Next up were Muswell Hill - sitting second in the league, with a nice win of 5-1 against us earlier in the season. As ever, the boys were ready to play - and give it the Lions commitment. We have gelled well as a team over the past few matches - and the pre-match talk was all about keeping it tight early on, and building from there - against a big strong Muswell Hill team. We started well, getting in some good challenges - and Muswell tried to boss and muscle us from the off. We have learned not to be intimidated now - and really took it to the No2 Team. As ever L.Dunlop was effective up front - holding the ball well, and making strong runs at the defence. A few nice early chances were made - and we forced their keeper to make some good saves early on. Confidence grew, and we put a lovely move togther down the left, E.Cooney swept the ball in well, and the leagues £rd highest goalscorer was there to blast in - well done L.Dunlop. 1-0 up at half time, and we needed to do the same. They put 2 boys on bigger than Tony May (is that possible?) and tried to drive through. A couple if individual error allowed them to get to 2-1 ahead - and when they put another in from the corner - I thought it was game over with 5 to play. However, the mecurial M.Gauntlett picked the ball up in his own half - and strode forward, and blasted a 30 yarder past the keeper. We all pushed forward - and Muswell Hill were now struggling, making mistakes, unable to cope with the Lions pressure. We forced a corner, and I urged all forward - including the defence. The ball came over, and wet back out to M.Gauntlett - who crossed it over - and keeper beaten, A.Burchell was there to tap in................ But it was not our day, and the ball missed the net! Never mind boys - 2 great matches aginst the top teams, and showed our mettle. Well done to E.Cooney who really worked hard all over the pitch. Next up Oxhey Jets!

We went to the league leaders - who had won all 11 of their matches conceding only 5 goals. On our day, I know we can match any team - and today we were completely and utterly superb. From the off, we were committed to the tackles all over the park, got some nice simple passing going and really put the leaders under pressure. 10 minutes in, we got the ball nicely down the left, L.Dunlop beat a tackle and drove the ball low and hard past the (HUGE!) keeper. 1 nil, and really well deserved. The opposition were not used to been put under pressure, and you could see some decent creeping in from the players (and the ref.....). It was then their keeper put a big kick up the park, we mis timed a kick, and they ran in to equalise. 1 all at half time. We spoke about keeping it tight, and not fading - and with some fresh legs on with A.Dodd and A.Manji - created some new problems for Olympiacos. We were the better team, with some great shot from E. Cooney, A.Burchell and J.Wilson. At one point A.Burchell burst from the back - and had a great chance - but his Dad Barry put him off with a SHOOOOUOOOT shout!!!! We always looked dangerous going forward - and L.Dunlop worked on the right, cut in on the left and blasted a great shot in - 2-1!! the boys (and the Coach) went mad........ Now to keep the lead, and we dug in, and created a couple of more chances. Final whistle, a great win, and I know the boys will always remember this feeling. The lesson here is all about the TEAM - and every boy played for the Lions shirt - and they should feel very proud of this performance - best all season. Brilliant. Brilliant.

This was L.Dunlops big game. His Mum told me all he was talking about was this match - as Bushey & Oxhey were mostly all of his school mates…….! So he was made captain - and was given some clear instructions - GO AND SCORE SOME GOALS!. So - right from the kick off, we worked the ball weel, down the left with E.Cooney - a nice ball into L.Dunlop - and bang - 1-0!. A great start. However, Bushey were a team used to winning games - and they pushed back hard. A.Burchell was immense today - tidying up all loose balls, and making runs into attack - as needed. At half time, L.Dunlop had scored another - so was feeling happy with his performance - quite rightly so! Secong half was more of the same - we created at least 5 clear chances, but did not get the rub of the green. They scored with a header from a corner, but we pushed on again - and M.Gauntlett buried the third goal - a great result. Well done to the boys - and a massice well done to L.Dunlop, who had the biggest smile on his face at the end of the match!!

