Lions kick off their cup campaign against a team who they know all so well from pre-season, Uppermill JFC. 

Lions have had a fair few running's against Uppermill with the last game being a friendly ending in a 6-4 win for Uppermill. Lets see how this one turns out.

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Lions start the game unchanged to last weeks win against Juno, with Freddie in goal, Miller and Alex make up the back 2, Ronny plays over on the left, Alfie on the right, Theo H upfront with Keaton sat just in behind. Layton W returns this week but he waits eagerly on the bench hoping to be introduced shortly. 

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Uppermill start the game on top with many chances, but Lions looking really compact and organised, minimizing any real threats which Uppermill caused. 

Lions struggled to break out of their own half in all honesty, any time they did the attacks were easily snuffed out and broken down which immediately pegged Lions back in their own half throughout the remainder of the first half. 

10 minutes into the game the deadlock was finally broken by Uppermill, a goal very much against the run of play but Hey with Lions remained resilient and immediately wanted to kick back on. Again any chance that came Lions way was easily broken down and turned back into another Uppermill attack, Freddie, Miller and Alex had to remain on their toes to keep the score at 1-0. 

 

Lions go in at half time, certainly down but not out, the score remains 1-0 but this game remained very much alive, a couple of changes in shape and personnel at the break Keaton pushes right up top, told to sit on the Uppermill box, Theo E is introduced, plays just in behind Keaton, Layton W moves over to the left, Alfie remaining on the right, Leighton the terrier comes on for Miller at the back, Theo H drops back to solid up the defense and Freddie remains in goal, the boys are basically told to stop sitting back and to get in the faces of Uppermill. 

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Second half kicks off and Lions looking much better going forward now, chances falling to Keaton but in fairness he looks a little isolated up top on his own as his Lions team fail to get up the pitch with him whenever the ball breaks. 

Inevitably chances were always going to fall to Uppermill in the second half with Lions attacking change in shape but Theo H remained a force at the back clearing any signs of danger immediately. Freddie also remained influential as again he was tested on occasions but he was determined not to let Lions go further behind. 

The story was very much the same in the second half, it was "you have ago, we have ago" Ronny was reintroduced to add some more pace but Uppermill remained stubborn and were resolute not to let their lead slip. 

Finally the second goal does come, Lions caught too far up the pitch leaves Freddie with a 1 v 1 scenario but on this occasion the ball hammered home pretty much making it game over. 

Not long after came another chance, this time from a corner ball, in swinger, not cleared, Uppermill shoot! clawed away by Freddie, Lions pegged right in and don't close the ball leaves Uppermill with another chance, which this time is hammered home and most certainly is curtains for Lions.

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Lions intent to carry on and not let their heads drop continue to push and have a final go to try grab some sort of consolation goal, the ball thumped forward from Theo H, Keaton picks the ball up and skips past the Uppermill defense, forces a save from the Uppermill goalkeeper, but is only parried away to Ronny who hits one, blocked by a defender and then scrambled away by Uppermill.

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The full time whistle blows 3-0 final score, to anyone who watched the game it was absolutely clear that Uppermill are ahead in terms of development but the scoreline absolutely flattered them, reasons to be cheerful for Lions, it was very much a game they expected to lose in fairness, similar to a Oldham vs Man Utd scenario in terms of divisional placements, but Lions walk home with heads held high, first half Lions are brilliant and snuffed out many attacking threats, not amazing on the break but it changed second half. Lions conceding a 1 v 1 scenario and then a second or third ball from a corner.

 

Some wonderful commitment, grit and determination from all of the Lions players, Freddie was sensational today, he had to remain on his toes and saved his team on numerous occasions and very unlucky to be on the losing side with the performance he showed today. 

Alex has really settled in to this defensive role and especially in the first half cleared any signs of danger. Miller again fantastic, much more consistent this season, i don't think he has had a bad game so far this season and again similar to Freddie he can feel a little disappointing to be on the losing team with a performance like that. Ronny was absolutely terrific, especially in that second half, he threw himself at the ball on numerous occasions and looked a threat going forward, he has really grown into this team and its great to see. 

Theo Edgehill has been great, he will literally give you a million% and is improving every week, hes growing as a footballer and will continue to do so over the course of the season. Leighton S the terrier played at the back today and looked comfortable sat with Theo H, again he is learning his trade and will always give you a million % when he steps on the field. He hasn't really been given the same position this season and has been a bit all over the place, but it will come as he gets used to the adaption of 7 a side. 

Alfie was unfortunate today, he picked up a little bit of a knock but had a real solid game, he has really grown as an individual so far this season and hasn't put a foot wrong, he is a constant threat down the right and i imagine will do wonders this season. 

Layton W again has been given a number of positions so is trying to find his way of adapting to 7 a side, when he plays in his familiar role of striker he will produce great things but he has often been asked to play left wing, defense or on the right, he will only continue to improve as a footballer the more he is utilized in other positions.

Keaton is Keaton and again absolutely terrific today, he had chances to score and on another day probably could have got 3, but its very difficult playing up there on your own and he did look isolated at times, but nether less he was still terrific and tried his heart out today. 

Theo H steals Man of the Match, i don't think anybody could deny him of that, he was solid all afternoon, especially in the second half when he pretty much single handedly defended on his own, hes going to be a big player this season. 

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Thats all from me 3-0 loss but onwards and upwards to next week when we take on Moston Brook. 

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