Under 10 Lions

Managers: Jake Kirby & Wayne Salisbury

Home Ground:  The Glebe, Dunstable Road, Toddington

Sunday 11th December 2011

AMPTHILL COUGARS (LEAGUE HOME) : 0 - 2 LOST

We're round to playing teams for the second time and this was going to be a tough task against Ampthill who were 3rd in the table. Both teams started well with some good passing moves but we created the first chance from an early corner which we almost got on the end of (more heading practice needed !). The game then got a little scrappy but only because both teams were fighting hard and closing down the space - in all honesty Ampthill were proving the better team and gradually began to get on top. Before too long shots started to rain in but Duncan White started with a man-of-the-match performance and was making some great saves to keep Ampthill out As the game progressed, however, we played deeper and deeper into our half and before long the breakthrough came ; it was going to take something special to beat Duncan White and so it proved as from midfield came a screaming strike which flew into the top corner. We went into the second half one-nil down but the boys kept fighting hard though it was proving difficult to create chances as Ampthill's defence proved strong. Duncan White continued his heroics with a string of saves and we also created a couple of chances - for Ryan Salisbury and Tom Kirby, but on both occasions we couldn't make it count. Ampthill scored a second from a corner and it looked as if there would be no way back but late on Max Perry made a brave run only to have the ball taken from him just as he was about to shoot. A disappointing defeat but the boys did themselves proud and our true form is definitely coming - we will soon be back to our best and teams will then start to see what we can truly do.

Thanks to you all for your help and support.

Sunday 4th December 2011

EASTCOTT STINGRAYS (CUP AWAY) : 3 - 1 WIN

First round of the cup and we were drawn away to Eastcott who are in division 2 ; we were therefore expected to win but football's a funny old game.....

We started well and began passing the ball well with Liam Gray effective on the left wing - Tom Kirby went close with a left foot shot. There followed some concerted pressure but our shooting was not what it should have been and so chances went astray from Tom Kirby and Ryan Salisbury. We were playing well, however, and creating a host of chances : Jamie Hunter went close with a powerful shot, Tom Kirby again saw one saved by the 'keeper - much of the good work in setting chances up still coming from Liam Gray on the left. Some of our passing moves were great to see and again Jamie Hunter went close with a great shot just over the bar and Tom Kirby saw yet another shot saved. Suddenly, with their first break, Eastcott scored - a quick run from the striker and a cool finish past Duncan White in goal. Heads did not go down though and one minute later we were level as Luke Renshaw broke free, crossed the ball and Liam Gray scored. Into the second half and chances continued coming - Rory Nelson-Ashlee passed through to Harry Drummond who went close. Both Connor Williams and Scott Atkinson were looking good at the back and passing the ball out which was good to see ; from one of these starts Connor Williams played a lovely cross into the area which Rory Nelson-Ashlee guided home to make it 2-1. The chances still came and went - Jamie Hunter, Ryan Salisbury and Harry Drummond (3 times !) went close but still we could not find the target. Finally we had another breakthrough as Connor Williams played a lovely through ball to Ryan Salisbury who finished well - 3-1 to Toddington. In the final 10 minutes Tom Kirby went through on 3 or 4 occasions but the 'keeper, who seemed to have something against him (!!) produced save after save to deny him a goal. Finally the game finished and we went in victorious though the Eastcott goalkeeper deserves special mention for keeping the score so low. Off to the training ground to practice our finishing........

Thanks to you all for you excellent support - let's see who we get in the next round.

