Goals

Penalties

Lee Valley Lions

Crowtree Chiefs

Additional Comments:

Here’s what was printed in the match programme…

“Tonight we have a visit from the Crowtree Chiefs and their Braves in a league match. We welcome them on their first appearance at the Lions’ den and look forward to seeing an interesting game. On the Lions’ first trip to Sunderland we lost our first league match and were scalped 10 to 5. ‘Now that we know their strength, which is considerable,’ said Dave Wurthman, ‘we shall take especial care of defensive assignments and hopefully reverse the score.’

“…Our last league match at home against Glasgow was disappointing for Lee Valley supporters. The Lions suffered a momentary lapse of concentration in the last period and Dynamos took advantage of it by levelling the score and then getting the vital winning goal. The Scotsmen must have been well pleased with their London weekend because the following night they thrashed Richmond Flyers, who seem to be wingless this season, by 34 goals to 3!

“Although there were few penalties incurred during the Lions game against Glasgow it was, as we all witnessed, a hard and sometimes brutal struggle. Spectators will have noticed how blood-stained Bill Watson’s shirt front became as the match continued. The injury was caused by a deep cut on Bill’s chin, administered by a Glasgow player’s stick blade which speared Bill. The referees missed this offence so no penalty was levied. All praise to brave Bill, who continued with the game, but later had 5 stitches in his chin when coach Dave took him to the hospital.

“Right here and now, the opportunity will be taken to remark upon the use of hockey sticks as weapons. This practice is deplorable and cowardly. Any player who raises his stick against another, even in a threatening gesture, should be sent off with a match penalty.

“Lots of players have lost teeth, had noses broken and faces lacerated and it is generally accepted as being part of the game, but as most of these injuries were sustained by the use of high sticks there is no reason to accept this philosophy. After all, a puck is on the ice almost 99% of the game and this is where a stick blade should be also. When a player loses an eye, as has happened in this country and overseas, then the horror of high sticks is forcibly brought home to us and referees become far more vigilant.

“Let us hope for a keen sportsmanlike match tonight without unnecessary rough play. There are risks involved in any body contact sport but deliberate fouls are despicable.

“Hockey is an expensive sport in all respects for both rink management and players and we are continually looking for player sponsors to assist them in the replacement of worn or damaged equipment. If there is a representative of any organisation with us tonight who might consider sponsorship of any individual, our Ice Centre Manager, Mike Smith, would be pleased to offer details. Geof Williams is additionally sponsored by the Waltham Forest Guardian.”

Unfortunately, despite the programme plea for a sportsmanlike game, the Chiefs, clearly losing in the final period, decided to attack Lee Valley players outrageously, as noted in the following home match’s programme.

Referee for this match was Harris, Linesmen were Johnston and Burton.