- Sunday 9th March 2008 - Ashingdon Youth Pumas (0) Vs Beech United Lions (3)
Our last league game saw a couple of position changes with our regular goalkeeper playing in midfield and our central defender playing in goal.Both changes were succesful with our "new" goalkeeper making some fine saves and some confident handling and big kicking to help turn defence into attack. Our new midfielder helped the attack and defence with some very good tackling and ball control and beating players, even taking the 3rd goal with his right boot! - but news of this below.
The game was quite even for the 1st 15 minutes, both teams had a few chances, the boys seemed slow to start today and didn't really play that much football, both teams gave away possession easily, the boys were really quiet.
Eventually after the 1st substitution for us our new midfielder improved our game and we started to play better football which resulted in a well worked goal with a fine low,hard shot into the corner by our regular central midfielder.This obviously lifted the boys and we went in at half time 1 nil up.
The first 10 minutes of the 2nd half were mainly the same as the 1st half. We eventually doubled the lead with an excellent ,powerful long range shot and again this lifted the boys heads which resulted in us for the last ten minutes creating more chances and playing better football and the boys started to call and pass and find space and tackle (they just started putting in a lot more effort) and our main striker who was in the right place a no. of times was unfortunate not to add a third with some excellent football by our central midfielder to create the chances for others.
Eventually a well worked team move with our goalkeeper kicking the ball straight to our defender who in turn looked up and passed the ball down the line to our right midfielder who in turn passed it quickly to our striker who beat his defender skillfully and ran onto goal to put it right in the path of our new midfielder who slammed the ball home with his now famous right leg.
Well done boys for your 1st season in winning 13 games, drawing 1 and only losing 4 games by the odd goal, to finish 3rd.
You have all worked really hard in training and the matches and improved a lot during the season, we hope you have enjoyed it all as much as both the parents and management have.
- Sunday 24th February 2008 - Ashingdon Youth Pumas (P) Vs Beech United Lions (P)
Match Postponed
- Sunday 17th February 2008 - Beech United Lions (1) Vs Benfleet Villa Leopards (2)
The boys started off well calling,passing,finding space and tackling,closing the opposition down and the 1st 10 mins were equal.
The opposition nearly took the lead but for some excellent covering by our right midfielder resulted in a goal line clearance.
A fine move down the right starting with a good goalkick to our central midfielder who beat 2 players and crossed the ball right where our striker had taken up a good position and for harder contact we appeared to score but the ball didn't cross the line.
We took the lead with some good build up play between the midfield and striker which resulted in our central midfielder beating 2 players and from a tight angle shooting hard and low into the corner.
The opposition were very strong in all depts particularly in attack and a well taken move resulted in a good shot and equaliser.
The 2nd half was end to end with both teams having chances but in the last ten minutes we looked tired and but for some last ditch defending and throughout the game some excellent goalkeeping the scores remained level, until with five minutes to go we got caught on the break and an excellent top corner shot meant we were unluckily behind.
The boys overall played well against a very good team who have been together / played in the league last year aswell so the boys should be very proud of themselves.
- Sunday 10th February 2008 - Benfleet Villa Tigers (3) Vs Beech United Lions (8)
The boys started rather slowly and the 1st 10 minutes were quite even both teams had a couple of chances to score.
What was so good to see were the boys looking up before they pass it,calling,finding space and closing the opposition down.
Once the 1st goal went in the boys obviously got encouragement from this and then played the best 15 minutes ever.
Our goalkeeper was excellent with safe hands , good saves,his kicking was accurate,powerful and quick turning defence into attack immediately which resulted in 3 or 4 goal opportunities which our forwards scored each time .The same for the defence who were solid again to midfield and midfield were hard working as ever helping the attack and defence.
Overall it was a brilliant team 1st half, with an 8-1 half time lead.
A change to the defence and a couple of players playing out of position (to see how they'd perform in a new position) resulted in us not being as strong in defence or attack and so the opposition scored 2 well taken goals and so a couple of players were put back into their normal positions half way through the half, which resulted in us playing better and creating more chances.
Most of the boys lasted the whole match for fitness and so the longer training is helping.
