Lion's Trade Diamond's For Three Points

I.Brown was today's referee at Ridlin's End against White Diamond Security.

Lion's starting eleven: Gardner, A.Jefferies, French, Fildes, P.Farr, Crisp, Dye(C), D.Jefferies, Canning, Burnage, Harvey.

Breachwood started well and had the early chances. Ian Canning, Danny Jefferies tested the keeper with some early shots from outside the box. Burnage went down the right wing after flicking the ball round the defender on the turn whilst running the other side of him to collect the ball. Pete Farr was also able to get forward from defence to get in on the act for a shot at goal. The breakthrough finally came when clever passing from Pete Farr and Danny Jefferies, set off John Harvey into the Diamond box. Not for the first time this season Harvey found himself one on one with the goalkeeper. He dragged the ball wide to open up the angle as the keeper raced off his line to meet him, only for Harvey to place a delicate chip into the back of the White Diamond net for one nil.

Ten minutes later Burnage found space on the right wing to whip in a cross to the edge of the Diamond box. Graham Crisp arrived to meet it. The Lion's supporters watched in awe at his technique as he opened up his body allowing him to thunder a perfect volley into the Diamond net. Real Roy of the Rovers stuff.

White Diamond began to get more into the game as the pressured the Lion's forwards. Turning defence into attack they had several chances down the right wing only for the experienced Andy Fildes to shepherd the ball out to safety. Fildes and French acted on instinct to block shots from close range. It took some dramatic saves from Wayne Gardner to ensure the Lion's kept their two nil lead at half time.

In the second half Ali Collins replaced Pete Farr.

Breachwood let slip a goal to White Diamond when their substitute capitalised on loose ball in the Lion's defence and fire home against Gardner.

Breachwood began to up the tempo again with a sterling performance from Captain Dye winning the ball with superb tackling and then setting up Ian Canning down the left, whose trickery got the better of the full back for a chance at goal. Adam Jefferies was able to support the midfield more as Lion's pushed for more goals. A pass from the left found the feet of Adam Burnage on the right just inside the box. His right foot let fly a low shot that a defending leg couldn't stop from zipping into the back of the net for a three one lead.

As the game wore on Lion's began to find more space as the battling Diamond defence dropped off a little. A perfect scenario for AliCollins who needs little invitation inside the penalty area. He feinted to pass one way before reversing the ball high into the roof of the Diamond Goal for four one.

Lion's won a free kick on the edge of the box. Collins looked set to score his second as he hit a low shot around the wall but the Diamond goalkeeper managed to get down low to prevent the ball from going over the line.

Harrison replaced Crisp and Rob Pearson came on to the left wing.
White Diamond though losing seemed determined to salvage something from the game with a sustained ten minute period of pressure but French and Adam Jefferies were able to head clear. Then Diamond had a number of successive corners. Gardner punched a couple clear, another came out to to a Diamond player on the edge of the box, whose shot rattled off the Lion's crossbar.

White Diamond finally scored a second goal with a low shot from the edge of a crowded penalty area. The sea of players meant Gardner saw it late and was unable to stop it going into the net for four two.

Back at the other end Ali Collins got clear of the defenders as he took the ball to the bye line before cutting a neat cross back into the area for Danny Jefferies to steer home for 5-2 before the final whistle.

Substitutes not used: D.Farr, Collier

John Harvey was the Man of the Match and gets a meal for two in the Red Lion.

Another big thank you to our travelling supporters that included, Ken, Laura, Beeny, Ash & Pete Jordan.