Hard earned draw for Under 11 Lions

It was back to playing competitive football for the Lions after an unprecedented layoff of nine weeks, mainly due to the weather. It was going to be a tough nut to crack and a stiff test against Gosport Arrows who had defeated the Lions 4-0 earlier in the season - their only defeat in the league thus far.
 
The Lions took the lead from a headed Baran Sener goal, and also hit a post, before the visitor’s keeper was called into action to save two well-struck free kicks destined for the back of the net. However, the Arrows stormed back to give the Lions a torrid time in defence. The pressure paid off when a fierce shot in the dying moments of the 1st half left Sam Blythin in the Lions goal helpless and drew the Arrows level.
 
In the second half the Arrows again put the Lions under a great deal of pressure, but the Lions defence, led doggedly by a strong Joe O’Mahony, held firm until another great goal from the Arrows left the Lions with a 2-1 deficit. The Lions had their moments too and could and should have drawn the scores level. With time running out it looked as if the Lions were going to suffer a narrow defeat until Tommy Milchard popped up in the six yard box to fire the ball through a ruck of players and give the Lions a hard won point. It had been a pulsating match, despite both sides being match-rusty from the long break, and a good result for the Lions. Overall Gosport Arrows had been the better side, especially going forward, but grit and determination had rescued the Lions cause.