Under 10's Lions

20th January 2007
Ecko Whitecaps 1-1 Essex Royals

After last weeks cancellation, the game was back on. An eagerly awaited game as they beat us at home 2-1 early on in the season. With both Matt Lambert and Tom Dudley absent, Royals new signing Luke Mitchell made his first appearance, starting as a sub.
Royals started with lots of enthusiasm, Ben holding the ball up well in attack; it was a well balanced game. That was until a great bit of passing with Josh finishing it off well. Luke was then introduced up front, for a short run out.
The game resumed second half and it was a game of few chances for either team, but Ecko were pressing forward, with our defence holding up well. Luke was reintroduced this time in place of Alfie, who was finding it hard going in midfield. We had the occasional chance at goal but still not getting enough shots away. The longer the game went on the more the defence was being stretched, and with the midfield not chasing back there was a shot which left goalie Alex, no chance. Straight from the spot kick we had a chance to win the game, but it was not to be as the final whistle went.
The opposing manager commented after the game “my boys never look forward to playing you, because they know it is going to be a hard game”. That’s just what we give everyone, we just need a little more commitment from the midfield players, as Kai, Sonny and Alex spent the last 15 minutes under siege. COME ON BOYS. Luke’s first appearance in the team saw him show the enthusiasm we need at the moment, a pleasing first appearance.

Man of The Match
Sonny Smith - Solid, but then we have come to expect nothing else.

16th December 2007
Essex Royals 1-1 Thorpe Bay Rangers

Second game of the double header. After last weeks meeting, this seemed to have more of an edge to it. With some heavy tackles going in Matt was off. Then they had a goal disallowed, which had their manager, parents and players hopping mad. Oh no 5 minutes later another disallowed goal, this time they were more than hopping!
Then just after that Royals took the lead, which got us jumping for joy. The second half was a little less eventful, but with a lapse of concentration and not enough effort to chase back they equalised.

Man Of the Match
Matthew Lambert - Great work rate.

9th December 2007
Thorpe Bay Rangers 0-0 Essex Royals

Today was the first of a double header with the league leaders.
The game ended 0-0 after some bad reffing that gave them the upper hand. But the boys conducted themselves well and got on with the game. We had the best of the chances, and to get a point was the least we deserved.

Man Of The Match
Jake Loades - A deserving key player. Well Done.

25th November 2007
Deaneswood youth 1-5 Essex Royals

After last weeks friendly in which we lost 5-1 the boys seemed to have a bit more enthusiasm for todays game, They started well and were soon three goals to the good, then a fourth and the best of the day, a right foot shot from Josh, just yards into their half flew into the goal. That was how it stayed until half time, the second half was a little tighter, but the boys did start passing and soon made it five with a goal from Matt. We conceded a very soft goal right at the end of the game, but the final score and our best win of the season 5-1.
Other scorers were Alfie with 2, and Ben.

Man of the Match

Matthew Lambert Playing a great game.


18th November 2007
Essex Royals 1-2 Ecko Whitecaps

Back in league action after our cup round defeat. The boys made a good start, but it was obvious there was a hard game ahead from the beginning.
Early stages saw great attempts on goal from both teams, and we were soon 1-0 up.
At 1/2 time the score was still the same, but as the second half kicked off it saw us fall apart. I am not sure if the boys became complacent, or were just too tired to fight on. After an equalising goal they just lost all formation. Shortly before the final whistle Ecko shot another one in the net, and that was how it ended.

Man Of The Match
Alex Hart - Making some fine saves keeping the score line down.

4th November 2007
Canvey Island Yth 0-0 Essex Royals
(Penalties 5-4)
LIONS CUP FIRST ROUND

After last years success in the Tigers cup we were put straight into the Lions Cup. A game we were looking forward to after the previous years win, but knew would be hard when we were drawn against a division one (three divisions higher than us)high flyer for the first round. The boys went out full of determination and the majority of the play was down the other end, what a start! As always despite valiant attempts the ball just wouldn't go in. With our stand in goalie, Tom, making several fine saves, we kept in the game all the way, after 50 tough minutes and with Ben as our main forward, we now went to extra time 5 minutes each way. With both teams hitting the post, this really could have gone either way. When the final whistle went we knew it would all be down to penalties. Poor Tom, he never expected this, our penalty takers, Kai, Sonny, Alfie, Matthew & Jake took thier turns and after 5 for each team it was still level, now sudden death. But it was not to be, Kai taking his second and having it saved, and the other teams going in. We were out, but not without a fantastic performance from every member of the team. WELL DONE BOYS.