Well done again boys.
- Sunday 3rd February 2008 - Beech United Lions (6) Vs Catholic United Pumas (0)
A very enjoyable saturday training session where we worked on dribbling with the ball and looking up where you team mates are before passing the ball, calling and finding space.These then worked really well in the match which was good to see the boys learning /remembering.
We had good support and the boys after a slow start started to play some good football,even with a strong wind.
We defended well and our keeper only had a few saves to make in the 1st half, the midfield were strong and some were fitter than they had been all season which showed in their play.
At half time we were 3 - 0 up.
We looked strong /fitter than usual in the 2nd half and had plenty of chances to increase the score by more than the final 6-0 What was so encouraging is the boys are thinking for themselves and playing good football week in week out as a team rather than letting 1 or 2 people do it all in some early season games.
Well done
- Sunday 27th January 2008 - Beech United Lions (2) Vs Hawkwell Athletic (3)
The guys trained really hard on 26/1.
Unfortunately from the 1st attack within the 1st minute resulted in a corner and we scored an own goal. However the boys heads did not drop and they battled away against a very good passing team and matched the oppositon for passing,finding space and both teams created a few very good chances and our keeper made a few very good saves and later we were rewarded with a penalty, excellently despatched.This encouraged the boys and a fine 4-5 pass move resulted in us hitting the post . We found ourselves 2-1 down at half time as a clearance fell to their midfielder on the edge of the goalkeeping area and a low,hard shot seemed to go through a few players and our goalkeeper was unsighted.
The boys were encouraged at half time and this seemed to lift them and both teams continued at they had finished the 1st half, it was end to end. A fine 4 player move starting with one of many excellent kicks from our goalkeeper going to our striker on the half way line who controlled a very high bounce and was under pressure by a defender,but our striker slide tackled the defender and passed it to our right midfielder who beat 1 player and crossed the ball over to our centre midfielder who took the ball to the sideline and crossed it to the back post where our striker was waiting who slotted the ball home for 2-2.What an excellent piece of football.
Our defence were excellent, solid tackling, staying goalside of some very good attackers and our midfield were strong in the tackle and tracked back to help the defence and I thought we were going to win.
However a great,powerful shot found us trailing again, but all credit to our boys as their heads did not drop they kept going and we had about 6 shots on target but for some very good defending by the league leaders they managed to hold on.
Well done boys you did not give up, you played very good football and the improved fitness was there to see.
- Sunday 20th January 2008 - Ashingdon Youth Pumas (P) Vs Beech United Lions (P)
Match Cancelled
- Sunday 13th January 2008 - Beech United Lions (C) Vs Hawkwell Athletic (C)
Match Cancelled
- Sunday 6th January 2008 - Hamlet Court Tigers (?) Vs Beech United Lions (?)
After 2 weeks off, the boys as expected struggled in training with their fitness and seemed to forget a few of the things they had learnt previously and it showed in the match because there was hardly any calling, finding space, keeping the ball, we gave the ball away too easily because they were not looking where they were passing it. They made it harder for themselves as they then had to try and recover the ball and so work much harder than was necessary.
The other team seemed to get to the ball first and we created a few chances in the 1st half and were fortunate with a deflected shot own goal to "lift" the boys heads half way through the 1st half.
The last 10 mins of the 1st half saw an improvement in the passing, but the fitness levels just weren't there and some players looked tired, but we managed to score a second goal.
In the 2nd half the boys were on top overall ,but were understandably too tired and we seemed to have trouble controlling the ball, making runs into space.
A 3rd goal came thanks to an individual piece of skill but we could of doubled the score but for some "tired" finishing.
- Sunday 16th December 2007 - Beech United Lions (8) Vs Southend Manor (0)
The boys trained really well saturday and practised again how to attack and defend corners aswell as multiple passing through finding space and calling,helping each other and play as a team, for sundays match.
The boys lost 2-1 to the opposition before who were also above us in the league and so the boys were determined to do well.
