20/09/2026
💙⚽ GRIMBARIANS v LIONESSES ⚽💙
Game 3 | The Barretts | Sunday 20th September 2026
☀️ Sunny • 15°C • Breezy • 10am Kick-Off
Game three of the season saw our Grimsby United Grimbarians back at The Barretts for another Sunday morning of football, sunshine, plenty of running and, as always, plenty of noise from the sidelines! 📣⚽
Kian was away today, so we were missing him from the squad — hopefully we'll see you back with us next time, Kian! 💙
It was also great to have Toby back, joining:
Harlow, Henry, Noah, Mousa, George, Zak, Leo and Daniel.
And before we get into the football, a huge thank you to our referee, coaches, parents, friends and family for all the support and encouragement. 👏💙
These boys are only ten, and having a group of people behind them every week makes such a difference.
⚽ QUARTER ONE — LET'S GET GOING!
We started with Harlow in goal, Noah and Henry in defence, Toby in midfield, Leo and Daniel out wide and Mousa leading the line, with George and Zak ready to make their impact.
The opening minutes were nicely balanced, with both sides battling for possession.
Noah and Henry were straight into their defensive duties, putting in some important clearances, while Toby worked hard in the middle to help link the play.
Out wide, Leo and Daniel were looking to get forward whenever they could, while Mousa was doing what Mousa does best — battling away and making life difficult for the defenders! 💪
Mousa produced the first real shot of the game, getting himself into a good position before sending his effort just wide.
The Lionesses then had an opportunity of their own, but their effort went over.
At the other end, Noah delivered a good kick-in which just needed the slightest touch from someone in front of goal. So close!
The Lionesses began to put some pressure on and produced a dangerous cross-shot, but Harlow was ready, making an excellent save to keep the ball out of the top corner. 🧤🔥
Unfortunately, the resulting corner was knocked into the box and, despite Harlow almost keeping it out, the ball crossed the line.
Grimbarians 0–1 Lionesses
There was another dangerous moment in defence before the ball eventually went out of play to bring the first quarter to an end.
A competitive start and plenty for the boys to build on. 💙
⚽ QUARTER TWO — ZAK LEVELS IT! 🎉
George and Zak came on and immediately got stuck in.
The Grimbarians produced a lovely little kick-off routine, although the Lionesses soon came forward themselves.
They hit the top of the bar with a great effort, but the Grimbarians didn't panic.
A formation change saw Noah push further into midfield, where he continued to show his strength and energy, while Henry was again producing those huge clearances that have become something of a trademark! 💥
Daniel was showing some lovely touches out on the wing and Leo continued working hard to give the team an attacking option.
Then Zak got a shot away after some good work from Leo, forcing an excellent save and winning a corner.
Daniel delivered it and Leo met the ball with a volley — unfortunately it didn't quite have enough power, but it showed the boys were starting to put the Lionesses under pressure.
George was busy in the middle, helping move the ball forward and looking for opportunities to get Zak and the others into attacking positions.
Then came a huge chance...
Zak hit the inside of the post! 😱
For a second, it looked like it was in!
The pressure continued. Noah had an effort blocked before the ball fell kindly to Zak...
⚽💥 GOOOOOOOAL! ZAK! 💥⚽
Zak found the back of the net to bring us level!
And a special mention for Noah, who supplied the assist. 🎯👏
1–1!
The boys had worked their way back into the game.
Unfortunately, the Lionesses responded almost immediately and regained the lead.
Grimbarians 1–2 Lionesses
Mousa came back into the action as the boys looked for another response, but the ball eventually went out and brought the quarter to an end.
HALF-TIME: GRIMBARIANS 1–2 LIONESSES
Still plenty to play for! 💙
⚽ QUARTER THREE — POSTS & CORNERS! 🚩
The Lionesses attacked straight away, but their effort went wide.
The Grimbarians responded with some excellent work from Mousa, who produced a great run down the wing and fired the ball across before the keeper made the save.
George was also becoming increasingly influential, producing some lovely play in the middle and threading a ball through to Zak, who got his shot away but couldn't quite generate enough power.
At the back, Noah was putting in another strong defensive performance, while Henry continued to battle away and make sure the Lionesses didn't get things all their own way.
Daniel delivered another good kick-in before getting a shot away himself, but the keeper stood strong.
Then...
