find himself in ever more space on the other side of the pitch. When Mo cut inside and squared the ball to Al, 10 minutes into the first half, Al made the most of this space to net Lion’s second. After an excellent first touch carrying the ball directly into Olveston’s box, Al tucked the ball into the bottom right corner with the outside of his right foot, evading the last-ditch challenge of the Olveston centre half.
The advantaged doubled, Lion FC struggled to put the game to bed despite creating several chances. The best of which perhaps fell to Jace Esof, who blasted over with his normally prolific left foot from inside the box. From both flanks the Lion FC front men continued to pose a threat, with several dangerous crosses flashing across the Olveston box, only without the required finish.
As the second half progressed Olveston grew into the game and it was Lion’s defence which was now under pressure from a collection of attacking set pieces, one of which Lion keeper Ross Jones athletically tipped over the bar.
One other event offered some late game interest. When Lion FC’s talismanic Hungarian, Mateé, was forced off with an ankle injury, manager Luke Brimble looked to his substitute’s bench only to be greeted with the expectant gaze of Patrick McGovern. Now, footage had emerged this week of Pat scoring an actual goal, against actual adult opposition. The question: could history repeat itself?
The answer: No.
Taking the field in his newly purchased vibrant pink boots, it wasn’t long before Pat found himself in possession of the ball within striking distance of the opposition goal. Eager to prove that lightning does not, in fact, strike twice, Pat caressed the ball softly and obligingly into the Olveston keeper’s hands. This was, as Pat was at pains to point out, technically a ‘shot on target’, a fact that he has now no doubt immortalised in his personal journal.
Late game drama aside, Lion’s defence remained resolute in the face of increased pressure, weathering the storm in a more frantic than desirable last 10 minutes and ending the game deserved 2-0 winners.
Final score: Lion FC 2:0 Olveston Reserves.
MOM: Mohammed Rabia for his goal, assist and general wizardly.
Loser: New Josh for his shambolic attire.
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