British Lion Football Club
Chippenham & District Sunday Football League Division 3
The Cavaliers 1 - 5 - British Lion
Adam Bewley’s new look young Lions started their pre-season with an impressive 5-1 win at fellow Division Four side, The Cavaliers.
The Lion started brightly and was not long before Aidan Almark in The Cavaliers goal was forced into action. The home keeper having to make smart saves from Danny Thompson, Andrew Webster and Jamie-Lloyd Davies. Cavaliers first real attempt came on 14 minutes when the lively Dean House drilled over Dan Sainsbury’s crossbar from 20-yards.
The opening goal came two minutes later. Webster’s drive was blocked by Almark but the quick-footed Davies was on hand to turn home the ball from close range to make it 1-0 to the Lion. The second came four minutes later and this time Davies was the provider. The young striker’s cross was sublimely flicked past Almark at the near post by fullback Brett Weaving.
The Lion further extended their lead on 27 minutes with Davies again showing his predatory touch in front of goal. A long ball look like it was going to harmlessly bounce through to Almark but Davies nipped in front of him to flick the ball past him and turn into an empty net.
Despite being forced onto the back foot form most of the opening exchanges, Cavaliers posed a threat through House when the former Potterne player was given space. After 29 minutes, he weaved past Thompson but his 25-yard drive dipped over the Lion crossbar. At the other end a Davies corner somehow eluded Webster and centre-half Jez Wiltshire when a positive touch by either would have brought a fourth goal. Two minutes later Weaving’s cross found Scott Stroud at the back post but the midfielder stood on the ball with the goal gaping.
With ten minutes left in the half Cavalier’s playmaker, Chris Underwood, tested Sainsbury with 2 35-yard free-kick but the Lion keeper made comfortable work of the save. Right on half time, it Almark who saved well when he brilliantly turned aside Davies’s 18-yard piledriver.
Both sides made many substitutions at half-time and it was Cavalier’s Damien Plunkett who tested Martin Mitchell in the Lion goal on 51 minutes. The Lion keeper safely handling the 15-yard strike and then turning over a 30-yard freekick from Underwood.
Zak Hartley hit the Cavalier post from six-yards but the miss wasn’t crucial as on the hour, the Lion made it 4-0. Wiltshire’s quick throw found Webster who deftly flicked the ball over former Lion player, Shane Holloway, before leaving Almark with no chance from 15-yards. Davies completed a well deserved hat-trick three minutes later when he robbed a Cavalier defender and then calmly rolling his shot home from the edge of the box to make it 5-0.
Webster nearly got his second with twelve minutes left when Hartley’s early cross found the veteran targetman but Almark blocked his shot with his feet. With time running out centre-half Joe Bennett rattled the Cavalier cross-bar with a header but the final goal fell to the home side. Paul Gay found a yard of space and his cross-cum-shot left Mitchell with no chance as drifted in at the far post to make 5-1.
With several players not available for this opening fixture, manager Bewley will be more than pleased with the performance from his young players many of whom showed touch and maturity on the ball beyond their years.
The Lion started brightly and was not long before Aidan Almark in The Cavaliers goal was forced into action. The home keeper having to make smart saves from Danny Thompson, Andrew Webster and Jamie-Lloyd Davies. Cavaliers first real attempt came on 14 minutes when the lively Dean House drilled over Dan Sainsbury’s crossbar from 20-yards.
The opening goal came two minutes later. Webster’s drive was blocked by Almark but the quick-footed Davies was on hand to turn home the ball from close range to make it 1-0 to the Lion. The second came four minutes later and this time Davies was the provider. The young striker’s cross was sublimely flicked past Almark at the near post by fullback Brett Weaving.
The Lion further extended their lead on 27 minutes with Davies again showing his predatory touch in front of goal. A long ball look like it was going to harmlessly bounce through to Almark but Davies nipped in front of him to flick the ball past him and turn into an empty net.
Despite being forced onto the back foot form most of the opening exchanges, Cavaliers posed a threat through House when the former Potterne player was given space. After 29 minutes, he weaved past Thompson but his 25-yard drive dipped over the Lion crossbar. At the other end a Davies corner somehow eluded Webster and centre-half Jez Wiltshire when a positive touch by either would have brought a fourth goal. Two minutes later Weaving’s cross found Scott Stroud at the back post but the midfielder stood on the ball with the goal gaping.
With ten minutes left in the half Cavalier’s playmaker, Chris Underwood, tested Sainsbury with 2 35-yard free-kick but the Lion keeper made comfortable work of the save. Right on half time, it Almark who saved well when he brilliantly turned aside Davies’s 18-yard piledriver.
