Ian Abrahams pull out of the warm up with an unfortunate reoccurrence of an ankle injury. Ian Turkentine returned to captain the side in the absence of Danny Dye. Lions Manager Mickey French was ref due to shortage of ref's in the league at the moment.
Due to two goalkeepers being out with injury from last weeks game, Lions handed a debut to Graham Ashley. The Lions starting line up was Ashley, A.Jefferies, Fildes, Ian Collier, P.Farr, D.Farr, D.Jefferies, Turkentine, Canning, Pearson,Harvey.
Lions started positively, with the midfield moving the ball through the SBS half. Early chances fell to Canning and Danny Jefferies, testing the keeper from outside the box. SBS adjusted to the conditions and managed a couple of counter attacks as the ball zipped along the wet surface in the drizzle. The Lions defence was well organised as Ashley commanded from the back.
John Harvey's industry up front paid off with some delicate interplay with the midfield, saw the ball zip across the SBS penalty area, a defender was unable to clear and Turkentine's outstretched leg guided the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half started with further pressure in the SBS half, with most of the chances coming from the Lions midfield with Danny Jefferies scoring the Lions second. Harrison replaced David Farr. Gardner and French replaced Pearson and Collier, to keep up the tempo. Lions sensed more goals as SBS tired as they unfortunately did not have any substitutes.
Ashley's long goal kick almost caught out the goalkeeper at the other end. Then last weeks man of the match Adam Jefferies shook off a knock to burst through the midfield to test the keeper from outside the box. Turkentine got his second after the ball zipped around like a pinball in the SBS penalty area.
Gardner made a late run down the left and won a corner to keep the pressure on. SBS still managed to launch counter attacks but were unable to break down a well organised Lions defence.
Danny Jefferies did what he had been threatening to do all game, he worked some space and chipped the goalkeeper from 40 yards for his second after spotting the keeper off his line.
In almost the last kick of the game, Lions had a penalty claim for handball, but the linesman had spotted an offside.
All in all is was great for the Lions to get their first win and first points of the season and build confidence for next week. The million dollar question is "Who will be playing in goal nex week?"
Managers Man of the Match was awarded to Graham Ashley for a debut clean sheet and a convincing display. He wins this weeks meal for two in the Red Lion.
(Sub not used Pete Jordan.)