SCORERS : LIAM GRAY - 1 ; RORY NELSON-ASHLEE - 1 ; RYAN SALISBURY - 1

Sunday 27th November 2011

AFC KEMPSTON (LEAGUE AWAY) : 1 - 1 DRAW

Not even the end of November and already we're playing Kempston for the second time ! The pitch was exposed to the elements and a pretty strong wind meant that conditions were going to be difficult. Unfortunately we did not start well and Kempston's first attack resulted in a goal as they won possession in midfield, passed the ball quickly forward and their striker showed good pace and hit the ball under Duncan White's despairing dive - 2 minutes gone and we're one-nil down. Despite this we started to play the better football of the two teams and were pressing Kempston quite hard - Tom Kirby shot just over the bar from a Ryan Salisbury throw-in and we looked like getting an equaliser. As we pressed forward we kept creating chances - Ryan Salisbury made an excellent turn outside the area and shot just wide and Luke Renshaw followed this up with an equally good effort from the same distance that just drifted wide. We were still not playing as fluently as we can but the pressure was mounting and finally it paid off. Jamie Hunter won the ball in midfield and drove forward and then shot from outside the area - Tom Kirby shaped to flick it in and the 'keeper got in a tangle and in the ball went to make it 1 - 1. Half-time came and went and though we were now playing into the wind we held our own as the second half became a real end-to-end affair with both sides creating chances. Tom Kirby and Liam Gray looked threatening and strung some good passes together and some (occasionally) desperate defending from Connor Williams and Rory Nelson-Ashlee kept Kempston out. Towards the end of the match our attacking play won us a corner and Liam Gray struck a lovely ball in which Ryan Salisbury just failed to make decent contact with - we all had a strong feeling that if we had gone ahead then it would have been our day. As it was the match finished all square and the points were shared ; this was a battling performance from the boys though they are still to find their true form.

Thanks to everyone for coming and especially to those boys who didn't get a game and the parents who brought them ; our bigger squad makes it harder for us to include everyone but it is always our intention that everyone will get a game - sometimes, when the game is very tight, we opt to keep the status quo but I hope you all understand how difficult it is to make such a decision.

SCORERS : JAMIE HUNTER - 1

Saturday 19th November 2011

SHEFFORD SAINTS (FRIENDLY AWAY) : 5 - 2 WIN

A rare Saturday match against a team from the Chiltern Youth league gave the boys a chance to play after two weeks' inactivity. We started the match in a very positive manner and were passing the ball very well with Jamie Hunter in the centre of midfield and Ryan Salisbury out on the right. Within a few minutes we took the lead as Jamie Hunter finished well into the corner from a sweet passing move. The boys continued the passing with Luke Renshaw and Tom Kirby also getting involved and soon we were two nil up as Luke Renshaw played a lovely through ball to Jamie Hunter who finished well. Shefford were causing us some problems at the back, however, and our nervousness showed as we were not positive enough when dealing with their attacking moves. Shefford forced a couple of dangerous free-kicks around our penalty area but Duncan White had his wall well organised and they stood firm and blocked them both. When we had the ball, however, it was a different story and shortly before half time Connor Williams played a great through ball to Ryan Salisbury who hit a great finish into the right hand corner to send us in three nil up at half time. Into the second half and initially we continued as we had left off, putting pressure on Shefford with good passing and movement. An attack down the right enabled Tom Kirby to force a corner which Luke Renshaw took ; as it flew in Ryan Salisbury controlled it brilliantly and slotted the ball home with a cool finish. On came Harry Drummond and Max Perry who contributed very well - Harry on the left wing making some excellent runs and Max ensuring that the Shefford defenders had something to think about. We still looked vulnerable at the back though and before long Shefford took advantage of some hesitation to move the ball down the right, cross it in and score - 4 - 1. Attack was still our best form of defence and some good link play between Luke Renshaw, Tom Kirby and Ryan Salisbury saw us extend our lead as Luke's through ball was finished well by Tom....5 - 1. We did not have the same grip on the game as we did in the first half, however, and Shefford scored a great goal before the end of the game as their dtriker finished off an excellent solo run with a strong finish....5 - 2. This is how the game ended - a great deal to be positive about as the boys grow in confidence and begin to find theri passing game again ; we will have to defend better (collectively), however, once we return to the rigours of the league and AFC Kempston away.

Thank you all for coming along and supporting the lads so vocally.

