Lions' Roar Silences Strikers

So this was to be a clash of Titans. Despite a fright on their last outing NST are still flying high at the top of the league, albeit on goal difference, with the undefeated Lions stalking them in the pursuing pack. We travelled to the Nightingale Avenue hoping that the bright and sunny morning would find the visitors on song. In the pre-match conference the manager said he was looking for “more personal commitment in the tackle” and a return to the “sweet passing form” of earlier in the season. Our form in the warm up however, looked decidedly lacklustre and there was much discussion on the sidelines on the merits of getting all your duff shots out before the match starts. On the plus side Paul was looking very lively!

Our starting line up is Joe, Oliver, Jake, Tommy, Ed and Alex in goal. From the kick off the Strikers are straight onto the front foot. Oliver wins possession and drives down the right wing, eventually being outnumbered by the Cherry Hinton defenders.  Quick to respond, the Lions attack at pace but Joe mops up. Back we come again with Oliver on another mazy run down the right. This time he forces a corner but the Lions defence deals with the kick and launch another counter attack. Joe under pressure in the box fluffs his first clearance but recovers well to set off Tommy with a long ball. Good work by Tommy leads to a corner, but the ball is soon back down our end. Crossed in from wide, Joe intercepts the ball diverting it out for a corner via the post. Phew ! The kicks lands in the box and as the defence struggles to clear the ball we are caught in possession and the Lions finish from close in to make it 1-0. They are a useful looking bunch. This could be a tricky one.

Galvanised by the setback, the Strikers up the pace with Ed whizzing around all over the pitch. Winning the ball in typical gutsy fashion, Ed pings the ball forward from deep in our half. It takes a freak bounce leaving the advancing goalie stranded and Ed is able to celebrate a Bentley-esque strike. (That's David, not Paul by the way!) NST return to parity and 1-1.

With their confidence bolstered the boys begin to assert themselves and start to pass the ball around more fluently. As the pressure grows on the Lions’ goalmouth Tommy and Jake combine well but are unable to get the shot away. As the ball is scrambled clear, the Lions break in numbers swarming towards our goal but shooting over the bar leaving Alex untroubled. This is not a relaxing game ! Soon NST are back on the attack. Jake and Oliver combine on the right leading to a cracking strike from Oliver which is brilliantly saved by the Lions’ keeper high in the top corner. The Strikers have their tails up now and a great move involving Ed, Jake and Tommy leads to an opportunity on the left. Jake, although outnumbered in the box and seemingly running out of options, swivels and smashes the ball high into the roof of the net. Much joy on the touchlines and celebrations on the pitch. 1-2 to the Strikers and normal service resumed?

This Lions side is not about to roll over however. Within seconds of the restart they are back on the attack. A rasping shot is launched goalwards and as it arcs towards the top corner Alex leaps and palms it away superbly. The rebound is blasted over the bar and the danger subsides. Deep breaths and sighs of relief all round ! Duncan decides it’s time for a change and Tommy takes a well-earned breather while Matty S has a run out.  Cherry Hinton continue to press and win a series of throws down our left wing. The Strikers' defence resists well though, with Ed acting as the hit man and Joe the stalwart sweeping up any loose pieces. As the Lions whip in a tricky ball Matty S heads away the danger. It is soon returned and finds an unmarked Lion lurking in front of goal, but the resultant chance is smashed over the bar. Then some awesome play from NST as Jake and Matty S sweep the ball forward. Oliver moves it to Ed venturing down the right. He crosses to Jake who brings a fantastic save out of the keeper. Oliver retires with a face injury and Matty P joins the fray. In the last few seconds of the quarter he slots the ball through to Jake whose last gasp shot brings yet another great save from the Cherry Hinton goalie. Thankfully the ref blows for the end of the quarter and we can all go and calm down for a few minutes.

For the second quarter Ed picks up the keeper’s top and Sean joins the line up with Alex, both Matts and Joe. The Lions continue to play confidently and you have to admire their passing game and well organised play. As they come forward there is a melee in front of goal and somehow the ball squirts over the line making it 2-2. This leads to a strong response from the Strikers with Matty P and Sean pressurising the Lions’ defence. Sean takes a throw-in and launches the ball deep into the Lions’ box where Matty S is waiting. As defenders surround him he gets away a shot, but just wide. Keeping up the momentum, Alex drives through midfield but is brought down, resulting in a free kick. He launches the ball into the danger zone and as Cherry Hinton clear their lines the ball falls to Matty P who unleashes a fantastic left foot piledriver. Amazingly, the Lions' goalie saves it. Matty S follows up the rebound but the ball crashes over the bar. This is a battle royale. No quarter given and none sought.

