Match Report - Men’s League Round 1

The first round of CWFF Mens League matches were played out on a bright sunny Sunday morning at Fair Game Sports Centre, Paphos, starting promptly at 9.00am and utilising the 2 pitches available. All matches were 10 minutes each way with a 2 minute halftime. All teams were briefed at the beginning that the referees were going to be strict and would be applying all the rules throughout all matches.

The Polis and Latchi Lions squad was made up of  Mike, Mark B, Mark P, Mick, Malcolm, Simon, Steve and Kevin.

First match - Akamas Turtles v Polis & Latchi Lions. Lost: 2-1
Lions started off quite nervously but relaxed and picked the pace up in the second half. Akamas took a 1-0 lead but the Lions soon pegged Akamas back with a fine goal from Mike after good team play in the build up to the goal to bring the match level at 1-1. Even with Mark P sin binned for 2 minutes, Lions were still creating shooting opportunities. Unfortunately we couldn’t convert them and were then caught out with Akamas taking a late 2-1 lead that they held on to until the end.

Second match - Paphos Pirates v Polis & Latchi Lions. Draw: 0-0
The Lions started more positively and were playing some good passing and moving football as well as getting shots on goal, going in at the interval 0-0. The game was finely balanced when the Pirates had a goal disallowed for encroachment into the box. Soon after the Pirates had a player sent-off which resulted in him taking no further part in any of the matches on the day. Unfortunately, the Lions could not get the winning goal that their football deserved.

Third match - Paphos Phantoms v Polis & Latchi Lions. Won: 1-0
The game started with both teams creating chances but both goalkeepers did their job, keeping the score to 0-0 at half-time. The Phantoms were awarded a penalty half way through the second half but Kevin made amends for giving the penalty away by saving the shot. Polis deservedly took the lead with a fine strike from Simon, with the goal coming about from good build up play to the goal. Yet again the Lions were getting shots away throughout the match.

Fourth match - Aphrodite Wanderers v Polis & Latchi Lions. Lost: 1-0
This match was going to be a tough ask, but the Lions matched Aphrodite with good football with all the Lions players supporting each other in taking the game to Aphrodite. How the game was 0-0 at half-time was surprising with Lions getting shots on target and hitting the post on a couple of occasions. The second half saw Aphrodite take a 1 goal lead with a fine shot. The Lions impressed by the way they tried to force an equaliser but came up just short. This was the Lions best performance of the day

Fifth match - ENAD Panthers v Polis & Latchi Lions. Lost: 1-0
The Lions last match was against local rivals ENAD Panthers, and both teams were up for this match. The Lions again were getting shots in at the ENAD goalie and playing well overall. Both goalies pulled off good saves throughout this match keeping the score line 0-0 at halftime. It was more of the same in the second half. Unfortunately in the second half Mike had a cracking goal ruled out for running. The ENAD goalie was the busier of the two goalies as the Lions team took the match to ENAD, but after a mistake from the Latchi goalkeeper ENAD took a 1-0 lead that they held on to.

A tremendous effort was put in by the Polis & Latchi Lion players with some of them carrying knocks before play even started.

 A big shout out has to go to all the Polis & Latchi Lions supporters who turned up to support the Men’s team. As per usual you were raucous! Thank you.