So, the first game following the Xmas break. The boys were still of festive cheer at training - and Tony commented on how big some of the boys had grown even in a month! We were up against St Albans Rangers - a tidy team with some good players. Sadly we were a couple of ecperienced players light - and I had to ask some of the boys to play out of position. Before we get into the match stats, I have to tell you about a funny story. We had our first ever lady ref, who introduced herself to me, just as I had all the boys togther for my team talk. A few of the boys had big smiles on their faces (J.Wilson and T.May) and I offered to introduce them to the ref after the match - which they promptly declined...................! Anyway - we started off slowly here - and the opposition pushed hard to get a quick goal. Some mad defending happened - and we got into shape. However, it didnt take long until we were under pressure again. I have been asking T.May to get really stuck in for his tackles - not to stand off, and bang he did exectly as i said............. however, the attacker went down like a sack of spuds - and the ref gave a penalty against us - 1 nil down. We came under more pressure, and went 3 nil down. Then - we had a penalty of our own. J.Wilson was taken down in the area. M.Gauntlett stepped up, ang goal............. But no! The ref has asked for a re-take as pne of our player stepped into the area! No worries - up steps up M.Gauntlett again, and nice calm finish. We did create some chances in the game, but not enough to trouble the opposition.Some good perfromances from A.Burchell in midfield, T.Petty in goal and O.Neville and A.Dodd. A tough run of fixtures coming - so no more mince pies!

A good win for the Lions, with a superb hat-trick from L.Dunlop. The score showed we did well, but it was not easy, and most goals came in the second half. Sorry about details here, I realised I missed it off in December - and with Turkey, Mince pies and a few ports clouding my mind, the memory is not holding up well..............

The sickness bug hit the Lions this weekend with 3 key players out - A.Burchell, A.Dodd and A.Manji. I knew Okhey away was going to be a battle - and so it turned out - but what a game!!!! This game had it all, it was a bit like Ossie Ardiles Spurs v Brazil of the 80's - attack v attack........... Brilliant to watch, but as a coach with Alan Hansen type qualities, hard to enjoy! We started brilliantly - a corner from the kick off, and a great header from L.Dunlop - coaches dream of a goal. However our defence was slow to clear the first Oxhey attack - and 1 -1 after 5 mins. We gained some composure - and went 2-1 up at half time, with another great finish from L.Dunlop. This game was a little lively from the Oxhey parents point of view, and the pressure meant that we went 3-2 down in quick sucession. A brilliant save from T.Petty kept us in the game - and a long clearance gave L.Dunlop his hat trick with a brilliant header. 3-3 with 5 to play. They pushed again, and our defence fell away - and 4-3 down. I thought that was it........... But some brilliant Lions football got us back in it. E.Cooney into L.Dunlop - brilliant run down the left, great cross and O.Neville was there for his first of the season - cue mass hysteria from boys and parene and proud coach!!! Surely that was it??? But no - from the kick off the ball into the box - no time to clear it and we lost 5-4. !!! Nevermind boys - we will win these games normally, and back to winning ways next week!

The long awaited coming of Olympiacos. This was the firat team we played in my coverted managerial career - with a 5 - 1 win last season. As we didn’t have many wins last season the boys remember the game vividly and were hoping for a repeat score! The opposition had improved well since last season - and whilst we created a few chances early on - we were in a game, and this was not going to be a push over. However, we got our passing game going - and went 2-0 nil up by half time. A change of formation was needed - and we brought T.May to provide some muscle at the back -and this allowed the blonde bomber L.Dunlop to cause havoc. The goals started going in - and at the end of the match we had 6 different scorers - which was great to see. Well done boys, a nice result - and well done to J. Wilson who is getting better each game>

