Additional Comments:

For their first match of 2009 the Lions travelled up the M4 to face Swindon ENL Wildcats, a team that had provided very close games on the two previous occasions.

The Wilcats proved to be tricky customers once more, staving off several Lee Valley attacks in the first few minutes, despite being short-handed almost continuously. One attempt by the Lions hit the post but it was Michael Jacobs who eventually found the back of the net, taking advantage of an accurate pass from Stas Prokofiev and breaking away to score from a powerful slapshot at 09:29.

Up to this time Andrew Boot had been largely untroubled in the Lee Valley net. However, with Rob Courtman sidelined in the penalty box, the Wildcats managed to equalise with a straight and seemingly easy shot which left Boot motionless. The goal was scored by Jamie Newton and assisted by Ian Clark. Swindon soon took the lead as some forceful play paid dividends, their second goal at 15:49 being scored by Sam Feeney and assisted by Will Crowder.

Frustrations began to show among some of the Lions as the Wildcats put their third goal away at 25:09, the scorer being Newton again, assists this time awarded to Stephen Whitfield and James Burnett. Lee Valley were handed a 4-mins advantage as Swindon’s Grant Richardson received 2-mins for slashing and 2-mins for charging. Unfortunately the Lions failed to maximise the powerplay, spending much of their time unchallenged in their own defensive zone.

Swindon Wildcats, however, wasted no time when they found themselves on a powerplay soon after. As Ashlee Cave sat out 2-mins for tripping, two shots were fired at Andrew Boot in quick succession, the second deflecting off of the bar. Undeterred, Swindon’s Joe Oliver was left unmarked right in front of the net and his shot got past Boot at 33:01. At 35:29 Stas Prokofiev scored an impressive long-range, slapshot goal that was assisted by Nick Alley.

The Lions were two goals down heading into the final period, but they had a lucky escape 3-mins in as another Swindon slapshot hit the crossbar. After a lull Swindon scored again as Andrew Boot made the initial save but was in no position to get to the rebound. The goal was Jamie Newton’s hat-trick, scored at 44:09 and assisted by James Burnett and Scott Gough.

Lee Valley found themselves down to three men as both Michael Jacobs and Gennadi Yufit languished in the sin bin. The visitors handled being short-handed effectively but almost as soon as they were back to full strength Swindon struck again. Grant Richardson had been left unmarked in front of the net and the Wildcats’ 6th goal was scored in familiar fashion at 49:18.

The Lions didn’t give up and some minor relief came at 53:12 as Nick Alley knocked the puck past Jamie Thompson in the Wildcats’ net, the assist going to Gennadi Yufit. Joe Berry tightened the score further with a powerplay goal at 54:16 but sadly it was a case of too little, too late and Lee Valley were forced to concede defeat. Nonetheless, considering the team were lacking the likes of defencemen Romanas Fedotovas and James Hatfull, those who played put in a credible performance. Particular mention goes to the efforts of Ruslanas Jegovoras, who was returning to play following an extended period of injury.

Referee was Brown, Linesmen were Gillingham and Fusco.