The first 10 minutes were quite even with both sides having a few attacks and our keeper made a couple of good saves and showed solid handling and kicking.The boys gradually wore the opposition down and played some excellent football - finding space,calling,tackling, the midfield when occasionally called upon were all tracking back to help the defense and so thereafter we just kept attaching for the last 15 minutes resulting in 3 well taken goals and hitting the crossbar with an excellent volley from a great team attack.
At half time the boys were told "to keep it tight in defence and midfield and not all try to score" and the boys mainly kept there positions and even covered for each other if a defender or midfielder went forward without being reminded constantly.
Every time we went forward we created a goal attempt and the "team" football was outstanding, the 5 2nd half goals comprised of a couple of team goals, some excellent individual play from both our centre midfielder and our striker - who as asked followed up every shot and were alert at corners - the defense were solid and organised and I don't think our keeper had to make a save in the 2nd half.
The boys played as a team and brought there hard work from training in to the match which was so encouraging.
Well done every single player you were all very good footballers today and we hope you enjoyed the match as we did watching.
- Sunday 9th December 2007 - Forest Glade Leopards (0) Vs Beech United Lions (7)
The boys started slowly and barely passed or called and were 2nd to the ball, however for some individual skill / 3 well taken goals we found ourselves 3 up after 15 mins and then a very acurate/powerful corner found the keeper putting into his own net and so we were 4 nil ahead at half time.
A half time talk about basics and effort seemed to make the boys more focused and they totally dominated the 2nd half, calling,finding space,making several passes and creating "team" efforts on goal rather than just watching an individual do it all.
Again from an excellent corner our striker hit it 1st time on the egde of the 6 yard line and left the keeper no chance, again we had an excellent piece of individual skill from our centre midfielder who ran from inside our own half beating 3 players and then slotting the ball home low and hard into the corner.Even our usual goalkeeper who played on pitch the 2nd half, when he was not on the floor slide tackling managed to score a very well made goal for him by our striker who unselfishly set him up.
The boys must concentrate more and work hard all / every game and play as a team.>br>
I hope they are enjoying it as much as the management and supporters are.
- Sunday 2nd December 2007 - Berry Boys Lions (8) Vs Beech United Lions (2)
Awaiting Details
- Sunday 25th November 2007 - Beech United Lions (2) Vs Leigh Rockets Tigers (2)
The boys again passed well,found space, but calling only happened for a few moments after they were reminded by the management many times and then they seem to forget to do it - we need to improve on this.
We created a no. of good shooting chances and there goalkeeper continued from last week by saving everything.
We had practised short / quick corners in training the day before and the boys used this to good effect a few times.
Our goalkeeper was much the quieter in the 1st half but made 1 excellent save by pushing a shot destined for the top corner over the crossbar and his goalkicks with power and accuracy are improving all the time.
The first half somehow finished 0-0.
The 2nd half continued the same and halfway through we were caught on the break and a fine cross and good finish meant we were 1 nil down.
This I'm pleased to say, gave the boys added incentive and they equalized straight away with a good piece of individual skill to beat two players and pass the ball round the last defender for our striker to run onto and make it look easy to "shoot low and hard into the corner" (as instructed many times by the management) with the goalkeeper having no chance.
The boys later recd a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, which was executed with such accuracy and power , curling the ball up and over a 3 man wall into the top corner and the goalkeeper didn't move.
What was so encouraging was the boys didn't drop their heads, they took control of the game and got their just reward by leading 2-1.
However with 10 seconds to go we were caught on the break and they equilized.
Unlucky guys you deserved to win.
- Sunday 18th November 2007 - Leigh Rockets Tigers (0) Vs Beech United Lions (1)
You could see all the players were up for the match and as usual right from the off the boys looked up where their team mates were before passing, we found/ created space, the calling was better (but can be improved) we had much more ball possession and started attacks from the defence to midfield to the strikers.
We practised in training throw ons and passing back to the thrower, then the thrower passing the ball down the line to our midfield runner who would then cross the ball and the boys introduced this into the match and it worked very well and we had at least 8 corners and created many good scoring chances and but for some excellent opposition goalkeeping we couldn't get that 1st goal. The opposition caught us a couple of times on the break and for some solid defending and considering he was very cold our goalkeeper kept concentrating and made 2 very good saves, meaning the match was goalless at half time.
