Lions Thrash NLO One Nil

MATCH REPORT NLO 0 – 1 Dutch Lions
by Peter Clark

The Lions continued their post Christmas winning streak, making it four on the bounce with a narrow away win over NLO.

In truth, the winning margin should have been far greater, but the NLO keeper was in inspired form, making at least half a dozen saves from one-on-one situations. However, three points are three points, and the climb up the table continues.

The Lions made one change from their last match, with Ahmed dropping back into midfield to replace the unavailable Julian, and Jabba partnering Paulo up front.

The Lions started off positively, with Pedro and Ahmed soon in control in midfield, while Timid, Jabba and Paulo’s movement was obviously going to pose the somewhat ponderous NLO defence a few problems. Several chances went begging, while the referee pulled back Timid for a free kick when he was right through, with no advantage allowed.NLO threatened sporadically, without threatening Aaron, whose concentration proved spot on when he made a magnificent save from a free kick in NLO’s only shot on target in the first half.

All the pressure and the football was from the Lions though, and they were duly rewarded when Paulo scored. Despite the neat football, this goal was strictly route 1. A long free kick from Grant was allowed to run through to the alert Paulo, who calmly tucked the ball past the keeper into the onion bag.

Further chances went begging, and the Lions were denied a clear cut penalty when Paulo again latched onto Peter’s searching fifty yard pass to race clear. In the act of shooting, his heels here kicked, and unbelievably, the ref waved play on.

Turning round at 1-0, NLO came more into the game. Their right winger began to find a bit of space and their midfield started to win a few challenges. Despite this, chances still came and went at the other end, with the NLO keeper making numerous blocks and saves, including one point-blank effort from Ahmed. Taila and Yasser came on for Timid and Jabba as the Lions reasserted themselves, and with numerous stoppages for injuries to NLO players, the game drew to a stuttering close without further goals.

So, nothing spectacular, and it should have been more than 1-0, but still a good solid performance.

Aaron exuded his usual confidence from the goal, while Ollie and Grant were imperious in the middle of defence, and Noel’s pace and skill proved again to be too much for the opposition’s right wing. Good to see another clean sheet.

Hamzeh worked the right wing, skinning their right back n a couple of occasions, while Pedro and Ahmed were working as hard at the end as the beginning.

For once, Timid found himself up against a full back that matched him for pace, yet still caused the opposition’s defence all sort of problems. Up front, Jabba and Paulo worked the line, and Paulo’s ability to get shots on target means he will score a good few more goals before the end of the season.

The top half of the table beckons, with fourth place at least surely now a realistic target.