Saturday1st September - Friendly tournament.

Although we only conceded 3 goals in the 4 games we played, the first 3 performances were fairly poor with little or no passing, non existent tackling and no attacking intent. However, these performances pale into insignificance when you consider the fourth, against the Tigers. This was a game that the majority considered to be a 'no brainer' win for the A side but the result was very different, with the Tigers restriced to a couple of long range shots and only one or two real scoring opportunities.

Where, in the previous games, our midfield had been anonymous, in this one we got stuck in for the full duration. Matt especially was a player transformed as he tackled and chased throughout. Our goal came after a nice passing move on the left starting with Sam, though Dylan and onto Matt who picked up a loose ball, he drove on into the box and was upended by the deparate defender for a certain penalty. Josh stepped up and calmly side footed the ball into the corner of the goal. A period of stout defending was necessary after the goal and we were not dissapointed as our defenders stood firm until the end of the game.

Overall, our defencive work was fairly good throughout the day, bourne out by our low goals against but our midfield really struggled to get involved in the first 3 games and we struggled to create any meaningful attacks either, but this was overshadowed by the result of the last game. Well done boys - a result to remember.

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Wednesday 5th September - Friendly - Maldon town 2 - 3 Heybridge Lions

A friendly against Maldon which was an archetypal 'game of two halves'. The first half we were kicking up the steep slope with the wind against us and we struggled to create too much going forward as, although we played a number of good balls over and through their defence, the slope slowed the attack enough for
Maldon's big defenders to clear the danger. Maldon did pressure our goal and only a combination of some alert goalkeeping from Ellis and a fairly good defensive line prevented them scoring although we did finally concede two goals after defensive errors.
The second half was a different story, playing with the slope, we dominated completely and should have scored a hatful of goals but opportunity after opportunity was squandered. Eventually, Matt managed to bundle the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble and open our account. The manager then
switched wingers and two cracking strikes from Jake Melia with his left foot saw us take the lead. We were comfortably in control up until the last minute when our keeper inexplicably picked up the ball outside his box under no pressure and a free kick ensued. The ball was hammered towards the roof
of our net but Ellis atoned for his error of judgment with a fine save and the ball was bundled clear. The final whistle followed shortly after.

A good result but, in the league we are playing this season, we cannot afford to make any errors and we must be more competitive in midfield if we are to avoid major beatings.

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Sunday 9th September - Hatfield Peveral 5 - 1 Heybridge Lions

Our first taste of football at this level demonstrated that we have a lot to learn to become competative. Hatfield were quicker, stronger, more focussed and mentally sharper than us which meant we were always second to the ball and hence the scoreline. That said, our lads worked very hard and didn't give up, which was pleasing. Our one goal came in the first half when Robbie knocked a freekick over the defenders and Josh managed to poke the ball home apart from this effort we didn't trouble their keeper unduly.

We must learn to think and react quicker and when we have time on the ball we must use it better but, as long as we continue to try in the way we did today, the management and supporters will be proud, no matter what the results turn out to be.

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Sunday 16th September - Silver End 9 - 1 Heybridge Lions

Another lesson in division one football saw us struggling in every department in comparison to Silver End. We were second to most things and couldn't cope with their pace and control. Physically, we were 'bullied' by even their smaller players easily knocking us off the ball and getting the advantage . We still did not pass the ball effectively and the skill and flair we demonstrate in training were non-existent, this is probably due to the intimidating level we are now playing at but, if we are to develop, we must start to use the basic skills.

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Sunday 23rd September - Heybridge Lions 1 - 8 Burnham Ramblers

Further proof that this league is a step too far for our boys. Lets hope we don't loose too many players before next season.

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Sunday 7th October - Heybridge Lions 0 - 3 Maldon Town Pumas

This game saw us tinker with our defensive organisation and along with some excellent keeping from Ellis we managed to keep the score respectable. We asked for some real effort this week and were rewarded with our best performance of the season with every player giving their all for the cause. Our back four were under serious pressure for the entire game but never gave up, our midfield battled tirelessly and our forwards chased lost causes all day and this resulted in an excellent team performance. Although Maldon were in a different class to us in the technical aspects of the game, we matched them for desire and work rate and this showed in the result, compared to previous outings this season.