SCORERS : JAMIE HUNTER - 2 ; RYAN SALISBURY - 2 ; TOM KIRBY - 1

Sunday 6th November 2011

BEDFORD TOWN EAGLES (LEAGUE, AWAY) : 7 - 0 WIN

There it is, in black and white, the word WIN ! A trip away to Bedford, under the sole management of Wayne, and we get a vital win against a team who were just below us in the league. It is looking at if it is Jake who is the bogeyman for the team and so future planning could revolve around finding things for him to do on a Sunday morning. Seriously this was a great win for the boys and will hopefully give them the confidence they seem to have been missing this season - all this and the game was watched by a scout from Luton Town who said he wanted to see us again. The boys made a strong and positive start to the game but anxiety still prevented them from making their advantage count. A tactical change from Wayne brought about the breakthrough, however, as Max Perry bagged his first goal for the team and with it the Lamborghini Claire and Mark had promised him. Despite the pressure half-time came and we were still only one-nil ahead and so there were still some nerves in the camp. Into the second half, however, and we made our superiority count and the goals soon began to flow - two from Liam Gray made it 3 nil and then our new signing, Jamie Hunter, struck to record his first for Toddington. The goals continued to flow and soon Liam grabbed another to complete his hat-trick with Luke Renshaw and Tom Kirby also getting in on the act to make it 7 nil. On top of this we had many other chances - Ryan Salisbury going close with a shot that hit the bar.

Apologies for the vague match report but I've had to make it up as I was not there for the game ! Thanks to you all for travelling to support the boys - I keep saying it but your support means a lot to them and helps spur them on every game. Finally, our best wishes go to Rory Nelson-Ashlee who is struggling with injury and also to Kai Squires who will hopefully return soon - here's hoping they both enjoy speedy recoveries.

SCORERS : LIAM GRAY - 3 ; JAMIE HUNTER - 1 ; LUKE RENSHAW - 1 ; TOM KIRBY - 1 ; MAX PERRY - 1

Sunday 9th October 2011

WESTONING (LEAGUE, AWAY) : 3 - 3 DRAW

A local derby for the boys in search of their first win of the season. We started very brightly with Luke Renshaw showing excellent form on the right wing and some nice passing being exchanged between the boys. After a couple of near-misses we got our reward from a Luke Renshaw corner - Westoning failed to deal with it and Ryan Salisbury slotted the ball home. Soon after this Tom Kirby went close and it was looking good for the boys. Westoning were dangerous on the break, however, and had some real pace with one or two of their players which was causing us some difficulties at the back and, following such a break, they won a corner which unfortunately was deflected in by us and gave them the equaliser. Westoning continued to trouble us on the break and Duncan White continued his excellent start to the season by making a couple of excellent saves. We continued to move the ball around nicely and focused our attacks on the right where Luke Renshaw was causing many problems - not long before half-time he put in a great cross (there had been many) and Ryan Salisbury was there again to make it 2 - 1. Once again we were caught on the break, however, and just before the whistle Westoning snatched a second equaliser. In the second half we weren't as effective at getting the ball down the right wing but both Harry Drummond and Liam Gray provided some threat from the left. After 10 minuteds Ryan Salisbury found some space in the middle and instinctively shot past their 'keeper to make it 3 - 2 to us.  We still had to defend the breaks, however, and though we were better in the second half they made a run down our left wing and the lad cut inside and thundered a terrific shot into the top of the net - no chance on this one for Duncan White. Still we pressed and with just minutes to go both Rory Nelson-Ashlee and Connor Williams went close but however hard we tried we just couldn't get a winner so the game finished in a draw.

Some of the confidence is coming back and there's no doubt you are helping with your encouragement so thanks very much for the support. Congratulations to Ryan on his hat-trick - let's hope we can get some more.

SCORERS : RYAN SALISBURY - 2 ; LUKE RENSHAW 1

Sunday 2nd October 2011

AFC DUNSTABLE (LEAGUE, AWAY) : 1 - 5 LOST

Unfortunately this correspondent was unable to attend tis game so, in a TALKSPORT type way, I'll describe the action as if I was there. We knew we were in for a tough time against last year's champions and with the boys low on confidence the start was poor. Soon after kick-off the home team won a corner and immediately headed themselves into a one-nil lead. The first half then followed an ongoing pattern as a lack of confidence caused us to conceed possession and leak goals regularly - two more were headed goals from corners with two other strikes and we went in at half-time 5 nil down. After the Salisbury hair-dryer (actually gentle encouragement) we emerged and performed much better in the second half and retained possession better. Having won a corner Tom Kirby moved to the near post and flicked the ball into the net to break our duck. Soon after this Harry Drummond went close - hitting the post with a great effort. Sadly the AFC defence proved strong so despite 'winning' the second half we eventually went down 5 - 1. I talked to Wayne and he said there was encouragement to be taken from the second half performance so the boys need to be congratulated for carrying on and trying to play their football even when 5 nil down.

