Additional Comments:

The Lions’ dismal start to the new season continued over the weekend as a lack of players through injury and work commitments played havoc once again. The team was only able to ice two lines on Saturday against local rivals, the Romford Spitfires and the situation got even worse for the away game at Solent on Sunday. Defenceman Ruslanas Jegovoras sustained a shoulder injury and two others guys were unable to make the trip, so the Lions had to cancel the game and concede a 5–0 loss.

Romford had a good compliment of skaters and iced a full three lines, which again took its toll on the weakened Lions team over the course of the game, but the first period was an evenly matched affair. Certainly, Lee valley looked the better team during this session and had a few good chances, although it seemed that the puck was never destined to find the back of the net.

Stas Prokofiev and Freddie Trimble both had good opportunities turned away and Prokofiev had an open net in front of him when Michael Jacobs put the puck onto his backhand, but it bobbled as he went to slot it home and it rolled off his stick wide of the goal. Ashley Curtin again featured heavily in the Lions’ attack, skating clear on two occasions but shooting into the goalie’s catcher. His luck turned at 16:50 as a defence-splitting pass from Trimble again put him in the clear and he left the Romford goalie stranded. The Lions went into the first break with a one goal lead which could easily have been two or three more.

The second session was another close-run affair as once again Lee Valley had a good proportion of the play. This must have caused the Romford coach some consternation, as he had been heard saying before the game started that they expected another “walk over.” They pulled level inside the first minute, but the Lions were quick to counter attack, with Trimble again coming close. The Spitfires edged ahead on a powerplay with Romanas Fedotovas in the box in the 33rd minute, as two Lee Valley players were tied up on the boards and the shot was effectively screened from Andrew Boot in the Lions goal by one of his defencemen.

The third period was all about goals as both teams scored freely, adding excitement to an already closely-fought match. In the end you could probably blame the final result on tired legs again as the Lions were skating every other shift, but it was close and Romford were on the back foot as the Lions scored three unanswered goals in a two minute blitz.

Early on the Spitfires had a four-on-one break, putting Adrian Woodyard clear on Boot, who pulled off a fantastic glove save to deny the Romford player. Just four minutes in, the team from up the A12 increased their lead, as a pass from Joe Berry went astray and the Romford recipient wristed top corner.

A minute and a half later, the Lions’ fans were treated to two minutes of non-stop cheering. First, with good work from Stas Prokovief and Romanas Fedotovas, Freddie Trimble scored with a clean shot over the goalie’s glove. Michael Jacobs had a shot well saved, then James Scott-Joseph released Ashley Curtin who found Trimble again. His first shot was saved but he pounced on his own rebound and made no mistake with the second effort to draw the Lions level. Lee valley edged ahead when Michael Jacobs put a cross ice on the stick of Prokofiev who made no mistake.

Unfortunately the euphoria was short lived as Romford went one better and scored four goals to put the game out of the reach of the Lions. Tiredness got the better of the Lions and they were missing Ruslanas Jegorovas, who picked up a shoulder injury in the second, weakening the defence and again clearing the puck from the defensive zone and around the goal was a major problem.

Stas Prokofiev picked his second goal late on to pull the game back to a two-goal gap, the Lions pulled their netminder for the extra attacker to try to rescue the game, but this was to no avail and the final score ended 7–5 to Romford.

It was a great effort from a team weakened by injury and missing guys who had work commitments. It also must have been a reality check to the Romford team who expected an easy victory. But without an influx of new players the Lions are going to continue to suffer defeats, and even worse the inability to fulfil fixtures, much to the disappoinment and embarrassment of the existing squad.

Referee was Dodsworth, Linesmen were Tottman and Cooper.

Thanks to Tony Boot for writing this match report.