As defence was the order of the day, special mentions go to Jake Melia who was fantastic at the back, making many last ditch tackles preventing further scoring.

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Sunday 14th October - Burnham Ramblers 3 - 1 Heybridge Lions

Another game that although the score was not in our favour, the performance of the team was excellent. Burham's first goal was a fluke which hit a divot and bounced right over the keeper who had no chance and this was the only scoring in the first half. Throughout the half we were forced to defend almost constantly but the effort demonstrated was admirable and along with a number of fine saves by Ellis we kept Burnham at bay. In the second half we were kicking up the hill but our resolve did not buckle and we were rewarded with a breakaway goal superbly finished by Levi. Their second came after a period of Burnham pressure. The ball was half cleared from our goalmouth but it fell to a Burham player who was given time to pick his spot and he fired an unsaveable shot home. The third followed soon afterwards from another goalmouth scramble when the ball was bundled over the line. Throught this half too, the defending was excellent and Ellis produced more superb saves.

This was another positive performance with many players giving their all for the cause but 2 players stood out today, firstly Levi who battled tirelessly in midfield and scored a great goal and secondly, Josh who was brilliant in central defence, his reading of the game enabled him to be in the right place at the right time more often than not.

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Sunday 28th October - Heybridge Lions 0 - 7 Maldon Town

A poor performance overall by the team compared to our efforts last time we played Maldon and our overworked defence and goalie took another battering. Although we packed midfield with five players we were second to most things and seemed to lack the drive to compete. This allowed Maldon to push onto our defenders on a regular basis leading to some lucky goals and some well constructed efforts. On the few occasions we did get control of the ball our inability to pass the ball simply became obvious and more often than not, possession was given away cheaply an no efforts were made to atone.

Two players stood out today, Josh as sweeper read the game well and made more good decisions than bad ones and Sam, who's level of effort throughout the game demonstrated that although we were loosing, it was no reason to give up. If we could spread this ethic to more of the team our performances would improve significantly.

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Sunday 4th November - Danbury Juniors 4 - 0 Heybridge Lions

This was one of the few chances we had to play a team at a comparable level to ourselves but we did not do ourselves any justice what so ever. The lack of desire and passion was obvious throughout the team apart form the odd exception as we failed to tackle, challenge or pressurise anywhere on the pitch. On the few occasions we got possession of the ball we failed to make even the simplest of passes, often preferring to take on opposition and ultimately loosing the ball. We also tended to crowd into the centre of the pitch rather than utilising the spaces on the wings and this usually ended up with us being beaten off the ball or a misplaced pass to the opposition.

This performance was simply not good enough and we must improve our levels of effort and desire otherwise we have no chance at any level and need to take up another sport.

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Sunday 11th November - Runwell 8 - 0 Heybridge Lions

We were four players short for this game and only started with 10 men, this was exacerbated when we went down to nine early in the piece through injury. Although the numerical advantage was significant we played some neat football at times and created a few chances. We then went down to 8 players as another injury reduced our number and at this point we just did not have enough bodies to compete effectively, leading to Runwell's total domination of the game.

The majority of the players who actually turned up, put in a lot of effort and, if we were at full strength, would have given this team a good game.

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Sunday 2nd December - Torquespeed 15 - 2 Heybridge Lions

On a wet and windy morning with only had 10 men again we played one of the top teams and, for the first 15 mins, we held our own but our resolved finally cracked and we started leaking goals. We did manage to score two goals ourselves the first was an excellently crafted goal in which Billy and Matt exchanged passes and billy blasted the ball home. The second was created after a fine turn and pass from Sam in midfield splitting the defenders and causing panic in their goalmouth and an own goal ensued. Towards the end of the game we were exhausted and Torquespeed ran through us at will to score 7 goals on the final 10 minutes. In the end the score reflected the difference between ourselves and the top teams and was exacerbated by a lack of players but, the majority who did make the effort, tried really hard and should be commended for it.

Special mentions this week go to Ellis in goal who made a number of stunning saves and Billy, who had his best game in a Heybridge shirt.

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