Man Of The Match- Tom, a real gutsy performance for the last two weeks.

28th October 2007
Shore Athletic 0-1 Essex Royals

Having met this team last season and drawn both times, we were well prepared for today. Knowing we needed to man mark their 'one' main player, proved quite a challenge. Our intial choice was not 100% fit, so it was left to another to try, this did not work out and Ben was subbed on to take over. He was fantastic despite the cold and driving rain, the player must have thought Ben was his shadow; he never left his side.
The game was won with a first half Alfie goal, and we all went home WET but happy to get the three points from Shore.

Man Of The Match - Ben , a faultless performance.

21st October 2007
Essex Royals 2-1 Concord Rangers

A hard fought match from the start, Concord were full of energy and enthusiasm, which soon paid off with them scoring a goal after 5 minutes.
Royals were not going to be defeated though and fought back, with a great goal from Josh just before the half time whistle.
Second half, and most of the play was up Concords end, should have been more goals scored but with a combination of good defending and Concords goalie saving a few more it was not to be.
A nasty clash between Matt and the goalie saw Matt coming off and Ben taking his place up front. Only 8 mins to go and finally Ben kicked another one past him.
Another win for the Royals.
Well done boys.

Man of the match Sonny Smith
Strong overall performance and some good wing play.

7th October 2007
Essex Royals 2-1 Ashingdon Youth

With the league not updated form last week, we knew little about the opposition. Only that they had beaten Shore Athletic (last years unbeaten team) 5-0. Not to be phased Royals were soon on the up after several shots and with our goalie a virtual spectator. Royals took the lead through a well taken goal by Josh, but better to come, with possibly the made by us ever. Four good passes ended in a shot from Jake to take us into half time 2-0. Ashingdon made a game of it in the second half getting a goal back, but the final whistle couldn't come quick enough. The boys thought they had scored a third for it to have been deemed not over the line, but we were celebrating, Alex out to the half way line having to make a quick return to save our blushes. A good third win in a row.

Man Of The Match
Tom Dudley - Showing today some good strength in a very frustrating role upfront.

Essex Royals 2-1Perry Street
A bit of a sleepy Royals performance, but we took the lead through Matthew, soon the game was level after some very poor defending.
Perry St put us under alot of pressure with good passing but the defence was now up to the job.
The winning goal came from almost the last kick of the game and from an unlikly sourse Alex Hart, who was only on as an attacker because the goalie duties were given to Tom.
Tom Dudley made some good saves in this his temporary postition as cover for Alex's pending holiday, we wish him and his family a well earned rest.

14th October 2007
Berry Boys 0-2 Essex Royals

Royals put two past Berry, the first goals they have let in this season so far.
Goals by Alfie Willmot
Man of the Match Alex Hart

23rd September 2007
Essex Royals 2-1 Thundersley Rangers

First home game of the season and it started well ans we pushed forwards, but each attack came to nothing, then after some confusion in the Royals box we conceeded a goal. The game was soon level after a goal from Matt.
The second half seemed to be all Royals, and looked like it was just not to be. Even Kai had a shot from the half way line that went straight to the keepers arms. Just as it looked like one of those days a shot was chased in, not by one but two Royals players, with Tom getting the final touch.

Man Of the Match
Kai McKechnie - Having a fantastic start to the season at right back, making some good runs on the way.

16th September 2007
Hawkwell Athletic 1-0 Essex Royals

A bright start, not only the weather, but on the field right from the kick off. In the first three to four minutes we could, and should have had a goal or two.
But against the run of play Hawkwell scored after a good move that left Royals looking on! 1-0 was how it stayed. The boys had more than a few chances in the second half but they seemed to run out of ideas and breath!

Man Of the Match
Joshua White - Once again showing his pace on the right side, both chasing back and running forward.