Due to absent players, Inspirational Manager Mike French had to reshuffle the team in Lions first away game of the season against Newman at Peartree Park. The Referee was I.Richardson.
Lions used their fourth keeper in three games, with Graham French keeping a clean sheet. The starting line up was, French, Jordan, P Farr, Fildes, A.Jefferies, D.Farr, Harrison, D.Jefferies, Pearson, Canning(C), Harvey.
Lions started lively and getting the ball into the Newman box with a succession of free kicks and corners but all chances were straight at the keeper. Probably the best chance fell to Harrison who failed to connect as the ball flash past the goal.
Newman put together a couple of counter attacks but the final shots sailed high over the bar. Their best chance fell to the tall No16 target man whose shot from the edge of the area narrowly went over the bar.
So Nil Nil at half time.
Second half Lions were determined to get reward for their pressure, with the midfield starting to push up further. Andy Fildes kept the defence well organised to thwart any Newman threats. AJ was once more sublime in anticpating the final ball from Newman, the one time their forwards broke free, Graham French was quick off his line to stop the shot from point blank range.
The break through came from a Lions corner, which Newman failed to clear, Harrison managed to steer the ball into the bottom corner from close range.
There was more pressure to come, with Pete Farr heading close from a Pearson cross. David Farr who had kept things steady in midfield was replaced by Graham Crisp to help push the Lions advantage from the midfield.
Lions began to find more space, with Jordan linking well with Pearson down the left, who reminded everyone with what he could do as he broke down the left wing a couple of times.
On the right Captain Canning was picking up the ball from Pete Farr and interlinking with Danny Jefferies.
The Hard working Harvey broke free into the box and was unlucky not to score as the outcoming keeper saved with his knee, but as the keeper scrambled back to his line, the ball had come to Danny Jefferies who drilled the ball from the edge of the box, straight down the middle into the roof of the net to make it two nil, Newman were not beaten yet and still managed to get the ball to the tall frontman.
Lions confidence was rising, Gardner replaced Pearson, cut inside from the left and flashed a shot accoss the Newman goal which the keeper did well to save, Newman were further under pressure with Gardner's long throws into the box.
A good battling game with Lions managing to get the points with another clean sheet.
This weeks Manager's Man of the Match was Danny Jefferies who get this weeks free meal for two in the Red Lion Pub.
A big thanks to our supporters who made the away trip, especially to The Jefferies family on Julies Birthday, and also Lou French.
