Under 10 Lions Jubilee Celebrations

On Saturday June 2nd 2012, Crofton Saints Lions U10s took part in the Jubilee 77 eleven-a-side football tournament at Seafield Park Stubbington. With no previous competitive experience at eleven-a-sides, and very little practice due to inclement weather, the Lions had entered this tournament with no great expectations.

They successfully negotiated the first four matches of the group stages against Bittern Youth, AFC Portchester (Gold), Jubilee 77 and Widbrook (Gold), without conceding a goal, before meeting a strong and determined Whitley Wanderers in the final match of the group. Whitley needed to beat the Lions by a clear two goals to go through themselves. In the event they only managed to defeat the Lions 1-0 so it was the Lions that went through.

In their semi-final (there were no quarters) the Lions faced Horndean Hawks in a closely contested match which the Lions won 1-0 leaving them to face a strong Widbrook (Gold) in the final. Widbrook took the lead very early in the match leaving the Lions facing an uphill battle. With less than two minutes to go it looked as if the Lions were dead and buried but up popped Kai Sterne with an excellent cross into the box which Harry O’Malley calmly slotted into the back of the net to end the match at 1-1. The Lions were cock-a-hoop understandably. The scores remained level after extra time forcing the match into a penalty decider. In a tense and pulsating shoot out, which went into sudden death, the Lions came out on top 3-2. It was cruel on Widbrook who had played well. It was one of those matches in which somebody, unfortunately, had to loose. This was the Lions third straight win in the post-season tournaments and we are very proud of them all.