The poor weather certainly didn't dampen the players' spirits this week and the result was another well-deserved win. Our goalscorers today were Declan (with 2) and Tom, but whilst the goals are what get recorded it was the team effort which won us the match.
Harvey emerged as man of the match (as voted for by the parents) and I must say it was clearly his best game of the season. The defense were especially strong this week, where Calum and Finlay were occasionally joined by others to help keep a clean-sheet for Lee. Kieran was, once again, unbeatable. Kristian and Rhys seemed to be constantly challenging the opposition's defense and they were both very close to scoring on several occasions.
And a special thanks goes to all the parents who stood in the rain to support the boys.
As from Wednesday 30th September training will be held at HMS Sultan. For this first session (at least) we will meet in the lay-by outside the entrance on the east side. Meet up at 5.45pm and I will take the boys in to the pitches.
We are AWAY this week to Waltham Wolves.
Location: Swanmore College, New Road, Bishops Waltham (click here for map)
Kick Off: 10:00am
Please arrive by 09:30am. (You should leave Lee-on-the-Solent at about 09:00am)
We are AWAY this week to Bishops Waltham Dynamos.
Location: Hoe Road, Bishops Waltham (click here for map)
Kick Off: 09:30am
Please arrive by 09:00am. (You should leave Lee-on-the-Solent at about 08:30am)
Between the previous match and this one the players took part in a series of skills challenges. Well done everyone, especially Connor who came joint third out of all 25 or so players.
This second friendly of the day was against a new Crofton side. Lee Rangers were much more awake this time and played well throughout the whole game. Tom scored our only goal, although there were several other chances - many of which were saved by the Tigers' excellent keeper.
Following a very solid performance in the first game Keenan really pulled out all the stops in this one. A well earned Man of the Man was awarded to him, unanimously, by the rest of the team. But without exception, everyone played well in this game. The passing practice over the last couple of weeks, combined with a bit of self belief really paid off. Now we just need to start shooting a little earlier and we'll really start racking up the goals.
Thanks go to Charlie, both the Crofton teams and all the parents that came along. On a weekend which saw most games called off we managed to have a great morning of fun and competitive football.
The first of two friendlies saw the Lee Rangers U9s up against the Crofton team from the next league up. Our aim was to improve on our last score (a 6 - 0 defeat if I remember correctly) and we did! We didn't manage a win but we did put in a good performance against a strong (in both ability and size) team. Lee Rangers seemed to be almost dozing off at times, although they did wake up in the last part of the game. Kieran was strong in goal - the only shots that made it past him were blisteringly fast - and he showed great skill choosing his targets on goal kicks. The midfield still need to work on making the most of this situation. Harvey's free kick goal was a repeat of what is becoming his signature play. If we're not careful word will get out in the league and we'll never win a free kick on the left again!
Well done. A good start after a long break.
Although the scoreline shows a defeat, the team felt anything but defeated today. An amazing performance and a brilliant return after the last match.
This was the first league game in a long time and also came after a week off from training. Lee Rangers started strongly but Spartan dominated to begin with. After a tense period we managed to turn the tables and Sarah scored the first goal of the match. Spartan soon equalised, only for Sarah to belt home a second straight away. Another goal from Spartan made it 2 - 2 at half time. In the second half Spartan Colts seemed more determined but Lee raised their game too. A run of goals from the opponents saw the margin stretch to 5 - 2 but as ever we didn't give in. Once again Sarah (who seemed always to be in space today) scored a great goal, giving her a hat-trick and taking the final score to 5 - 3.
Kieran, our keeper, was a force to be reckoned with. Without his daring saves and commanding presence the score line could have easily showed 7 or 8 against. Harvey and Connor were incredibly solid and showed some great skill in the centre. Kristian stayed focused and was a real asset, and Andrew must have had four Weetabix for breakfast! The backbone of the team ware Keenan, who defended with great passion and Alfie who was his usual, dynamic self for the entire match.
At least three of their goals came directly after goal kicks, so perhaps we need to work on that set piece. We certainly can't ask more from Kieran who kicks it as far as anyone, so we just need to be more focused on winning the ball and taking it up the pitch.
But really, for me, the game felt like a victory today. Well done!
An earlier than usual start today up at Waltham's home ground. We hoped that the smaller pitches here would benefit us - as we only had a squad of six today. The half hour match was split into three and we started well; 1 - 0 up at the end of ten minutes (but it could easily have been 3 or 4 given how many times we hit the posts and crossbar). A change of ends saw the pace of the game alter slightly in the middle ten. Lee Rangers seemed to lose some of the fight they had to start with and Waltham siezed on the chance to score a couple of goals. We went into the final ten 2 - 1 down and we wondered if the team was going to fade as they tired. No chance! Harvey completed his hat-trick and Tom battled a rebounded ball home to take the final score to 4 - 2. One of the most enjoyable games ever for this team - and not just because of the win.
Kieran - two or three vital saves in the last third kept us ahead. Fantastic drop kicks (and the Goal Kicks aren't bad either!).
Tom - you really found your feet towards the end of the game a got a well deserved goal, as well as playing a vital role in ALL the others.
Sarah - you did exactly what we practiced in training and you deserved a goal (denied by the post!). Great performance.
Harvey - a superb game and a great hat-trick (including two with the left). You're really learning how to trust your team mates.
Connor - we wondered if you would show the same fighting spirit today that you did at training, and you did! I don't think you gave the ball away during the entire match. Fanstastic performance.
Alfie - faultless tackles, blistering speed, dazzling power. MAN OF THE MATCH!
A very tough match to start the season for the Under 9s, and Whiteley's power won through decisively, but that's not to say that Lee Rangers didn't play well. It would have been all too easy for the home team to resign themselves to defeat early on; instead they kept fighting back right to the final whistle. The highlight was probably Harvey's first goal. A massive drop kick from the keeper was expertly controlled by Connor just outside the area. Opting not to shoot himself he calmly passed it across to Harvey who planted it in the net.
Every player performed brilliantly today. It's a shame we couldn't get a few more back in the last part of the game. Let's remember that fighting spirit and play like it right from the start against Waltham Wolves in a couple of weeks.








