Lee Valley Lions

Romford Spitfires

Goals

Penalties

Lee Valley Lions

Romford Spitfires

Additional Comments:

Lee Valley took on local rivals, the Romford Spitfires, in a tense game at Lea Bridge Road on Saturday. Missing Alternate Captain James Hatfull and forward Joe Berry, who were sitting out with one match bans, the Lions knew they would have to work hard to beat a Romford side who had drawn with Basingstoke recently, the team who handed the Lions a 16–6 mauling at home.

Romford opened the scoring early, as netminder George Alley couldn’t hold on to a fierce shot from Mills and the rebound was collected by Grinnell who had an easy tap in to score. Lee Valley worked hard but the Romford goalie was setting out his store as he made some good saves, yet it was the crossbar that saved him as Theo Abban hit a great shot. The Lions equalised on a power play through Stas Prokofiev in the 17th minute and this was the way the score was to remain until the first break, although the Lions had three more good scoring opportunities. Shots from JJ McGrath, Nick Alley (a great defence-splitting pass from Scott Pollak) and a combined effort from Michael Jacobs and Scott Beeson were all foiled by Clements in the Romford net.

Almost straight from the restart whistle Lee Valley scored, as JJ McGrath who was hustling behind the net, reversed on the play and came from behind the goalie who was out of position. He was stranded guarding the other side of the net leaving JJ an easy tap in. A minute later there were penalties being dished out when Fedotovas was cross-checked from behind, Nick Alley went to his aid only to receive a punch for his efforts. A Romford player was ejected for fighting, and with three other penalties being assessed, the teams were at even strength. Michael Ranby was called for interference soon after and the Spitfires scored on their power play.

Lee Valley slowly began to get the upper hand over the next ten minutes and the advantage was pressed home when Michael Ranby forced his way through the Romford defence and laid a pass right on the stick of JJ McGrath who one-timed home. The Lions went into the second break with a one-goal advantage that fans thought should have been at least three – and were it not for the prowess of the Romford netminder, it would have been.

The final session proved to be the most telling as Lee Valley scored three more goals with just one consolation marker for the team from up the A12. It could have been more as it appeared that the Lions would surely score early in the period as Paul O’Neill was handed a golden opportunity. He found himself alone at the far post with a gaping hole just waiting to receive the puck, but as the pass arrived the puck went up on its rim, bobbled as he was about to hit it and went just wide. However, with a 5-on-4 advantage just moments later the Lions’ power play unit was working the puck neatly. Fedotovas hit a rocket from the blue line which flew past the Romford goalie. Stas Prokofiev scored his second two minutes later and the Lions completed the victory with a Michael Ranby goal, again coming from a well-worked power play.

Victory is always welcome, but it is just so much sweeter when against local rivals. It seems that the team is settling into the systems of second season coach Serge Smolenko, who along with import captain Scott Pollak, has brought fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm for fitness conditioning to the team.Referees were Hayden and Hogarth.

Thanks to Tony Boot for writing this match report.