Harry Lions.

Season  2009 - 2010

Churwell lions  4   Chapeltown  4

Sunday 13th September 2009

Harry started in his now favoured position on the right of midfield. His first taste of the action came in the second minute when he slide challenged a Chapeltown player winning the ball brilliantly, setting off to the by-line where his high cross into the box was handled for a penalty which was tucked away at the second attempt by Reece.

The lions were soon 2-0 up but an improving Chapeltown got on the scoresheet after 11 minutes.  Harry was all over the pitch in the opening quarter having more or less covered every blade of grass.  One minute he was at right midfield, the next supporting the attack then he was back defending and next over on the left side. His full of energy approach was costing him dearly as he was looking shattered and came off after 11 minutes where i told him to concentrate on his allotted position.

On 16 minutes Harry came on just as Chapeltown equalised.  He was soon in the thick of it helpng the defence with a good challenge. Harry was close to getting on the scoresheet but both his efforts just sneaked past the post. 4 minutes before half time the visitors made it 2-3.

Harry started the second half as substitute, joining the game on 6 minutes and was soon getting into the action with a shot that nearly scored.  Harry wanted to move from defence to midfield as a midfielder see's more of the action and he was proven right as again he was up and down the pitch.

One of  Harry's good attributes is his heading ability and on 37 minutes he helped the defence at a corner getting in a briliant headed clearence. A minute later Chapeltown increased their lead courtesy of  a brilliant shot from distance giving James in goal no chance.

Chapeltown were very slow out of the blocks but one thing their  team had in abundance was strength, one player (No:14) was strong as an Ox and it was their battling qualities that got them into the lead but the lions are a good side who never gave up and got back into the game (3-4) on 41 minutes.

My favourite "Harry" moment of the match came in the last minute.  Harry found himself in the box challenging the keeper for a loose ball, he won the ball but  from my position, seemed to be going out of play.  Doggedly he ran his heart out to retrieve the ball, keeping it in play he managed to get the ball into the box where Franklyn smashed home a much deserved equaliser. 

With seconds remaining Harry, in the box, got into a great position and in my thoughts i thought he was going to get a last minute winner, unfortunately his shot was blocked and the game finished 4-4.

In summing up:  Harry gave 200% today and virtually never missed a tackle, he contributed to two of the four goals.  He loves football and this was evident in todays committed display. I know he can run better with the ball and this will come as he grows.  If i had to pull him on one thing then that would be his corners as i know he can do better at beating the first man. Thankfully we were a tad fortunate with the first goal for when Harry won the tackle the ball marginally went out of play and thus was not spotted by the referee. Harry's steely determination on the cross for the equaliser made me a very proud father....it nearly brought a tear to my eye in all honesty!

A fantastic performance all over the pitch and a very proud dad.                                                  8.5/10

NB:  Harry was voted motm.

 Tingley Ath  2  Churwell lions  1

Sunday  27th  September  2009

Harry was unwell but he said that he was fit to play.  From the touchline it was clear to us that he was not right, he was poor in the tackle and not strong on the ball. He came off around the 10 minute mark and just sat alone on the grass.  At half time i was called over to take him home.

Match wise Churwell took the lead but were fortunate not to be 4-0 when they scored.  Two quick goals put Tingley in the lead just before the break.

Gildersome  4  Churwell lions 0

Sunday 4th October 2009

After last weeks illness at Tingley, Harry was eager to get back into things at Gildersome, unfortunately he was coughing all morning and so it continued into the match.  He started the game again on the wing and the lions soon found themselves 1-0 down on 2 minutes.

Again it was evidant that he was not on top of his game, he recieved the ball a couple of times but all he did was just kick it forward.  He was trying his best and at times he intelligently got into some great positions out on the left but did not receive the ball.

Coughing and spluttering he came over for a drink to soothe his throat to try to help him but on 11 minutes he was called off and substituted.

Kippax Athletic  9   Churwell Lions  0

Sunday 8th  November  2009

(Joe, Matthew, Alex, Kyle, Joby, Harry H, Harry B, Liam, Darius, Jamie Smith)

Harry  was at last match fit, playing on the right of midfield but the Lions soon found themselves 2 - 0 down with only 2 minutes on the clock.  He took a while to get going and was involved in some neat midfield passing moves on 9 minutes.

Eight minutes later Harry had his first run, a good run down the wing with his cross into the box resulting in a corner for Churwell.  On 19 minutes Kippax could have gone 4-0 up but Harry's great block averted a near certain goal.

Harry was seeing the ball more as an attacking force in the second half and on 6 minutes he had a brave effort that was saved by the keeper, Five minutes later he went on a another good run on goal but again his low shot was saved by the keeper.

Churwell kept plugging away and Harry still kept going and pressurising the home side with some strong tackling.  Due to an injury to Joeby, Harry was asked to play in defence and it was great to see him slip into what i think is his favoured position and to use  the marking techniques which i have taught him.

In summing up:  Harry had an ok game in the first half and i thought he was lucky to not have been substituted at half time.  He was more involved in the second half and went on a couple of good runs and was more of a threat to Kippax.  Kippax were a much improved team on last season and were a very good passing side which is something Churwell need to replicate.  When Harry slipped into the defensive role late on i felt more comfortable with his position as he looks more at ease there.

The score line albeit a pasting should have only been 7-0  as the clueless referee let 2 goals go in on 22 and 23 minutes in a 20 minute game????  Kippax refused at the end of the game to chalk off the two (Fergie time) goals.

