While there were some that predicted that Uxbridge Town would be a mid-table side this season, no one could have foreseen just how successful the team would be in their first AFPL season. The Lions currently sit in 5th place in the league with a 13-1-5 record, only 4 points behind Rebel Nation FC for the league lead. Meanwhile, they are 0-1-7 in SuperCup action, and will miss the knockout stage of the tournament.
Club President Eadburt Clement expressed excitement about the club's progress in a recent press availability. "This has by all accounts been a very successful season so far" said Clement. "Our stadium is now a building worthy of top-tier football, the supporters have been phenomenal, and the play on the pitch has been world class. Our hope is that we can continue to grow and improve over the course of the remainder of the season, and in the years to come."
Uxbridge has scored 45 (6th best in the league) goals thus far, while conceding 29 (12th best). While the team has been very middle of the pack in terms of generating chances (224 shots, 10th best), they have been very good about making the most of those opportunities (120 shots on goal, T6th best). Uxbridge has only received 7 yellow cards and has yet to have been shown a red in league play.
Several players have stood out individually at Uxbridge thus far this season. American teenage phenom Kobe Otsuka already has 17 goals in 16 league matches played, putting him in second in the league in scoring. Otsuka has padded that total a lot recently with 8 goals in his last 3 league matches. Not to be outdone, midfielder Lyle Maigny has 11 goals, putting him tied for 6th in the league, with a particular knack for putting free kick opportunities to the back of the net. Forwards Isham Eggleston and Warrick Dericott have 5 goals each. Young goalkeeper Wynward Garnis has 4 clean sheets to his name in his first 16 AFPL matches.
Manager MacCallum Barry, favoured by many to be the league's manager of the year, had nothing but praise for his team thus far. "It really continues to be an incredible year" said Barry after the club's 6-0 victory at Gravy FC. "The team has been gelling together so well and we have been such an impressive force on attack. It's amazing coming to training every day and seeing a squad full of players ready to go to work. It makes my life as a manager so much easier."
At just 18 years of age, defender Stephen Mill seemed an odd choice by many to be the captain of this team. But after this impressive start, Mill has been praised as an inspired team leader. "It has been a whirlwind of a year" said Mill at a recent press conference. "When I take the pitch, I know that all eleven of us know what our job is and how best to execute it. Having guys like Lyle [Maigny] and Tab [Leigh] there to guide us has been an immense help too. Can't speak highly enough about this group."
The Lions will look to continue their recent success in their next AFPL match, on the road against Narangba Henty Eagles next week.
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