SCORERS : TOM KIRBY - 1

Sunday 25th September 2011

LUTON BLACKSOX (LEAGUE, HOME) : 0 - 7 LOST

Luton came to visit with some new players and obviously a lot of confidence. Right from the start they looked sharp and lively with their striker looking especially dangerous. The score really tells the story of the whole game but for the fact that Duncan White had an outstanding game in goal to save it from being a rugby score. Both Scott Atkinson and the excellent Connor Williams also could not be faulted but generally we were poor ; we were unable to retain any possession, panicked when we did have the ball and failed to get any passing going. We must give credit to Luton who were excellent throughout the game and scored some very good goals - to be honest we should learn from them as they showed that if you don't compete as a team you will not win the possession you need to attack your opponents. In summary, congratulations to Luton and a day to forget for us.

Thanks to you all for your fantastic encouragement despite the scoreline.

Sunday 18th September 2011

AMPTHILL COUGARS (LEAGUE, AWAY) : 2 - 0 LOST

We knew we would be in for a tough game against last year's league runners-up and so it proved. The game started frantically for both sides with neither one managing to get the ball under control and get their passing going. Ampthill looked stronger and we re beginning to push us back but Ryan Salisbury nearly created a breakthrough with a lovely attempted through ball. Soon after this Ampthill pressed and won a series of corners which, to be honest, were a fair reflection of their dominance in this period ; a header from one of these went close and we breathed a sigh of relief. Soon after this Tom Kirby went close from a Luke Renshaw free kick but our attacks were lacking conviction and we were increasingly becoming reliant on some last ditch defending from Connor Williams. Shortly before half-time Ampthill struck - they got the ball out wide and Rory Nelson-Ashlee stretched out a leg to block it but he was very unlucky and it deflected past Duncan White to give Ampthill the lead. Into the second half and Scott Atkinson came on and immediately made an impact with some excellent tackling in defence. Ampthill continued to have the better of the possession and were showing just what a good side they are ; we were still unable to get hold of the ball and retain it to start passing the ball around - subsequently we offered little threat up front. Harry Drummond, Kai Squires and Max Perry all came on and performed well but it was clear that we were not going to have enough to get back in the game. Later in the second-half came a second goal that was beginning to look inevitable - a throw-in was left by everyone except Amptill's striker who had an easy finish past Duncan White who had no chance. We could not fault the boys on the effort put in but they just did not show enough composure on the ball - we could be in for a long, hard season !

Thanks to you all for your unfailing support and encouragement

Sunday 11th September 2011

AFC KEMPSTON (LEAGUE, HOME) : 1 - 1 DRAW

A tough start to the season against the team we just edged out in last year's League Cup semi-finals. Both sides started brightly but we began to move the ball around very nicely and began to penetrate down the right courtesy of some great attacking play from Luke Renshaw. We created one or two half-chances but their 'keeper was strong and looked very confident and competent.

Though we were attacking fluently AFC Kempston were also raising some attacks of their own but both Rory Nelson-Ashlee and Connor Williams were excellent in keeping them at bay ; the couple of shots they did get away were dealt with well by Duncan White. We continued to attack and soon got our reward as we were awarded a penalty - Tom Kirby calmly stepped up and slotted the ball home in the bottom right hand corner. Though we were now in front Kempston continued to look dangerous and we had a couple of nervous moments from corners - a warning of what was to come. Kempston won a corner to our left and put in a good ball - their forward rose to head it and it hit the underside of the bar and bounced down....goal ?? The ref wasn't sure but their manager, along with Wayne and I, thought it was in and so the score became 1 - 1.

Substitutions were made and we moved into the second half, still looking very dangerous down the right. Some of the football we played was a joy to watch but we still had to be careful and Scott Atkinson, Kai Squires and Harry Drummond (who came on a subs) all showed some great timing in getting tackles in and breaking up the Kempston attacks. As we moved towards the end of the game Connor Williams thumped the bar with a header - it also bounced down but there was no Russian linesman moment and the game ended at one-all. A special mention goes to Max Perry who was making his debut for the team, not long after joining the club, and who played very well in what must have been a difficult environment.

A solid start, it now gets harder as we travel to Ampthill for our next game. Many thanks to you all for coming and supporting the boys - it is very much appreciated.

SCORERS : TOM KIRBY - 1