After the half time team talk, The boys ran out with so much enthusiam, it was great to see,believing they could score and continued as they had finished the 1st half in control.The boys did not drop their heads they just kept attacking and eventually, fully deserved (as demonstrated by the very loud cheer by the excellent cold supporters) they scored with 5 mins to go.
This gave ALL the boys even more confidence and they ALL attached for a 2nd goal, but were fortunate they didn't throw away their lead as the opposition had a great chance to equilise, but our keeper again make an excellent save,pushing the shot onto the post, but overall the boys were unlucky to only win 1-0 Everybody commented how well the boys played as a team.
- Sunday 11th November 2007 - Beech United Lions (9) Vs Forest Glade (2)
The boys found themselves 1 nil down straight from the kick off and we immediately responded by going up the other end and equalising then the exact same thing happened again so within 5 mins it was 2-2.
This seemed to "wake the boys up" and they started playing football and totally dominated with some excellent football, particularly a well worked move involving a goal kick to us , wide to our left midfielder who passed to our centre midfielder who beat 2 players and top it wide to the right and made a pin point cross to our centre forward who had sprinted unmarked to the centre of the goal with an excellent 1 touch finish, rounding the move off.Excellent team play.
Therafter the goals kept coming with a good team display as we were solid in defence, good tackling in midfield but an excellent display from our centre midfielder who was untouchable by the opposition and scored 7 great goals.Our striker was also on very good form with 2 very well taken goals.
This week the boys didn't look tired in the 2nd half, they kept going and the effort put in showed in the result.Well done boys.
- Sunday 4th November 2007 - Beech United Lions (2) Vs Leigh Rockets (1) - 1st Round Cup
The boys worked really,really hard in training on their fitness and passing,finding space and it paid off.
We told them to play right from the start and they were excellent,passing ,calling,finding space and we were in total control scoring a well worked "team"move with an excellent finish from out top scorer.The 2nd goal involved as cool as you like - beating a couple of players outside the goalie's area and slotting home a great shot low and hard in the corner without the goalkeeper moving.A third goal looked likely but for a brilliant clearance off the line and a couple of good saves from their goalkeeper the boys came in at half time really enjoying it and were duly praised.
The 2nd half resulted in a couple of substitutes with a couple of players playing out of position,which showed in our play but the boys kept going and at one point when they opposition broke deep into our half,for the 1st time without any management "encouragement" we had 4 players sprinting back to help defend our lead, a few weeks ago the boys would of been too tired to do this.
The opposition did score from a long goal kick where the bounce caught the boys out halfway through the 2nd half,but what was also encouraging is that unlike previously the boys heads have gone down, they kept going and were unlucky not to score again as we had some excellent long range shooting.
The boys looked tired in the last 10 mins and for some excellent allround goalkeeping we held onto the lead, thanks to our goalkeeper.
- Sunday 28th October 2007 - Southend Manor (2) Vs Beech United Lions (1)
The boys played well in the 1st half considering the wind and rain and spent a lot of time in the oppostion half and we created quite a no. of scoring opportunities but for some good goalkeeping / defending by the oppostion the half time score of 1 nil to us should of been more, the goal we did score was a very good individual goal by beating 3 players and from a very tight angle slotting the ball home.
In the 2nd half the boys continued for 15 mins on top like the 1st half but the 2nd goal just didn't come and eventually with a long ball over the top and the bounce going over our last defender their striker took their 1st real chance to level the score.
The boys were rightly stunned but they kept their heads up this time and had a bit more urgency about them to find the winner, unfortunately we got caught on the break with 2 mins to go and being outnumbered we found ourselves behind.
Unlucky boys you deserved to win. Keep up the good football.
- Sunday 21st October 2007 - Beech United Lions (7) Vs Hamlet Court Tigers (1)
The boys trained very hard on saturday and we tried to improve on a few things from last sundays loss.
Right from the start the boys were interested in playing football and passed well, found space and there were a few more players calling all an improvement from last sunday's game.Our throw-ons and goal kicks and corners were also better and with some excellent shooting and follow ups for rebounds we found ourselves 4-0 up at half time.