Both sides made many substitutions at half-time and it was Cavalier’s Damien Plunkett who tested Martin Mitchell in the Lion goal on 51 minutes. The Lion keeper safely handling the 15-yard strike and then turning over a 30-yard freekick from Underwood.
Zak Hartley hit the Cavalier post from six-yards but the miss wasn’t crucial as on the hour, the Lion made it 4-0. Wiltshire’s quick throw found Webster who deftly flicked the ball over former Lion player, Shane Holloway, before leaving Almark with no chance from 15-yards. Davies completed a well deserved hat-trick three minutes later when he robbed a Cavalier defender and then calmly rolling his shot home from the edge of the box to make it 5-0.
Webster nearly got his second with twelve minutes left when Hartley’s early cross found the veteran targetman but Almark blocked his shot with his feet. With time running out centre-half Joe Bennett rattled the Cavalier cross-bar with a header but the final goal fell to the home side. Paul Gay found a yard of space and his cross-cum-shot left Mitchell with no chance as drifted in at the far post to make 5-1.
With several players not available for this opening fixture, manager Bewley will be more than pleased with the performance from his young players many of whom showed touch and maturity on the ball beyond their years.
Lavington Sunday 0 - 2 British Lion
Adam Bewley’s newly formed British Lion arrived at Northbrook to face Lavington in their final pre season friendly, Lavington boasted new signings Jamie Campbell and Myles Hickton, they also had guest player Jamie Bayes turning out. The visitors started early on the back foot with the impressive Bayes pulling the strings playing delicate football, but it wasn’t long before the Lion found their rhythm and got started, the opening quarter of an hour produced one gut wrecked chance when some patient build up in the centre of the park from Danny Thompson, Ashley Edwards and Kyle Braide found Brett Weaving wide right who smashed his shot on target only for the goalkeeper to push it back across goal where Braide struck the ball with venom and lashed his strike over the bar.
It wasn’t until the 15th minute that the next attempt came, after some good work Edwards was pulled back, from the resulting freekick, Thompson flighted a precision ball in for Andy Webster who lept to meet the ball with a glancing header, only for the ball to go inches wide. On 22 minutes Jez Wiltshire pulled out a fine 40 yard ball for Webster to knock down and Captain Dave Crawford to latch onto who fired his shot just wide of the goal. Weaving then picked the ball up on the half hour and skilfully took on 3 players before flashing a ball across goal, again Webster came close. Jamie-Lloyd Davies gained possession of the ball up a few minutes later and gracefully turned the right back inside out before unleashing a vicious shot which again was saved wonderfully and again Braide was in the right position only to see his effort go wide of the open goal from a couple of yards out. Lavington plugged on under the commanding pressure from the visitors and a soft free kick was cleverly disguised by Hickton to allow a thunderbolt shot which Lion goalie Dan Sainsbury comfortably watched over. Almost immediately from the resulting goal kick Lavington broke quickly and Bayes struck the ball just wide of the goal.
The visitors henchman Thompson played guest substitute Luke Enderby out wide straight from the kick off who crossed first time to find Anthony Butler who asked a good save from the home sides keeper. The first goal came on the hour after Campbell worked a move to let Bayes in, his effort was collected by Sainsbury who quickly released Davies out wide left, Davies then ran at Ian Galloway and cut inside him before unleashing an unstoppable shot to open the scoring. The second and decisive goal came minutes later, after the tireless Edwards was brought down, Webster stepped up to drive a 30 yard strike at goal which was well saved, but the prolific Davies was on cue to fire home. Hickton was pressured into dropping deep after a blissful performance by Joe Bennett to keep the goals man quiet. In the last 20 minutes, the Lion pressed on and attempted to make the scoreline bigger, with efforts from Edwards, Scott Stroud and a sharp turn and strike by Webster which was cleverly saved. With 10 minutes left Sainsbury was again put in the spotlight when Campbell fired a well struck shot from 30 yards which the brilliant Sainsbury tipped wide.
It wasn’t until the 15th minute that the next attempt came, after some good work Edwards was pulled back, from the resulting freekick, Thompson flighted a precision ball in for Andy Webster who lept to meet the ball with a glancing header, only for the ball to go inches wide. On 22 minutes Jez Wiltshire pulled out a fine 40 yard ball for Webster to knock down and Captain Dave Crawford to latch onto who fired his shot just wide of the goal. Weaving then picked the ball up on the half hour and skilfully took on 3 players before flashing a ball across goal, again Webster came close. Jamie-Lloyd Davies gained possession of the ball up a few minutes later and gracefully turned the right back inside out before unleashing a vicious shot which again was saved wonderfully and again Braide was in the right position only to see his effort go wide of the open goal from a couple of yards out. Lavington plugged on under the commanding pressure from the visitors and a soft free kick was cleverly disguised by Hickton to allow a thunderbolt shot which Lion goalie Dan Sainsbury comfortably watched over. Almost immediately from the resulting goal kick Lavington broke quickly and Bayes struck the ball just wide of the goal.