As the struggle continues the ball is lost in midfield. Cherry Hinton surge forward and slot the ball past the unlucky Ed. The score is 2-3, time to show some mettle. Ed and Joe swap the keeper’s jersey. Duncan moves Matty S to sweeper and Ed is unleashed. He makes an immediate impact winning the ball in his usual energetic fashion. He slips it through to Sean who finds Matty P in space. Matty lobs the goalie but achingly the ball goes inches wide of his chosen destination. As the Lions counter, Matty S is resolute in his new defensive role closing down any emerging threat. Ed goes off and Jake returns to the action. He is soon involved, winning the ball in midfield. Then, beating two opponents Jake launches a venomous strike which hits the bar! The gods are favouring the Lions today. As they return to the attack Cherry Hinton play a sweeping move across midfield finding a player in space in front of goal. His well struck shot looks bound for the bottom corner until Joe makes a critical save. The ref blows and that’s the end of the second quarter. Only half time? I’m not sure we can take much more of this!

With a paucity of volunteers, Matty P pulls on the goalie jersey for the third quarter and the outfield team consists of Tommy, Joe, Jake, Oliver and Alex. The Lions seem determined to press home their advantage and push forward putting NST under some sustained pressure. We’re able to deal with it but without making any real progress of our own. Then Oliver breaks from midfield. Carrying the ball deep into the Lions' den he thunders in a shot, but just wide. Surely, we’ve got to score soon?

The game is interrupted while a white husky dog decides to run rampant across the pitch. He steals an orange and soon he is off to bother another match and the game continues with more pressure from NST. Cherry Hinton are pinned back; but are doing just enough to keep the Strikers from getting a decent shot on goal. Inevitably, the Lions break back and some great interplay by their forwards ends with a terrific chance on goal which is terminated when Alex, who has stormed back the length of the pitch, slides in to clear. From the throw in, Tommy, rather unluckily, concedes a penalty for hand ball. This is a critical moment. Our goalie, Matty P seems relaxed as the Lions’ forward places the ball on the spot. Can he? Will he? The ball is crashed goal-ward and Matty P makes a priceless save. You beauty! Joe is alert and clears the rebound before anyone else can react. Fantastic stuff and that closes the third quarter.

For the final quarter Matty P remains on goal-keeping duty and we start with Jake, Alex, Sean, Joe and Matty S. Urged on from the sidelines the Strikers try to get back to parity. Jake bursts down the right and sends a rasping shot goal-wards. It goes just wide. From the goal kick the Strikers keep the Lions pinned back while the manager discusses mid-game cakes and biscuit strategy with the ladies! Doesn’t he know how serious this is? The Lions are soon back on the attack and Matty P makes a great save from a stinging shot. His immense throw out goes past the half way line and Jake is soon onto it but unable to get a shot away due to some stout defending. The pressure continues to mount as Joe surges forward, but his effort is similarly frustrated. Sean picks up the pieces and passes to Alex who launches a fantastic strike which edges just wide of the post.

From the goal kick Alex wins possession but is crocked by some increasingly desperate defending. The free kick is lined up by Jake. His stinging shot hurts the wall but does no damage to the score line. We’re all over them now and Oliver gets in on the act with another formidable strike which pings off a defender. Then just when we think we’ll never get back into the game an amazing last minute hat-trick from Jake leads to us running out winners 3-5! No, not really. That was just my fantasy football result... The ref blows and the Lions’ bow out 3-2 match winners. 

Well, who needs the Premiership? This was a brilliant, entertaining, nerve-wracking match. A fantastic battle, well-played by both sides. There was some great football and exciting attacking play which was a joy to behold. In the end the Lions, a bit more organised and fluent in their passing, just edged it. Well done all and congratulations to both managers for turning out such great sporting teams. (Pix to follow)

Squad: Alex, Tommy, Matty S, Sean, Jake, Joe, Matty P, Ed, Oliver.

Scorers: Jake, Ed.