Finally we return to action after the Christmas break and the midway point of Hey with Lions debut season. 

Many minced pies and chocolates consumed by the boys i would think, so could they burn off that Christmas pud in their first game back!

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Freddie starts in goal, familiarity in defense now with Miller and Alfie, Keaton over on the left, whilst Ronny deputizes the right, Theo H and Leighton S start alongside each other up top. 

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We kick off with Lions playing from right to left and immediately taking possession into the Haughton half, Keaton starting at electric pace down that left hand side as he dribbles in and out of a couple of defenders only to fire a shot just over the bar. 

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Haughton green break the deadlock though as the Lions defense at 6s and 7s as the ball is fired low into the bottom right hand corner for 0-1. 

Lions finally get their act together as Keaton again fires down the left hand side, combining with Alfie, Fires a shot low past the Haughton keeper for 1-1. 

Lions looking really in the mood now and the most likely team to score, some good combinations of passing and a few missed opportunities are the only thing separating these sides, with Haughton Green's Keeper the busier of the two. 

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Finally Lions find themselves in front after another piece of brilliance from that man Keaton, who else? this time from a corner ball, as Ronny sends it in, Haughton half clear but only to Keaton who dances his way passed a couple of defenders to hammer into the top left corner. 2-1 Lions lead as they walk in at half time. 

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Second half starts very much the same as the first half finished, and that was with Lions well on top, not looking likely to concede. Keaton, Alfie and Leighton S all go close to giving Lions the 2 goal cushion only to be denied by some excellent goalkeeping and missed opportunities. 

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Approaching the final 10 minutes of the game now, Lions quite happy to shut up shop and hope to hang on in there for the win as they sit nice and deep. This consequently draws pressure onto them making it a very long 10 minutes indeed, Haughton squander a few opportunities and some great keeping from Freddie to keep the lead in tact. 

Full time approaching now and it really is backs up against the wall for Lions as they try to hold out, Unfortunately they cant though as Haughton green claw their way back into it, that really is a dagger to the heart for Lions. 

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Well penalty shoot out it is then, both teams take 3 penalties but are only able to use players that are currently on the pitch as the full time whistle blew. For Lions its Layton W first, Theo H second, Keaton third. Here we go....

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Lions first up, Layton stands over it..... GOAL! fired straight down the middle with power. Lions have the advantage.

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Haughton next.... Goal fired into the top right with power, excellent penalty 1-1

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Theo H next for Lions... gives the keeper the eyes..... GOAL! fired low and hard into the bottom left 2-1 Lions.

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Haughton now, hoping to level up.... GOAL fired into the top right again leaving Freddie now chance.

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Keaton now... MISSED! Keaton runs up confidently aiming for the bottom left corner, keeper goes the right way but the shot comes back off the post. So unlucky!

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Haughton Green now with a chance to win it... GOAL! Oh so close Freddie gets his hands to that one but the power takes it in as the shot is hit with venom, stings the hands of Freddie and is sent into the roof of the net off Freddie's gloves. 

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It's game over Lions are out, really unlucky you have to say, they wasn't at their best today but they might have felt they did enough to win. It brings down curtains on their cup run, but they can hold their heads high and know that they lost today on pens which we all know is a lottery. 

Keaton scoops man of the match, well deserved, he scored 2 goals and was so unlucky at the end with the penalty.

2-2 final score, 2-3 loss on penalties.

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