The visitors henchman Thompson played guest substitute Luke Enderby out wide straight from the kick off who crossed first time to find Anthony Butler who asked a good save from the home sides keeper. The first goal came on the hour after Campbell worked a move to let Bayes in, his effort was collected by Sainsbury who quickly released Davies out wide left, Davies then ran at Ian Galloway and cut inside him before unleashing an unstoppable shot to open the scoring. The second and decisive goal came minutes later, after the tireless Edwards was brought down, Webster stepped up to drive a 30 yard strike at goal which was well saved, but the prolific Davies was on cue to fire home. Hickton was pressured into dropping deep after a blissful performance by Joe Bennett to keep the goals man quiet. In the last 20 minutes, the Lion pressed on and attempted to make the scoreline bigger, with efforts from Edwards, Scott Stroud and a sharp turn and strike by Webster which was cleverly saved. With 10 minutes left Sainsbury was again put in the spotlight when Campbell fired a well struck shot from 30 yards which the brilliant Sainsbury tipped wide.
Somerford 2 - 4 British Lion
The night after the Devizes Carnival, British Lion travelled to Somerford for their opening game of the season, the visitors started brighter and should have been 2 up in the opening minutes, straight from kick off Andrew Webster stole the ball, flew past the defence only for Paul Kittington to parry away, minutes later Webster in an offside position walked away from a Danny Thompson through ball which Jamie Lloyd Davies struck home only to see his effort disallowed for offside. The hosts forward line consisting of Wayne Burry and Jamie Farquhson caused problems all day long, but struggled to get any strikes on the Lion goal. Wayne Burry was then played through by the ever impressive Scott Hatton, Dan Sainsbury came out of his goal to halt Burry in a situation on another day would have resulted in a spot kick.
The second half saw the introduction of Alex Surman for player/manager Adam Bewley, the game livened up and produced 6 goals, the first fell to the visitors when Davies found himself with space and fired a shot low into the corner on 56 minutes. Somerford upped the tempo and found the equaliser when the superb Kevin Jenn again flew in a pin point cross, which came back out to him on his second effort he fired a strike on goal which was saved superbly by Sainsbury but into the path of Surman who headed into his own net. Somerford minutes later went in front with a superb 25 yard strike. The Lions youngsters began to roar and soon found themselves back in the game on 75 minutes when Davies was provided the ball on the outside of the area, he proceeded out wide, with Webster in the middle and Kittington expecting a cross, Davies cleverly struck low and hard inside the near post. Captain Dave Crawford then saw his headed goal ruled out for offside. Webster, Davies and Danny Thompson all had efforts to further the score. Soon after Davies bagged his hatrick when Kyle Braide played him in after good work from Brett Weaving, Davies again shot low and hard. Sub Scott Stroud was involved in the 4th and killer goal, when after good work he played a perfectly weighted ball to Ash Edwards who precisely put the ball over for Braide to majestically at full stretch head home with a diving header.
The second half saw the introduction of Alex Surman for player/manager Adam Bewley, the game livened up and produced 6 goals, the first fell to the visitors when Davies found himself with space and fired a shot low into the corner on 56 minutes. Somerford upped the tempo and found the equaliser when the superb Kevin Jenn again flew in a pin point cross, which came back out to him on his second effort he fired a strike on goal which was saved superbly by Sainsbury but into the path of Surman who headed into his own net. Somerford minutes later went in front with a superb 25 yard strike. The Lions youngsters began to roar and soon found themselves back in the game on 75 minutes when Davies was provided the ball on the outside of the area, he proceeded out wide, with Webster in the middle and Kittington expecting a cross, Davies cleverly struck low and hard inside the near post. Captain Dave Crawford then saw his headed goal ruled out for offside. Webster, Davies and Danny Thompson all had efforts to further the score. Soon after Davies bagged his hatrick when Kyle Braide played him in after good work from Brett Weaving, Davies again shot low and hard. Sub Scott Stroud was involved in the 4th and killer goal, when after good work he played a perfectly weighted ball to Ash Edwards who precisely put the ball over for Braide to majestically at full stretch head home with a diving header.
Chippenham RAOB 1 - 5 British Lion
Despite a sodden surface at Stanley Park, credit has to be given to both Chippenham United RAOB and British Lion for getting this fixture played and it was Adam Bewley’s Lion side that claimed the points with a convincing 5-1 victory.
