🏆🦁 Trophy Event – A Big Step Forward for the Lions 🦁🏆

Today marked the start of our new Trophy Event and another fantastic opportunity for our U11 Lions to test themselves, put their training into practice and continue developing together as a team. 🧡🖤

With two games on the schedule, the boys had another chance to experience different challenges and, as coaches, it was really encouraging to see how they responded when things didn’t initially go their way.

⚽ Game 1 – Hednesford

Our opening game was against a very strong Hednesford side, and unfortunately we were slow out of the blocks.

Our passing wasn’t quite at the level we’ve been working towards in training and we struggled to find the rhythm and flow that we’ve been developing over recent weeks.

We weren’t moving the ball as quickly as we’d like, and at times we made things difficult for ourselves by not quite making the right decisions.

But there was one thing that stood out.

The heads didn’t drop.

Even when the game became difficult, the boys continued to work, continued to battle and continued to support each other right until the final whistle.

The result wasn’t what we wanted, but these are exactly the types of games that can help young players learn.

We regrouped, talked about what we could improve and prepared ourselves for the second game.

And what came next was a completely different performance.

⚽ Game 2 – Hamstead

What a response from the Lions. 👏🦁

From the start, the team looked much more awake, much more reactive and far more confident on the ball.

The passing improved, the movement improved and, most importantly, we started seeing the things we’ve been working on in training beginning to transfer onto the pitch.

We looked to pass rather than rush, we looked for teammates and we started to play with much more confidence.

However, we were given another test when Hamstead took the lead.

Once again, though, there were no dropped heads.

Instead, the boys responded exactly how we want them to.

They kept playing.

They kept working.

They kept believing.

We eventually got ourselves back into the game before continuing to push forward and showing some excellent football.

The boys continued to create opportunities and showed great determination to keep going when the game became more difficult towards the end.

Hamstead managed to pull one back late on, creating a nervy finish, but the Lions stayed composed, defended brilliantly and battled for each other until the final whistle.

They saw the game out and secured all three points. 🦁💪🔥

⚽ Goals

Lorenzo ⚽
Arthur ⚽
Reece ⚽

Three excellent contributions from the boys, but the goals were made possible by the work of the whole team.

🏆 Manager’s Player of the Match – Oliver F

A really impressive performance from Oliver.

He worked hard throughout, showed determination and contributed to the team’s performance in both games.

A well-deserved award. 👏🦁

🏆 Parents’ Player of the Match – Arthur

Arthur had an excellent day and deservedly picked up the Parents’ Player of the Match award.

He worked hard for the team, showed plenty of determination and made an important contribution when we needed it.

Well done, Arthur! 👏🧡🖤

💭 Final Thoughts

Today was another massive step forward for this group.

We’re still learning.

We’re still developing.

And, just like the players, the coaches don’t get everything right every time either. There are things we can improve and things we can learn from today.

But that’s exactly what this journey is about.

We’re beginning to see the things we practise at training appearing more regularly during matches. The passing, movement, decision-making and willingness to play as a team are starting to come through.

Most importantly, though, we’re seeing a team that doesn’t give up when things don’t go their way.

That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.

The first game presented a difficult challenge. The second game presented another challenge when we went behind — and on both occasions the boys kept going.

That mentality will be just as important as any footballing ability as these players continue to develop.

Three points on the board, plenty of lessons learned and another exciting weekend ahead in the Trophy Event.

Very proud of you, Lions. 🧡🖤

COME ON LIONS! 🦁🦁