So, second time playing the Panthers this season, having beaten them nicely away 5-0. The fog was down all around the ground, and the yellow ball came out ….. (mainly for the Jaffa cake man who cant see his own hands these days due to age………..). Anyway, the line up was attacking with 2 up front, and 1 at the back to try to grab some early advantage. This worked nicely, with the blonde bomber L.Dunlop grabbing a nice opener with some good pressure in the first 10 minutes. I thought the Panthers had improved since last time we played - and they pressed us well. However, with a bit of pace from E.Cooney and L.Dunlop - we cut them open for L,Dunlop getting a brace. 2-nil up at halftime - but i felt we were a little unsteady - so i brought T.May on at the back, with A.Manji. This seemed to balanced the team better - and pressurre from a corner from M.Gauntlett went in off a defender - good stuff, an area we have been working on. A. Burchell was superb all game, efficient at the back - and I have been telling him to get forward when he can........... he took 2 brilliant runs, beating most of the opposition - and just missing the goal ....great stuff ........! Final change of the game brought J.Wilson on, who threaded a brilliant pass to L.Dunlop - and bang a superb hat trick!!!! well done boys, moving up the league - 4th with 2 games in hand...........................

So off to North London, against a team second in the league. They looked a bit tougher on paper - and so it played out on the day. Tony and I were stratching our heads - against the bigger teams we seem to shy away, and not tackle well enough - and very quickly they powered through us. As ever, when we got the ball moving, we looked a better team. At 3 nil, we pulled one back with a nice bit off pressure at the start of the second half - and we desereved our goal with L.Dunlop heading in. But, heads went down after another went in - and we a few areas to take into training. Well done to A.Dodd with a good committed display, and a well deserved MOM!

So the second round of the Cup for the Lions…… We had a tough draw - Harvesters were 4 divisions above us in the league, so we knew what we were coming up against. Lions, however were up for anything - and our motto of "Give it Your Best" would be needed. A.Burchell was unavailable as his Dad made him stay overnight at his cousins - where was the comitment Barry???? Anyway, we kicked off, and the Harvesters boys could play a bit. We held out own and even created a couple of chances ourselves. They did a back pass to their keeper, and we took a neat free kick - and L. Dunlop headed over the bar............ We also had a free kick which M.Gauntlett blasted and just missed - another day. Overall the result was probably fair - but these are the games we used to lose 10 or 11 nil - so lets concentrate on the league!!!!!

Half term match, and we had T.May flown in from Cyprus at 2am Sunday morning. The Lions were right up for this match - and it showed early on. We pushed hard, and created a few chances early on. But with Finchleys first attack, a toe poke put us one down!!! We started again, and then it came............. T. May got the ball from a clearance - and then, just like David Beckham blasted it from inside his own half - straight in the opt corner!!!!!!!!!!!! Wild celebrations!!! Then A.Burchell did the same - but his the bar! We got our passing going, and created chance after chance - 2 from J.Wilson, 2 from L.Dunlop and another from M.Gauntlett. A worthy win - 3rd in the league, with a game in hane - well done boys!

So our first real test - the league leaders at home. We started brightly, and this game could have went either way. We played in our formation to win the gane, pushing hard - but got caught on the break, and we were 2 nil down at half time. We had a few chances, and on another day they could have gone in. Second half we were much better, and probably were the better team - but not our day, but show were are a good side in this league.

So up next was the County Cup. We were drawn with Wheathampstead, who came from the Mid Herts League - and were a whopping 6 divisions above us!!! However, the boys were in good spirits, and I knew we were improving each week. M.Gauntlett dropped into goal, as T.Petty was washing his hair. A.Burchell was on his own at the back - although he told me before the game that he thought we would get thumped this week. i had a little word in his ear, reminded him that he was Ashley Cole - and he was ready to rumble! We started brilliantly, a nice kick off - putting E.Cooney free who rasped a shot just over the bar, good stuff! we really got stuck in, and L.Dunlop - fresh from his "best training award" on Saturday - was running hard, and interchanging well with A.Manji .O.Neville was making some great runs, and again the Lions passing game was starting to work well. Again, nothing was getting past A.Burchell (Ashley Cole) and the Lions were really testing the opposition. Half time, nil nil - all good so far. Second half, we lost out conentration early on, and the opposition took the opportunity and went 2 goals up. Normally, last season we would let this effect us - but not anymore. We took the game to Wheathampstead - and pushed hard. They caught us on the break - but after a superb run from L.Dunlop, who crossed for E.Cooney - who banged it home - 3-1, game on. The opposition now looked worried, as we pushed for another goal. We almost had another with E.Cooney crossing them over, but again we got caught on the break. Our motto is "never give up" and we didnt. A good ball into the box into J.Wilson, who went over in the box - penalty! Up stepped E.Cooney and 4-2 was the final result. A good game, we played well and tested a team who were 6 divisions above us - good work boys!!!!!!!