With Andrew Webster serving another suspension, Bewley may have wondered where the service for Jamie-Lloyd Davies would come from but he didn’t have to worry as midfielder Kyle Braide more than adequately filled the striker’s position. The Lion settled straight away and after five minutes Braide’s through ball to Davies resulted in winger Scott Stroud lashing over the crossbar. Two minutes later Davies’ corner was volleyed over by centre half Dave Crawford.
Chippenham’s first chance came on ten minutes when Al Farnish was left in space but Dan Sainsbury saved well at his feet and Jason Ford put the loose ball over. It was the Lion who opened the scoring a minute later with a slick move. Stroud’s ball found Davies whose pinpoint cross was clinically slotted home on the half volley by Braide. It was 2-0 after 14 minutes when Crawford headed Davies’ freekick home off of the crossbar. A minute later it could have been 3-0 when Davies raced past two defenders cut inside and hit the far post.
With Lion threatening whenever they went forward, Chippenham’s forays into Lion territory were limited but Darren Jones was unlucky when he blasted over from 20-yards following Ford’s corner.
On the half-hour, Crawford flicked Jez Wiltshire’s shot onto the post and Braide missed his kick six yards out after good work from Ashley Edwards. The misses weren’t serious as the Lion made it 3-0 after 38 minutes. Wiltshire hit an exquisite 40-yard pass to Davies who showed class finishing to roll the ball past Stu Davis in the Chippenham goal from 12-yards.
Chippenham started the second half brightly and on 55 minutes, Matt Blackmore’s corner was volleyed past Sainsbury by Nathan Thomas but not past Brett Weaving who headed off the Lion goal line. However, the home side were not to be denied and they pulled a goal back just on the hour when Blackmore’s deft chip was calmly despatched by Jones from six-yards.
Any sign of a recovery was then snubbed out as the Lion regained a three-goal lead within a minute. Sainsbury showing great vision launched a 50-yard throw and put Davies clear on goal. Although the pacey striker was cynically pulled back on the edge of the penalty area, the resulting freekick was thumped home by Edwards to make it 4-1.
Davies’s pace was a constant threat and two minutes later he found himself a yard of space after linking well with Braide but this time he shot at the Chippenham keeper from 20-yards. Three minutes later, Edwards nodded Jordan Dixon’s precision cross down and Davies saw his close range shot bundled away.
Braide capped a superb individual display with his second goal and the Lion’s fifth with thirteen minutes left. Dixon found the Lion striker 35 yards out from goal who then surged forward before finishing with style from 18-yards out.
With Andrew Webster serving another suspension, Bewley may have wondered where the service for Jamie-Lloyd Davies would come from but he didn’t have to worry as midfielder Kyle Braide more than adequately filled the striker’s position. The Lion settled straight away and after five minutes Braide’s through ball to Davies resulted in winger Scott Stroud lashing over the crossbar. Two minutes later Davies’ corner was volleyed over by centre half Dave Crawford.
Chippenham’s first chance came on ten minutes when Al Farnish was left in space but Dan Sainsbury saved well at his feet and Jason Ford put the loose ball over. It was the Lion who opened the scoring a minute later with a slick move. Stroud’s ball found Davies whose pinpoint cross was clinically slotted home on the half volley by Braide. It was 2-0 after 14 minutes when Crawford headed Davies’ freekick home off of the crossbar. A minute later it could have been 3-0 when Davies raced past two defenders cut inside and hit the far post.
With Lion threatening whenever they went forward, Chippenham’s forays into Lion territory were limited but Darren Jones was unlucky when he blasted over from 20-yards following Ford’s corner.
On the half-hour, Crawford flicked Jez Wiltshire’s shot onto the post and Braide missed his kick six yards out after good work from Ashley Edwards. The misses weren’t serious as the Lion made it 3-0 after 38 minutes. Wiltshire hit an exquisite 40-yard pass to Davies who showed class finishing to roll the ball past Stu Davis in the Chippenham goal from 12-yards.
Chippenham started the second half brightly and on 55 minutes, Matt Blackmore’s corner was volleyed past Sainsbury by Nathan Thomas but not past Brett Weaving who headed off the Lion goal line. However, the home side were not to be denied and they pulled a goal back just on the hour when Blackmore’s deft chip was calmly despatched by Jones from six-yards.
Any sign of a recovery was then snubbed out as the Lion regained a three-goal lead within a minute. Sainsbury showing great vision launched a 50-yard throw and put Davies clear on goal. Although the pacey striker was cynically pulled back on the edge of the penalty area, the resulting freekick was thumped home by Edwards to make it 4-1.
Davies’s pace was a constant threat and two minutes later he found himself a yard of space after linking well with Braide but this time he shot at the Chippenham keeper from 20-yards. Three minutes later, Edwards nodded Jordan Dixon’s precision cross down and Davies saw his close range shot bundled away.