💥 OFF THE POST! 😱
A long ball hit the left post.
So unlucky!
Mousa, now operating on the right, got another shot away, but once again the Lionesses' keeper was equal to it.
The Grimbarians then went on a little corner-kick spree...
One corner... another corner... and ANOTHER! 🚩🚩🚩
Three in a row!
Daniel met one with a volley but couldn't quite keep it on target.
Leo continued to work hard out wide, looking to make himself available and help get the team forward whenever possible.
Another attack saw Daniel try a right-footed effort which went just wide.
For large parts of the quarter, the boys were holding the Lionesses really well.
Unfortunately, the visitors found an opening and finished it.
1–3.
Then another strong Lionesses attack ended with a cracking finish.
1–4.
Despite the scoreline, the Grimbarians continued to attack, with Mousa producing another strong effort which was saved.
Henry came on for Toby, and the boys kept battling until the whistle.
END OF Q3: GRIMBARIANS 1–4 LIONESSES
⚽ QUARTER FOUR — NEVER STOP! 💙
The final quarter saw Toby and Zak rested before the boys got back to work.
Henry decided he wasn't finished with the attacking business either! 😂
He drove forward through the middle and fired a long-range effort wide.
Then another...
And another...
The third one was closer!
Henry had clearly decided that today was shooting practice! 🎯😂
At the other end, Harlow made another good save, while the Grimbarians somehow survived a proper bit of pinball in their own box before finally getting the ball clear! 😅
Zak came back on for George, while Toby returned for Leo.
It was great to see Toby back in the action and he immediately tried to make something happen with a forward run.
The boys continued to dig in.
Zak, Toby and Mousa nearly combined for another goal, with Mousa's effort going just wide.
The Lionesses eventually added another goal to make it 1–5, but there was absolutely no sign of the Grimbarians giving up.
They defended a quick kick-in well, survived another corner and then produced one last little attack down the left.
And then...
🏁 FULL TIME!
GRIMBARIANS 1–5 LIONESSES
💙 BUT HERE'S THE THING...
Three games.
Three results that haven't gone our way.
But these boys are TEN YEARS OLD.
They're learning.
They're developing.
They're trying different positions.
They're learning how to play together.
And most importantly...
THEY'RE HAVING FUN PLAYING FOOTBALL. ⚽😁💙
Today we saw Harlow making excellent saves, Henry defending, clearing and even deciding he was a striker for the fourth quarter! 😂
We saw Noah putting in a strong defensive performance, moving into midfield and producing the assist for Zak's goal.
We saw Mousa battling up front and producing some excellent runs and shots from the wing.
We saw George working hard in the middle and creating opportunities with some lovely passing.
We saw Toby return to the squad and get straight back into the action.
We saw Zak hit the post, keep going and then score our goal! ⚽🔥
We saw Leo working hard out wide, making himself available and getting involved in the attacking play.
And we saw Daniel producing good touches, dangerous kick-ins, corners, volleys and shots as he continued to look for a way through.
Every single one contributed.
Every single one battled.
Every single one kept going.
And that's something to be proud of. 💙👏
🏆 TODAY'S AWARDS
⭐ Parents' Award — NOAH
A fantastic all-round performance, with strong defending, plenty of energy and a brilliant assist for Zak's goal. 👏
⭐ Coaches' Award — GEORGE
For his effort, energy and willingness to get involved and make things happen. 👏
Well deserved, boys! 🏆
💙⚽ KEEP GOING, GRIMBARIANS! ⚽💙
Three games doesn't define a season.
And three results certainly don't define a group of ten-year-olds.
The boys will win games.
They'll lose games.
They'll score goals.
They'll miss chances.
They'll make mistakes.
They'll learn.
And they'll get better.
But the most important thing is that they keep turning up, keep supporting each other and keep enjoying their football.
So let's keep cheering.
Keep encouraging.
Keep laughing.
Keep learning.
And keep having fun. 😁💙
RUN. PLAY. LEARN. SUPPORT. SMILE. REPEAT. ⚽🔥
A massive thank you once again to the coaches, referee, parents, family and friends for everything you do for these boys.
The results will come in time.
For now...
WELL PLAYED, GRIMBARIANS! 💙👏⚽
HEADS UP. CHESTS OUT. ON TO THE NEXT ONE! 🚀
