Today was the crowning glory of what has been a truly exceptional season for the London Lions Under-14s, as we swept aside a highly-rated Chelmsford City side with a ruthless 4-0 display to be crowned EJA Champion of Champions.

A cup final. A showdown between two title-winning sides. A Chelmsford City team chasing a historic treble. But this was no ordinary match. This was about proving – once and for all – who the best team in the Eastern Junior Alliance really is.

And now there can be no doubt!

From the first whistle to the last, our Lions were simply magnificent. A complete performance of maturity, composure, and sheer footballing brilliance. Chelmsford, already league and cup winners, were expected to provide the toughest of tests. But our boys made them look like just another hurdle in what has been a season of triumph after triumph.

It was total football from start to finish.

It was a competitive match, it was physical, but it was clear we had come to play our game, let the ball do the work and let football be the winner. Confident in possession, fierce in the tackle, and incisive in attack – this was a team completely in tune with itself and at exactly the right time of the season.

At the back, Dylan put in his best performance of the season. Calm, commanding, and always in control, he marshalled the defence superbly well. Zach Spillman, ever dependable, partnered him with trademark pace and strength, and when Skipper Sam came on, there was absolutely never any danger of losing the clean sheet with another immaculate performance.

Colbie, Max, Alfie – whoever stepped in, they didn’t miss a beat. This was a backline that refused to give Chelmsford even a sniff of a chance. Alfie was superb down the right channel both in defence and attack and was determined not to be beaten and won challenge after challenge. Charlie put in another domineering and powerful performance refusing to be beaten and throwing himself into tackles as if his life depended on it and when he won the ball he kept it simple and always retained possession. He was as solid and reliable as he always has been throughout his many years in this team !

Behind the defence, Blake in goal quite simply did what he had to do, showed good feet and strong decision making starting off many of our attacking moves from his area.

in midfield, the quartet of Jasper, Jadon, Jamie and Levi ran the show. Every battle was theirs. Every loose ball snapped up. Every forward move started with them. And ahead of them, the attacking unit of Saul, Zac Lissner, Zachy Landy, and Aden were simply unplayable.

Excellent movement and link up play with the midfield had us all purring with delight on the sidelines.

It was only a matter of time before the breakthrough came.

A well-delivered corner from Colbie found Jayden at the back post, who – having already won multiple aerial duels – rose highest again to nod the ball down into the surface. It bounced perfectly for Saul, who reacted quickest to head past the keeper from close range. 1-0, and fully deserved.

Soon after, Saul struck again, with a lovely team move. Going from back to front a 13 pass move that started with Blake in goal eventually ended up with Saul – a mazy run and a burst of pace down the left, cutting inside and calmly slotting past the keeper to make it two.

Jasper, yet again, made it 3-0 before the break with a trademark strike – winning possession high, dancing past a challenge, and delightfully curling into the top corner from the edge of the box. How many times have we seen that this season ?!?!

Half-time: London Lions 3-0 Chelmsford City

It could have been more. It probably should have been more. We were flying. Chelmsford were shell-shocked.

The second half brought more of the same. Control, poise, and class. Chelmsford tried to rally, but they had no answers. Our Lions were too strong, too slick, too well-drilled.

And when Aden finished off a flowing move with an excellent strike to make it 4-0, the game was done. The trophy was won.

The Boys carried on pressing and playing some lovely stuff, and yet again it made no difference as to who was on the pitch. We freely rotated and it was seamless, but in the end we settled for 4 goals without conceding.

The final whistle brought wild celebrations, and rightly so. This wasn’t just a win. This was a statement.

A performance for the ages. A clean sheet. A four-goal haul. And above all, a team playing football the way it should be played – together, fearlessly, and with real joy. Jasper came off the pitch midway through the second half and said “That’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a football pitch”. I think actually that summed today up perfectly. Quite Brilliant.

Scouts in the stands, EJA officials on the sidelines – all left in awe of what they had just witnessed.

Compliments came thick and fast.
This London Lions team haven’t just won matches this season – they’ve earned admiration and respect across the league. And today, they put the perfect seal on a season to remember.

London Lions – 2024/25 U14 EJA Champion of Champions.

Really truly well done to all the boys , we couldn’t be prouder !

If Carlsberg did football teams… you know the rest. ??

Have a great break !