Braide capped a superb individual display with his second goal and the Lion’s fifth with thirteen minutes left. Dixon found the Lion striker 35 yards out from goal who then surged forward before finishing with style from 18-yards out.
The Cavaliers 1 - 4 British Lion
With the Green Lane lost to the weather, British Lion reversed their fixture against Cavaliers to All Cannings, and Adam Bewley’s young side came away with a hard earned win against an improving Cavaliers side.
With Bewley’s and Secretary, Phil Oliver’s pre-match demands ringing in their ears, the Lion duly obliged with a goal after only eight seconds. From the opening kick off, the Cavaliers passed the ball back to goalkeeper Aden Allmark only for Andrew Webster to steal in front of the keeper and hook the ball into the net. Jamie-Lloyd Davies extended the lead to 2-0 after three minutes with a sublime finish. Kyle Braide’s pass carved open the Cavalier’s defence and Davies crashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
The second Lion goal stirred the Cavaliers into action and after eleven minutes Darren Lewis’ cross was turned into the side netting by the prolific Johnny Emm. The Cavalier striker’s goal scoring feats are well known and two minutes later he robbed Jez Wiltshire and was only denied by an acrobatic save by Dan Sainsbury. However, Emm wasn’t to be denied and after 18 minutes he pulled a goal back. Wiltshire let the ball slip under his foot allowing Emm to nip and deftly chipping home from 18-yards.
The Cavaliers now enjoyed their best spell of the half with Neil Marsh in particular orchestrating their midfield and an equaliser for the home side looked a distinct possibility. However, it was the Lion’s Davies who forced the next save on the half hour when he latched onto a long throw from Sainsbury. Davies’ 25-yard thunderbolt being beaten away by Allmark. Five minutes later Webster had the ball in the Cavalier’s net again when he calmly finished a superb through ball from Bewley but was deemed to have been offside. Just before the break, Emm tested Sainsbury’s handling with a 30-yard freekick but the big Lion keeper was up to the challenge.
The Lion shuffled their formation at half time and moved the composed Brett Weaving to sweeper and Ashley Edwards into the middle of midfield. Nevertheless, it was the Cavaliers who had the first chance in the second period when a freekick for a back pass was drilled by Emm but well blocked by Sainsbury. At the other end, the tireless Kyle Braide set Davies free but this time the young striker dragged his shot wide. On the hour, Webster met Edwards’ freekick but the burly striker’s shot was off target.
Webster had been a constant thorn in the side of The Cavaliers’ defence and it was his hard work that created the Lion’s third goal after 62 minutes. Webster blocked Tony Greenidge’s clearance before planting his cross on head of Davies who made no mistake from six yards. The Cavaliers needed a quick goal to get back into the game and their best chance came four minutes later when Emm’s corner was blasted wide by Greenidge. After 72 minutes, Damien Plunkett shot wide from 15 yards when it seemed easier to hit the target.
Going into the final fifteen minutes, another Edwards freekick was met by Webster but Allmark saved well. However, the killer fourth goal came with eleven minutes to go when Webster’s intelligent back heel sold the entire Cavalier’s defence and allowed Davies to complete his hat trick from 18 yards. Allmark again saved well from Webster and in the dying seconds Davies rattled his crossbar with a 20-yard drive.
With Bewley’s and Secretary, Phil Oliver’s pre-match demands ringing in their ears, the Lion duly obliged with a goal after only eight seconds. From the opening kick off, the Cavaliers passed the ball back to goalkeeper Aden Allmark only for Andrew Webster to steal in front of the keeper and hook the ball into the net. Jamie-Lloyd Davies extended the lead to 2-0 after three minutes with a sublime finish. Kyle Braide’s pass carved open the Cavalier’s defence and Davies crashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
The second Lion goal stirred the Cavaliers into action and after eleven minutes Darren Lewis’ cross was turned into the side netting by the prolific Johnny Emm. The Cavalier striker’s goal scoring feats are well known and two minutes later he robbed Jez Wiltshire and was only denied by an acrobatic save by Dan Sainsbury. However, Emm wasn’t to be denied and after 18 minutes he pulled a goal back. Wiltshire let the ball slip under his foot allowing Emm to nip and deftly chipping home from 18-yards.
The Cavaliers now enjoyed their best spell of the half with Neil Marsh in particular orchestrating their midfield and an equaliser for the home side looked a distinct possibility. However, it was the Lion’s Davies who forced the next save on the half hour when he latched onto a long throw from Sainsbury. Davies’ 25-yard thunderbolt being beaten away by Allmark. Five minutes later Webster had the ball in the Cavalier’s net again when he calmly finished a superb through ball from Bewley but was deemed to have been offside. Just before the break, Emm tested Sainsbury’s handling with a 30-yard freekick but the big Lion keeper was up to the challenge.
