British Lion Football Club
Chippenham & District Sunday Football League Division 3
Top Goalscorers 2006/2007
| Name | League | Cup |
Total |
| Andrew Webster | 16 | 9 | 25 |
| Luke Enderby | 19 | 6 | 25 |
| Rob Drown | 17 | 5 | 22 |
| Tom Evans | 15 | 3 | 18 |
| Nathan West | 16 | 1 | 17 |
| Danny Powell | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Andy Stonestreet | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Mikey O'Donnell | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Dave Crawford | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Mark Hulland | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| John Stockman | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Own Goal | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Gerry Thompson | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Luke Hunneyball | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Shane Holloway | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Duncan Biggin | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 113 | 36 | 149 |
(Scorers Exclude friendlies - 5-4 defeat at Kingfisher and 1-0 win against Bidd White Horse)
Fixtures and Results 2006/2007
Fixtures & Results
British Lion OC 4 F.C Bradford 0
(League)
Tom Evans x2, Rob Drown, Andrew Webster
3rd September 2006
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Sir Audley Arms 2 British Lion OC 4
10th September 2006
(Parr Trophy Preliminary Round)
Rob Drown x2, Gerry Thompson, John Stockman
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The Ship FC 6 British Lion OC 7
17th September 2006
(League)
Andrew Stonestreet, Danny Powell,
Rob Drown x2, Andrew Webster,
Nathan West, Dave Crawford
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Trowbridge Town SC 2 British Lion OC 8
24th Sept 2006
(Eric Hughes Cup Round One)
(Andrew Webster x5, Luke Hunneyball, Luke Enderby, John Stockman)
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British Lion OC 4 Pig & Whistle 2
1st October 2006
(League)
(Luke Enderby, Mark Hulland, Rob Drown, Nathan West)
British Lion OC 4 The Crown (Devizes) 1
15th Oct 2006
(League)
(Mike O'Donnell, Nathan West, Danny Powell, Mark Hulland)
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Chippenham Police 0 British Lion OC 6
22nd Oct 2006
(WG Parr Trophy Round One)
(Danny Powell x2, Luke Enderby x2, Andrew Webster, Dave Crawford)
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Sutton Benger 0 British Lion OC 3
5th November 2006
(League)
(Andrew Webster x2, Andrew Stonestreet)
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Chippenham ROAB 0 British Lion OC 10
12th Nov 2006
(Eric Hughes Cup Round Two)
(Mikey O'Donnell x2, Luke Enderby x2, Andrew Stonestreet x2,
Andrew Webster x2, Tom Evans x2)
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Southwick Sports 2 British Lion OC 4
19th Nov 2006
(League)
(Rob Drown x2, Andrew Stonestreet, Nathan West)
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AFC Calne 2 British Lion OC 4
3rd December 2006
(League)
(Luke Enderby x2, Andrew Webster, Nathan West)
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Semington Rovers 1 British Lion OC 2
December 17th
W.G.Parr Trophy Round two - Last 16
Rob Drown X2
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Kings Arms (Trowbridge) 1 British Lion OC 2
(Rob Drown, Luke Enderby)
Eric Hughes Cup Round Three
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British Lion OC 4 Sutton Benger 1
January 28th 2007
League
(Nathan West x2, Andrew Webster, Danny Powell)
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Semington Rovers 3 British Lion OC 2
February 4th 2007
Eric Hughes Cup Quarter Final
(Nathan West, Tom Evans)
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British Lion OC 5 AFC Calne 4
February 11th
League
(Andrew Webster x2, Rob Drown, Mikey O'Donnell, Dave Crawford)
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Little George 4 British Lion OC 2
February 18th
WG Parr Trophy Quarter Final
(Andrew Webster, Mikey O'Donnell)
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British Lion OC 3 White Horse 0
(Shane Holloway, Andrew Webster, Gerry Thompson)
League - 25th Feb 2007
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British Lion OC 8 Horse and Groom 0
(Luke Enderby x3, Mark Hulland x2, Danny Powell, Dave Crawford, Rob Drown)
League
March 4th 2007
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British Lion OC 1 Biddestone White Horse 0
Duncan Biggin
FRIENDLY
March 11th
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British Lion OC 1 Rowde 0
(Mikey O'Donnell)
League
March 18th
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British Lion OC 5 Biddestone Arms 0
(League)
March 25th
Andrew Webster x2, Danny Powell, Duncan Biggin, Dave Crawford
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Horse and Groom 1 British Lion OC 9
(League)
April 1st
Tom Evans x4, Rob Drown x2, Luke Enderby x2, Nathan West
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Pig & Whistle 1 British Lion OC 2
(League)
April 5th
John Stockman, Luke Hunneyball
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FC Bradford 1 British Lion OC 11
(League)
April 8th
Luke Enderby x4, Andrew Webster x2, Tom Evans x2, Nathan West x2, Rob Drown
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(League)
April 15th
Nathan West x2, Andrew Webster x2, Luke Enderby
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British Lion OC 7 Southwick Sports 0
(League)
April 22nd
Luke Enderby x4, Andrew Webster, Rob Drown, Nathan West
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Rowde 1 British Lion OC 3
(League)
Danny Powell, Mark Hulland, John Stockman
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Biddestone Arms 2 British Lion OC 4
(League)
Nathan West x3, Luke Enderby
May 17th - The Ship - Home
British Lion OC 4 F.C Bradford 0
3rd September 2006(League)
Tom Evans x2, Rob Drown, A.Webster
Both British Lion OC and FC Bradford were missing a number of players as they met at Jubilee Fields, Bromham.The lively Jake Jordan nearly opened the score for
Sir Audley Arms 2 British Lion OC 4
10th September 2006
(Parr Trophy Preliminary Round)
Rob Drown x2, Gerry Thompson, John Stockman
An injury riddled Lion team travelled to a much hungover Sir Audley Arms
side in a cup-qualifying fixture,
Although the Lion started brightly, it was Audley’s who threatened first.
