Lions started with a one goal advantage due to the Invitation Cup divisional difference rule. MBDA play in the 1st Division and Lions play in the 2nd Division. MBDA had won 1 nil in a pre season friendly against the Lions at the Chapel Road ground, so it was well set for an interesting game.
The Invitation Cup was an opportunity for the Lions to rotate the squad a little. The Lions starting eleven was: Sanchez, A.Jefferies, French, Collier, P.Farr, Jordan, Harrison, Crisp, D.Jefferies, Gardner and Canning(C)
It was a bad start for the Lions, the changed system and rotation did not afford the players a chance to gel. MBDA had attacked from the kick off and a diagonal pass through the midfield picked out the MBDA centre forward, who side stepped the defence to make it one nil, and cancel out the Lions goal advantage.
The Lions tried to find their feet but another quick MBDA attack ended in another goal, but fortunately for the Lions the linesman had spotted an offside and the goal didn't stand.
However MBDA remained strong and they scored their second with a header from a corner.
Lions battled to get back into the game, Danny Jefferies linked well with Ian Canning who pulled out wide to attack down the right wing. His cross found Crisp arriving into the box to head the ball goalward, but it bounced off the bar.
MBDA hit the post from a corner but Adam Jefferies got the ball clear.
At half time the Lions changed the formation and made two changes; Burnage and Dye replacing Collier and the injured Pete Farr.
This was still a cup tie, and the Lions started the second half in a vibrant fashion, with the changes having instant effect. Harrison was back up front supporting Canning and pushing the MBDA defensive line deeper, which allowed more space for the Lions midfield to pass the ball more freely.
Burnage drifted in from the right wing and was able to curl a shot into the top lefthand corner of the MBDA net.
Confidence came back into the Lions play. Sanchez had better command of his area in goal. The defence was more assured, Graham French enjoying a return to the side, cleared any danger. Jordan found room to link with the battling Gardner playing wide and attacking down the left wing, whilst Adam Jefferies had space to play some superb passes into the channels. Dye and Crisp work the midfield to give supply to Burnage and Danny Jefferies who managed to find space behind the movement of Captain Canning and old Harrison up front.
It paid off. Defending deep from a MBDA attack,Harrison won the ball on the edge of the Lions area. It quickly swept through the Lions midfield with Canning making some excellent runs. Danny Jefferies accepted the invitation to have a shot from the edge of the area. He found the back of the MBDA net with a well placed shot.
MBDA showed their Division one calibre and continued to attack with pace. A cross from a move on the right found an unmarked player lurking at the back post to score.
MBDA were on track to win the match and draw the tie until Danny Jefferies picked up the ball on the edge of the box and nutmeg a defender. He was driven wide into the box, almost to the line, but with the advancing keeper narrowing the angle he still found the space to strike the ball on the outside of his boot across the face of the goal. The ball hit the far post and bounced into the empty net for the Lions to win the match 4-3.
Danny Jefferies got yet another Man of the Match award and wins a free meal for two in the Red Lion.
Substitutes not used: Fildes, D.Farr
Another big thank you to our Home supporters.