The Lion shuffled their formation at half time and moved the composed Brett Weaving to sweeper and Ashley Edwards into the middle of midfield. Nevertheless, it was the Cavaliers who had the first chance in the second period when a freekick for a back pass was drilled by Emm but well blocked by Sainsbury. At the other end, the tireless Kyle Braide set Davies free but this time the young striker dragged his shot wide. On the hour, Webster met Edwards’ freekick but the burly striker’s shot was off target.
Webster had been a constant thorn in the side of The Cavaliers’ defence and it was his hard work that created the Lion’s third goal after 62 minutes. Webster blocked Tony Greenidge’s clearance before planting his cross on head of Davies who made no mistake from six yards. The Cavaliers needed a quick goal to get back into the game and their best chance came four minutes later when Emm’s corner was blasted wide by Greenidge. After 72 minutes, Damien Plunkett shot wide from 15 yards when it seemed easier to hit the target.
Going into the final fifteen minutes, another Edwards freekick was met by Webster but Allmark saved well. However, the killer fourth goal came with eleven minutes to go when Webster’s intelligent back heel sold the entire Cavalier’s defence and allowed Davies to complete his hat trick from 18 yards. Allmark again saved well from Webster and in the dying seconds Davies rattled his crossbar with a 20-yard drive.
Audley FC 2 - 1 British Lion (Eric Hughes Memorial Cup)
Written off in the media before a ball had been kicked, a pumped up Audley side entertained British Lion at Stanley Park and ground out a hard earned 2-1 win against the Division Four side.
Audley nearly took the lead after thirteen minutes when the Lion’s Simon Oldham sliced his clearance over Dan Sainsbury’s head but the big keeper showed exceptional agility to somehow turn, dive and claw the ball away. Five minutes later, Lion hotshot Jamie-Lloyd Davies cut inside Chris Shipway but thumped his shot straight at Stu Shipway inn the Audley goal.
With nothing to choose between the sides, goal chances were at a premium and after 22 minutes, Lion targetman Andrew Webster met Oldham’s throw but scuffed his shot wide. Six minutes later the influential Mick Gapper hit James McLaughlin with a 20-yard cross but the tall Audley midfielder side footed over when well placed.
Audley took the lead just after the half hour. Gapper’s corner fell to McLaughlin who buried his shot from just inside the Lion penalty area. The goal seemed to stir the Lion and they should have equalised within two minutes. Jordan Dixon’s cross was only palmed away by Shipway and Webster volleyed over from 15 yards. However the Lion did make it 1-1 five minutes before half time when Danny Thompson’s long ball opened up the Audley back four and Davies made no mistake with an early shot past Shipway.
Within a minute of the restart Webster tested Shipway with a 20-yard thunderbolt that the Audley keeper did well to tip over. A minute later it was Sainsbury’s turn to produce a smart save when he reacted well to beat away McLaughlin’s drive. The decisive goal came on 52 minutes. Dave Nolan pulled his cross back and Gapper picked his spot well and buried his shot in off the post to make it 2-1 to Audley.
Although the Lion threw bodies forward, Audley continued to threaten on the counter and on the hour, McLaughlin met Gapper’s corner but Doug Dickson cleared by the Lion post. On 72 minutes McLaughlin cut inside Brett Weaving but rapped his shot into the side netting.
Despite a lot of possession in the final quarter, The Lion’s strike force of Webster and Davies were well marshalled by Stu Field and James Hearsey and chances were at a premium. The final chance did fall to Davies with five minutes left when he picked up Hearsey’s scuffed clearance but his shot drifted wide and with that went the Lion’s hopes of forcing extra time.
Audley nearly took the lead after thirteen minutes when the Lion’s Simon Oldham sliced his clearance over Dan Sainsbury’s head but the big keeper showed exceptional agility to somehow turn, dive and claw the ball away. Five minutes later, Lion hotshot Jamie-Lloyd Davies cut inside Chris Shipway but thumped his shot straight at Stu Shipway inn the Audley goal.
With nothing to choose between the sides, goal chances were at a premium and after 22 minutes, Lion targetman Andrew Webster met Oldham’s throw but scuffed his shot wide. Six minutes later the influential Mick Gapper hit James McLaughlin with a 20-yard cross but the tall Audley midfielder side footed over when well placed.
Audley took the lead just after the half hour. Gapper’s corner fell to McLaughlin who buried his shot from just inside the Lion penalty area. The goal seemed to stir the Lion and they should have equalised within two minutes. Jordan Dixon’s cross was only palmed away by Shipway and Webster volleyed over from 15 yards. However the Lion did make it 1-1 five minutes before half time when Danny Thompson’s long ball opened up the Audley back four and Davies made no mistake with an early shot past Shipway.