Again gave 110%, needs to up the pace as a winger.                                                                        7/10

Churwell Lions 1 Kirkstall crusaders 2

Sunday 15th November 2009 

(Harrison, Kyle, Callum, Joby, Adam, Rory, James, Jamie, Ethan, Harry H)

Harry started the first half playing on the right of midfield where he was mainly busy taking the throw in's and corners, he got involved with a couple of moves but nothing  worthy to mention.

In the second half Harry was moved forward to the main strikers role and this is where i feel he came alive today, he got involved with some good tackling and never stopped running. He gave his all and went very close to giving Churwell the lead from an acute angle. Moments later Kirkstall who were a gritty side, not a brilliant side took the lead.

Moments later, Harry was busy in the box and was felled for a penalty.  He took the resulting penalty hitting it to the keeper's right but unfortunately it was well saved by the Crusader keeper.

Harry was playing some great football and i was chuffed to bits for him when he scored his first competitive goal for the lions. On the left side of goal Harry received the ball from Kyle, went on a run towards goal and planted a "left" foot shot that gave the keeper no chance.  It was a brilliantly taken goal when you take the run at goal into account.

The whole team played brilliant and each and everyone gave 110% with some great performances also from Jamie Snell and Kyle.

With the game drawing to a close the visitors got their winning goal which was cruel on the Lions as they were the better side. 

 Harry reeling away after scoring his first goal for Churwell.

In summing up:  Harry had a great game and i was chuffed for him to get his goal especially after the dissapointment of the penalty miss.  He kept his head up and kept going and got better and better as the game went on. It was a shame that the better side lost.

A fantastic performance.                                                                                                                    9/10

Leeds city 8  Churwell lions 1 

Sunday 14th February 2010

(Joe, Harry H, Harry B, Darius, Franklyn, Liam, Matthew, Kyle)

Due to the snow and bad weather over the winter this was the Lions' first run out of the year away at fourth placed Leeds city (At the start of day). It was a game of two halves with Harry starting a new role with Kyle playing as wing backs.

The first half  saw Harry take a while to adjust to his new role as he kept staying back defending in  a 3 man back-straight line.  It is a new role for him and i hope with training he will adjust to this structure as he was then not supporting the midfield and  as the game panned out in the first half City had too much space in the middle, the overrun Lions midfield were swept aside and city were 6-0 up at half time.

Harry had a couple of chances to defend which he coped with well, one being a good block on the touchline from a city left wing attack.

Harry's best action of the whole match came mid-way through the first half when he received the ball on the right wing near the Churwell goal mouth, he ran up the wing with pace, along the full length of the line avading tackles.  He got to the City goal line and under duress managed to get a cross in towards the penalty spot, unfortunately there was no team mate to get on the end of it.

The half finished with the boys 6-0 down but for the second half it seemed as if a totally differant side had come out to play.  The boys seemed more up for it and they began to play and pass like a team should.  Harry was not involved as much in this half, he took up some good supporting positions and whipped in one good corner.

From 6-0 in the first half they lost the second 2-1 which was unlucky as it was only poor defending that got city one of their goals.  Harry and the lads could and did walk off the pitch with their heads held high.

In summing up: Harry had a quiet game at right wing back, his first half run was brilliant and his pace and control is getting better and better. He did not really put a foot wrong today, his positioning was good and he was always looking for the ball and when in possession he did not waste it. 8-1 sounds like a thrashing but taking into account the second half response and that they had not trained for ages and had no match action since November the Lions did ok

A quiet game, gave 100% and played well.                                                                                     7.5/10

 Hunslet 3  Churwell lions 0

Sunday 7th March 2010

(Joe, Matthew, Darius, Harrison, Liam, Joeby. Harry H )

Harry has now reverted back into the defence partnering Matthew at the back.  The lions found themselves 1-0 down in the second minute, a goal that owed itself more to luck than skill. Their heads did not drop but Harry was again slow out of the blocks and looking disinterested, walking round with a body language of being bored.

After going 2-0 down on 13 minutes i wondered if it was going to turn into a thrashing but the young lions sweated every sinew to try to get into the game.

I felt that Harry needed to up his game  and i felt that things changed  mid way through the second half as Harry was getting "Turned" too easy, this he did on 33 minutes but he brilliantly got back to make an excellent saving tackle.

Having woken up he turned into the "SUPER" Harry that we know he can be, again making some good timely tackles, one of them was so hard you could hear the clash of boots yards away as he slid in near the right wing touch line, it was a real "man's" tackle that he had made.

Harry was all over the pitch by this point covering on both flanks, supporting the front men and getting back straight away to do his defensive duties, he was becoming a man possessed with his effort and non stop action.  The best part of the match for me which summed him up perfectly was when he was calling for the ball on the left wing/midfield position, Churwell lost the ball and he ran as fast as his legs could take him to get back to the right-back defensive berth.

 Hunslet got a final goal in the very last minute, again it was a lucky more than skillfull goal.  Hunslet were the better side, they played some lovely one touch passing football and deserved their victory but if the game was won on effort and not goals then Churwell would have been going home with a point.

In summing up: Harry was again slow out of the blocks and needs to be on the pace from the start. He has to learn about not getting turned easily which he is prone to doing.  This will come with age but his effort and reading of the game is improving.  He also needs to try and get more purchase behind some of his clearnces as some were a bit weak putting Churwell into trouble but again this will come with age as his body grows, after all he is still only 9.

Another game of two halves, the 2nd he gave unbelieveable 120% effort.                                        8/10

*  At training Harry was awarded the "MAN OF THE MATCH" award.