Additional Comments:

The Lions faced an uphill battle from the start in this game as on top of the long journey to Hampshire, they had only 9 skaters against a Solent side that at full capacity. Ashlee Cave was sidelined through a hand injury picked up the previous evening, leaving only the “faithful few” to achieve a decent result. It would have taken a miracle f or Lee Valley to have picked up 2 points from such oppressive circumstances, so to lose 4-7 against the team sitting third in the league table was commendable and an indication of how much effort was put in.

The first period was an even-handed battle until Kristopher Abbott put the puck past Daniel Artis at 18:18. It was initially thought that the goal hadn’t been given, so the visitors were surprised to find the scoreboard showing 1-0 to Solent when they returned for the second period.

Two goals by Dean Phillimore, assisted by Andrew Campbell, put the Devils 3-0 up but just 16 seconds after the third goal, Stas Prokofiev found himself on a break-away and deked Solent’s goalie through the five-hole.

Solent swiftly followed with another two goals, the first from Arric Stafford, the second a hat-trick for Dean Phillimore. At 36:05 Nick Alley embarrassed Martin Clayton in the Solent net, scoring unassisted with a slapshot hit from the centre line.

The final period saw a change of netminder for the Lions, Daniel Artis being replaced by Andrew Boot. Just 43 seconds in Ashley Curtin narrowed the score to 3-5 with a close-range, unassisted goal. It took the Devils less than a minute to widen the score again, Kristopher Abbott scoring with the assistance of Andrew Goddard.

A fourth and final Lee Valley goal was scored at 43:39 as netminder Andrew Boot passed the puck to Stas Prokofiev at centre ice, Prokofiev took the puck up and scored off his own rebound. Despite Boot’s obvious input, the goal was – along with all three earlier Lee Valley goals – classed as unassisted.

It was left to James Bennett to end proceedings at 56:29, his goal being assisted by Jamie Fitzpatrick.

Referee was Brown, Linesmen were Matthews and Durham.