Within a minute of the restart Webster tested Shipway with a 20-yard thunderbolt that the Audley keeper did well to tip over. A minute later it was Sainsbury’s turn to produce a smart save when he reacted well to beat away McLaughlin’s drive. The decisive goal came on 52 minutes. Dave Nolan pulled his cross back and Gapper picked his spot well and buried his shot in off the post to make it 2-1 to Audley.
Although the Lion threw bodies forward, Audley continued to threaten on the counter and on the hour, McLaughlin met Gapper’s corner but Doug Dickson cleared by the Lion post. On 72 minutes McLaughlin cut inside Brett Weaving but rapped his shot into the side netting.
Despite a lot of possession in the final quarter, The Lion’s strike force of Webster and Davies were well marshalled by Stu Field and James Hearsey and chances were at a premium. The final chance did fall to Davies with five minutes left when he picked up Hearsey’s scuffed clearance but his shot drifted wide and with that went the Lion’s hopes of forcing extra time.
British Lion 3 - 2 Westbridge Re-United
With North Star B not playing, British Lion entertained Westbridge Re-united at a sodden Green Lane, knowing that the winners would join the Calne side at the top of the table. The Lion welcomed back long-term injuries, Tom Evans and Jim Muir to their squad 
but were without goalkeeper Dan Sainsbury, and defenders Brett Weaving and Jez Wiltshire. 
The Lion adapted to the conditions immediately and within the first minute Kyle Braide’s surging run and cross was turned narrowly wide by Jamie-Lloyd Davies. The greasy conditions were always going to be a factor and after six minutes, Westbridge’s Jordan Pinder made the most of Doug Dickson slipping to set up Jamie Hancock but he shot wide.
Richard Hunt in the visitors’ goal came to their rescue a minute later when he thwarted a smart move between Braide and Danny Thompson by pushing Braide’s shot round for a corner. Despite being under intense pressure during the opening exchanges, Westbridge nearly snatched the lead on ten minutes. The lively Paul Daly made the most of Dave Crawford’s slip to round stand-in keeper Andrew Webster and shoot only to see Simon Oldham somehow get the ball off the line.
Seven minutes later, Hunt again saved well when Davies was set free and at the other end Pinder squared for Paul Bendell to thump a 25-yard drive that Webster was happy to see drift over.
The Lion took a deserved lead in the 25th minute. Tom Evan’s cross was nodded down by winger Scott Stroud and Davies crashed home a first time shot into the far corner of Hunt’s net.
Within the next ten minutes the Lion were guilty of squandering chances to extend their lead 
but finally made it 2-0 six minutes before the break. 
Oldham found Davies and with the pacey striker seemingly forced away from goal, he turned and placed his shot into the top corner of the Westbridge net. 
The lead was halved within four minutes when Hancock’s cross was palmed away by Webster but Ben Ryder was on hand to drill the loose ball home. Davies could have restored the Lion’s two goal lead in the dying seconds of the half when he pounced on Rob Mantle’s hesitation but again Hunt saved well with his feet.
With heavy rain spoiling the flowing football in the second half, any mistake could prove crucial. On 55 minutes, Hunt’s throw struck teammate, Mantle, on the back but Davies fired the loose ball wide. Westbridge substitute, Milan Kuzma, then tested Webster’s handling but the Lion striker-cum-keeper saved his best for the 61st minute. Daly teed up a volley but Webster brilliantly turned his 18-yard strike onto the crossbar.
With Westbridge throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, the Lion had chances to kill the contest on the counter but wasted them time and time again.
With 20 minutes left, Davies again cut inside his marker and found Dickson but the Lion winger skewed his shot wide with the goal gaping. Braide then shot wide when left with only Hunt to beat and Stroud and Alex Surman both wasted good opportunities. 
The crucial third Lion goal came with three minutes left. Marcus Rossi set up Dickson whose cross was turned home by Davies at the second attempt. The Lion then had nervous last two minutes as Daly nipped in between Crawford and Webster to make it 3-2 but the home side hung on to deservedly take the points.
but were without goalkeeper Dan Sainsbury, and defenders Brett Weaving and Jez Wiltshire. The Lion adapted to the conditions immediately and within the first minute Kyle Braide’s surging run and cross was turned narrowly wide by Jamie-Lloyd Davies. The greasy conditions were always going to be a factor and after six minutes, Westbridge’s Jordan Pinder made the most of Doug Dickson slipping to set up Jamie Hancock but he shot wide.
Richard Hunt in the visitors’ goal came to their rescue a minute later when he thwarted a smart move between Braide and Danny Thompson by pushing Braide’s shot round for a corner. Despite being under intense pressure during the opening exchanges, Westbridge nearly snatched the lead on ten minutes. The lively Paul Daly made the most of Dave Crawford’s slip to round stand-in keeper Andrew Webster and shoot only to see Simon Oldham somehow get the ball off the line.
