Lee Valley Lions

Romford Spitfires

Goals

Penalties

Lee Valley Lions

Romford Spitfires

Additional Comments:

Nerves were on edge as the Lions faced their local rivals, Romford Spitfires, for the first time. At the Spitfires’ helm was last season’s Lions’ manager, Pete Osborne, and their squad contained a number of ex-Lions players (including new signing Jon Beckett, a player for the original Lions).

Romford, like Lee Valley, had experienced a less than successful start to the season, their only points to date coming by default from a game where their opponents had iced an unregistered player. They were, therefore, looking to save face with a local derby win against the Lions.

The style of play soon indicated that Lee Valley would dominate the game, the Lions forming a more cohesive, structured approach that would pay dividends. Over-enthusiastic refereeing meant that no fewer than six penalties had already been called by the time Paul O’Neill scored the Lions’ first goal of the game on the powerplay at 06:40, the assists going to James Hatfull and Mark Saunders.

Romford Spitfires had regular opportunities on the puck but possession was too easily regained by the home team. Andrzej Maslak demonstrated enviable agility as he took the puck up the ice and scored an incredible goal past Ben Clements from a seemingly impossible angle at 12:13. Assists this time went to Joe Berry and Rob Courtman.

Furious skating continued although the Lions appeared to slow their pace as the first period drew to a close. Despite this, Romford were unable to break through the Lions’ defence and the score remained 2-0.

The second period opened to a flurry of penalties, mostly awarded against an increasingly frustrated Spitfires side, who at one time had no fewer than four players in the sinbin. The penalties included Lions’ Andrzej Maslak receiving a bizarre 2+2+2 mins for roughing coupled with Romford’s Phil O’Neill receiving 2-mins high sticks + 2-mins roughing at the same time.

Lions seized a powerplay opportunity at 26:45 when Richard Hodge slotted the puck past Clements, assisted by Nicky Braithwaite. Just over two minutes later and another powerplay goal was in the net, this time scored by Andy Watt and assisted by Scott Beeson.

Beeson was firing on all four cylinders throughout this game and his speed allowed him to blast home an awesome goal at 36:41, assisted by Paul O’Neill. Beeson then struck on a powerplay just under three minutes on, team mates Romanas Fedotovas and Andy Watt providing the assists.

Just when Glen Jackson thought he might gain his second shut-out in as many weeks (Glen had a 12-0 game playing for the Under 19s the previous Sunday) a defensive blip allowed a puck from ex-Lion Dan Sampson to squeeze through, but the scoreline still a definitive 6-1 to the Lions.

A glorious first home victory was in sight and it was Romanas Fedotovas who finished off the scoring at 41:33, assisted by Paul O’Neill. The Lions were able to keep the Spitfires at bay with relative ease and coasted through the final 20 minutes, despite both teams suffering heavily from somewhat unnecessary penalties.

Man of the Match for Lee Valley deservedly went to Scott Beeson, although Paul O’Neill was an equally worthy contender.

Referee was Szucs, Linesmen were Holtham and Goebel.