Our first league match of the season, with the Lions looking to win 2 games on the bounce, for the first time in their history. We arrived at Borehamwood, and looked at their pitch - it sloped downwards so quickly you could almost roll down it. I had a little word with Tony, and we started to warm up at the higher end........always looking for an advantage.! We had a look at the opposition, and one of their boys was slightly taller and rounder than Tony himself - so I thought we were in trouble here, so our pacy wingers would skin him......... We started really brightly, and with our new formation, we dominated the midfield, and created some good chances. A.Manji was being very creative with some great 1-2's with O. Neville - and bang he fired us ahead after 5 mins. Quickly after this, M.Gauntlett fired a rocket in, and we looked in control, especially when A.Manji got his second with a lovely inter change on the left with O.Neville. A.Burchell tidied everything up for us as usual at the back - and he has been superb in the last 2 games, getting better and better, and T.Petty hardly touched the ball in the first half. 3 nil at half time.........Secind half we were going up hill, and the big Borehamwood lad was lumping it forward - which put us under a bit of pressure for 5 mins. T. Petty made some brilliant saves, and his kicking was great this week. E.Cooney went around the keeper for the forth, and M.Gauntlett smashed another in. Then our forwards saw the glory for their hatrricks, and we coould have had a few more - but blood rushed to the head. Well done boys, another great perfromance - County Cup next up!

We always knew our season would start properly after the seeding games……….so we were given a draw against a team in our division, so a fair match was coming. We pushed an extra man up front, with A.Burchell on his own at the back with support from the midfield. Thie seemed to work and A.Burchell was superb all match - nothing getting past him at all - brilliant! Upfront, A.Manji and L.Dunlop were working well, and the passing trainign we worked on seemed to be working - and we created a few chances. Bang - a lovely piece of play put A.Manji in - and a great finish 1-0. A similar piece of play with O.Neville and A.Manji created a great opening - and Oxhey could not stay with our pace. 2- nil, 2 goals for A.Manji. A thirs just before half time from M.Gauntlett was great - a nice blaster from outside the box. A nice place to be at half time. It was 100 degrees out there - so a few tactical substitutions meant that we needed to save legs. T.Petty made a blinding save (a quiet day for him) and E.Cooney blasted another in to complete a good perfromance. Still work to be done, but i knew this perfromance was coming!! Well done boys, great start to the season !!!

I spoke last week about confidence, and how much of a factor it plays at this level. We played Croxley, who romped their league last year - winning it by some margin. We lost 7-0 last season, so we knew were were in for a tough match. I have spoke many times about this teams determination, will to play, to learn and to give it their best shot. Todays game was a classic game of two halfs - to coin a football punits term! We started really well, as we tend to do - good tackes, good tracking and getting some nice passing going. We really had the Croxley team thinking they were in for a tough match - and we started to create a few chances - O.Neville making the keeper pull off a great save which just fell the wrong side of the post. L. Dunlop was causing problems with his stregnth and determination - and the defence mopping most of the danger up at the back. So............... nil nil at half time - a really good perfromance. More of the same please boys - and we spoke about all reasons why we are in a solid postion. Now this is where the confidence chat comes in - we went 2 goals behind quickly - and everything we do at training, kick off's, passing, tracking went out the window! Croxley could smell this - and pushed forward, and we fell over!! So - a nice bit for us to work on in training - but also we should take a lot of heart that we pushed this good side all the way for half the match - as we have done in all our matches so far. Seeding finished - cup match next, then divisions formed. Boys - we WILL have a great season!