Seven minutes later, Hunt again saved well when Davies was set free and at the other end Pinder squared for Paul Bendell to thump a 25-yard drive that Webster was happy to see drift over.
The Lion took a deserved lead in the 25th minute. Tom Evan’s cross was nodded down by winger Scott Stroud and Davies crashed home a first time shot into the far corner of Hunt’s net.
Within the next ten minutes the Lion were guilty of squandering chances to extend their lead but finally made it 2-0 six minutes before the break. Oldham found Davies and with the pacey striker seemingly forced away from goal, he turned and placed his shot into the top corner of the Westbridge net. The lead was halved within four minutes when Hancock’s cross was palmed away by Webster but Ben Ryder was on hand to drill the loose ball home. Davies could have restored the Lion’s two goal lead in the dying seconds of the half when he pounced on Rob Mantle’s hesitation but again Hunt saved well with his feet.With heavy rain spoiling the flowing football in the second half, any mistake could prove crucial. On 55 minutes, Hunt’s throw struck teammate, Mantle, on the back but Davies fired the loose ball wide. Westbridge substitute, Milan Kuzma, then tested Webster’s handling but the Lion striker-cum-keeper saved his best for the 61st minute. Daly teed up a volley but Webster brilliantly turned his 18-yard strike onto the crossbar.
With Westbridge throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, the Lion had chances to kill the contest on the counter but wasted them time and time again.
With 20 minutes left, Davies again cut inside his marker and found Dickson but the Lion winger skewed his shot wide with the goal gaping. Braide then shot wide when left with only Hunt to beat and Stroud and Alex Surman both wasted good opportunities. The crucial third Lion goal came with three minutes left. Marcus Rossi set up Dickson whose cross was turned home by Davies at the second attempt.
The Lion then had nervous last two minutes as Daly nipped in between Crawford and Webster to make it 3-2 but the home side hung on to deservedly take the points. AFC Lyneham 2 - 10 British Lion
British Lion went to the visitors home pitch in Goatacre for their game with rock bottom Lyneham. Still without goalkeeper Dan Sainsbury, Andrew Webster stepped between the sticks but found himself without anything to do as the Lion hit 8 first half unanswered goals. The opening 5 minutes saw 3 clear cut chances as Jamie-Llyod Davies and Kyle Braide saw good chances go begging. Instigator Braide took the ball out of the air before flicking over his defender but again striking the ball straight at the keeper. The first goal of the route came on 13 minutes from new boy Doug Dickson after a good one-two with Alex Surman, Dickson fired in the bottom corner. Two minutes later the score was doubled by the same man, Dickson latched onto Davies superb header to repeat his earlier strike. Lion sensing fear in their opposition didn’t ease up and a minute later Danny Thompson produced some fine trickery to open up space for Surman to strike from 30 yards out to add to the scoreline. Dickson had a chance to make it 4-0 and his hat rick after a sweetly struck volley from Braide cannoned back off the crossbar, only for Dickson to put the ball over from 3 yards. Braide again became provider on 23 minutes when his through ball found the ever energetic Davies who cooly slotted home past the flat footed keeper. Number 5 came two minutes later after a corner was cleared only for Davies to cross with precision for Captain Dave Crawford to powerfully head home. Crawford wasn’t finished as on 27 minutes he again rose high to meet Braides corner with a diving header to take the tally to six in the game. Davies explosive run on 28 minutes resulted in him crashing the ball against the post, Braide running in finished to get his second. It wasn’t until 5 minutes before half time that the Lion found their next goal when Thompson played a inch perfect ball for Davies to expertly rise and meet to find the net.
If the first half was anything to go by, the Lion must have thought of who would score next, but in reality they could only manage another 2 goals with the hosts also scoring the same. Braide scored his second of the game when Jordan Dixons superb ball bounced infront of the oncoming keeper, Braide running in lobbed the keeper to make it 9-0 on 49 minutes. Two goals in 5 minutes from Lyneham produced the character and spirit that the basement side have shown in each of their games. The penultative goal came 15 minutes from time when returning James Muir fired home from 8 yards.
If the first half was anything to go by, the Lion must have thought of who would score next, but in reality they could only manage another 2 goals with the hosts also scoring the same. Braide scored his second of the game when Jordan Dixons superb ball bounced infront of the oncoming keeper, Braide running in lobbed the keeper to make it 9-0 on 49 minutes. Two goals in 5 minutes from Lyneham produced the character and spirit that the basement side have shown in each of their games. The penultative goal came 15 minutes from time when returning James Muir fired home from 8 yards.