The boys were really enjoying it and it showed in their play. During the first 10 mins of the 2nd half the boys kept going and
score twice more and with all the excitement/enjoyment we suddenly had 3 strikers as the midfield were enjoying shooting so much, they forgot? or their legs did? to come back and help the defence and so we found ourselves for the next 10 mins under pressure , but eventually they remembered their positions and played again as a team for the last 5 mins.
With 2 excellent separate hat tricks and an excellent individual goal by our left midfielder by beating 3 players, the boys proved to themselves they can play very good football even when other players are missing.
- Sunday 14th October 2007 - Hawkwell Athletic (2) Vs Beech United Lions (0)
Unfortunately the boys didn't play as a team, there was hardly any passing,calling,finding space, the other team did all this and had much more ball possession and they were quicker to the ball than us.We forgot all the basics, some players seemed happy to watch and just relied on 1 or 2 of our players hopefully beating 3 or 4 players and scoring.
It was apparent the boys heads' dropped no matter how much "good"
encouragement the supporters (we have had brilliant support) and management gave.
It just wasn't our day, I'm sure the boys can improve with some help at training and enjoy the next match.
- Sunday 7th October 2007 - Beech United Lions Vs Ashingdon Youth
The boys started well and were calling, finding space and passing well and so created a few chances and midway through the 1st half took the lead with a three player attach resulting in a fine shot deflected into the goal.
As it was cooler the boys didn't stopped running which was good to see and they've started to organise themselves automatically when the opposition have a corner or freekick.Also at training we've been practising throw-ons and ball control and headers
and the improvement showed in the game.
In the 2nd half the boys started well again and 2 well taken goals and a penalty meant we had our 1st hat trick taker- keeping the boys top of the league.
Well done boys - especially as a few of them had to play out of their normal positions.
- Sunday 30th September 2007 - Benfleet Villa Lions (1) Vs Beech United Lions (2)
The boys took quite a bit of early pressure and this seemed to finally get them going.Once we started to pass and move and find space and beat players we created a few opportunities which resulted in a fine individual goal by picking the ball up just inside the opposition's half and by beating 3 players and drilling a low shot down the middle of the goal under the keeper.
2 mins later and another piece of excellent play by beating 2 players just inside the box and a shot low into the corner leaving the goalkeeper no chance making it 2-0 and 2 goals for the same player.
The rest of the half was well balanced with both teams going close to scoring again.
During the 2nd half benfleet had a lot of the possession and had quite a few corners and quite a no. of shots, with our goalkeeper making a no. of fine saves and some excellent punches at corners and excellent handling from both high and low shots, keeping us in the game.
Finally benfleet scored but this seemed to make the guys more determined not to lose as they wanted to win and hopefully be top of the league, so the guys dug deep and ran "their socks" off (with some friendly! encouragement from me the manager) and managed to hold on.Unfortunately if was only down to fitness that benfleet dominated so much in the 2nd half and so the guys are all now looking forward to a hard but enjoyable training session on saturday!!
Overall the boys should be very proud of themselves as are all their families and the management team - Joe and Paul.
- Sunday 16th September 2007 - Catholic United (1) Vs Beech United Lions (4)
Right from the start all players showed what they had learnt in training - calling to each other, finding space, looking up where our players were and passing to each other at one point we passed it 9 times from one end to the other without the other team coming close to getting the ball and this move nearly resulted in a goal!
We created quite a no. of goal scoring opportunities in the 1st half, but for their goalkeeper making a no. of fine saves, one kicked off the line, another hit the post - it was only a matter of time before we scored.
However Catholic had a couple of 1st half chances to score and for a bit of slack marking, we found ourselves 1 nil down.
The boys did not drop their heads or moan at each other, but instead went back up the other end and scored right away.
During the 2nd half the boys continued where they had left off, but grew in confidence and subsequently our final 3 goals(but for some more fine goalkeeping would of been more goals) were just reward for all their hard work.
Goal Scorers: A. Jeremiah (2) M. Egan (2)
Well done The Lions you should be very proud of yourselves.
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