We came into this match full of confidence, having had 2 good perfromances - and a nice warm up on Saturday against a solid U9's team - where we won 4-0, 4-0 and 1-0 in 3 mini games. The weather was hot, and we started brightly with the Lions pushing forward - and creating a few chances early on. The Cassiobury Chairman came over to have a chat with me mid game - and he commented that he was very impressed with how the boys were playing. Quickly after that we created a good chance and put L.Dunlop through and he slotted it past the keeper for a well deserved 1-0. We pushed on again - and created about 5 good chances where we should have put this game to bed - but our finishing was not at its best. Pushing on meant that our midfield needed to track back, and suddenly we found ourselves 2-1 down - from just 2 St.Albans attacks. Football at this level any even above is about confidence - and you you could see some tired boys out there. Our discipline of the first couple of games had gone - and when we went forward we forgot that need to track and mark up! Overall we lost 5-1, in a game which we should have won 6-2. Lots of learns, lots of positives - but again the boys can take some heart into the next match

The second of our seeding games…………… on paper a real tough gig - playing a teamwho were in the top division last year, 3 full divisions above us. As it was a Wednesday night game - and some of the boys had other commitments - ballet, having their hair done etc, we only had 6 players - no subs. The Bushey team had about forty subs - or so it felt. However, the Lions were well up for this match. We played with 3 in midfield, and the game plan was to get the ball up to the mighty L.Dunlop who was to hold the ball up. This was abother remarkable perfromance for the Lions - as we held the Bushey team to only 1-0 with 5 to play, when pure fatigue set in and we conceded 2 late goals. There were brilliant performances all arounf the pitch - A.Burchell brilliant at the back with A.Dodd - great tracking from O.Nevillle, E.Cooney and M.Gauntlett - and L. Dunlop was taking the game to the Bushey team. We almost nicked an eqialiser at 1-0, with the boys creating a few chances - great stuff. What made this sweeter was that at the begining of the game the Bushey coach said that he didnt want a "cricket score" and would eqailise the numbers later in the game............. Our perfromance meant that he coudnt!!! Well done boys!

"The boys were chomping at the bit to get going again this season, and over the Summer it looks like they have grown a few inches, and have got even more to say for themselves!! At the end of last season the Lions were growing in confidence and they wanted to keep this going.......... We played Northwood at this stage last season in the seeding matches, and having lost 6-0 then, it would be interesting to see our progress. We started with T.Petty as usual in goal, A.Burchell - Player of the Year 2010/11 at the back with T,May, M.Gauntlett holding midfield with J.Wilson and E.Cooney on the flanks. O.Neville and A.Dodd waiting on the bench. Northwood are a tall, strong rough team - and last year we were intimidated by such teams. Not any more. This was probably the best performance from the Lions I have seen - and they should feel proud. Northwood were in Div 2 lat year, us bottom of 4th - but there was nothing between these teams. Lions started slowly, but soon realised that they nothing to be afraid of. M>Gauntlett was bossing the middle, with some strong running and tackling - feeding E.Cooney on the flank. A.Burchell mopped up most of the attacks and nothing went passed him all game (albeit a little wok on throw in's required, as we had a picky ref). T.Petty had only 3 saves to make all game, and he was steady as ever. Half time was nil nil, and well deserved draw. More of the same please.... We started the second half well, and E.Cooney hit the bar with a brilliant shop. He was superb all game, and chased back, tacked and was the deserved MOM. We almost nicked it with M>Gauntlett's free kick chip - just over the bar, With 5 to go, Northwood broke into space, and T.Petty made a fine save - and for a rebound and a tap in. Overall, a brilliant battling performance against a very physical, side. You can see the confidence, and looks good for the season - well done boys! "