Jon Baker’s throw was hit crisply by Adam O’Keefe but his shot whistled
wise of Mark Stonestreet’s left post. The Lion struck back and Andrew Webster
and Mark Hulland both had chances straight after. Webster firing over from
15 yards and Hulland denied at the front post by keeper John Witts. The Lion
scored on 16 minutes with a great move. Rob Drown’s ball wrong footed
Jon Baker and John Stockman calmly scored from 10 yards.
The lead lasted two minutes. Ben Arthurs found space and his 25-yard
drive deflected off Mikey O’Donnell and flew in. The Lion roared back and
O’Donnell’s corner cleverly stepped over by Stockman rolled wide with the
goal gaping. On 25 minutes Luke Hunneyball then found Webster at the
back post and the big striker’s goal bound header cannoned off a defender
by the post. Webster then should have pounced on a defensive mix up
but lobbed the bouncing ball over Witts’ crossbar. Two minutes later the
same player blasted Drown’s corner across goal.
Although Audley’s Steve Mallard then tested Stonestreet with a 25-yard drive,
it was the Lion who scored before the break. The charismatic O’Donnell
found Drown in space and with defenders shutting down his options the
options, the midfield drove home from 18 yards. Drown nearly added a
second a minute before the break when his drive was well saved by Witts.
Audley started the second half brightly and Mark Nolan’s 20-yard strike
was well gathered by Stonestreet. Davies headed over when he should
have scored from Mark Nolan’s cross a minutes later. The pressure
counted on 54 minutes when Stuart Field’s long cross found Dave Nolan
at then back post who gleefully headed home. Five minutes later O’Keefe’s
40-yard drive was brilliantly turned over by Stonestreet. The save was crucial
as then the Lion started to get back into the game. Drown was denied by a
sharp block by Witts on 72 minutes but the keeper was powerless to stop
Gerry Thompson’s header six minutes later. The killer fourth goal came
on 81 minutes when Webster set up Stockman and the midfielder unselfishly
allowed Drown to bundle home his second. Webster should have added
a fifth in the dying seconds but rolled his shot wide.
The Ship FC 6 British Lion OC 7
17th September 2006
(League)
Andrew Stonestreet, Danny Powell,
Rob Drown x2, Andrew Webster,
Nathan West, Dave Crawford
Credit must be given to both The Ship and British Lion OC for a truly amazing
game of football played at The Stallards field in Trowbridge.
Although the Lion started brightly with Danny Powell blasting two half chances
Over inn the opening minutes, it was The Ship who took the game by then scruff
in a sensational ten minutes spell. On eight minutes confusion between Lion’s
Mikey O’Donnell and Shane Holloway allowed Ship’s Dave Appleyard to set up
Lee Hayward who fired home from ten yards. A minute later Shaun Percival’s
free kick kicked wickedly in front of keeper Mark Stonestreet and it was 2-0m to
The Ship. The third on 12 minutes came from Ashley Bennison’s long throw
that was dropped by Stonestreet and gleefully tapped home by Dave Percival.
With the Lion in tatters, Ship’s midfielders Bennison and Shaun Percival ran
the game and it was no surprise when on 15 minutes, Bennison was left in far
too much space to run from midfield and clinically finish. It was 5-0 three minutes later.
This time Dave Percival was on hand to tap in when Stonestreet could only parry
Scott Cunningham’s shot.
Stunned by The Ship’s onslaught the Lion desperately tried to get back into the
game. On 28 minutes, Luke Moyne fumbled Holloway’s rasping 30-yard drive
but the keeper recovered before the ball crossed the line. On 35 minutes,
the so far quiet Rob Drown robbed Appleyard but Moyne saved well from the
Lion midfielder. Moyne again came to the rescue of The Ship a minute later
when he brilliantly saved Andrew Webster’s diving header. From the resulting
corner, Appleyard cleared Webster’s header off of the line but could do nothing
as Danny Powell headed home the loose ball to make it 5-1. Right on the break
the Lion’s Nathan Westside found space but his curled his effort drifted over.
Whether The Ship took their foot off the gas or Phil Oliver’s half-time roasting
inspired the Lion, but the game completely turned in the second period.
On 47 minutes, substitute Luke Enderby’s cross was well held up by Webster and
Drown drilled home to make it 5-2. Immediately after, Webster’s flick found
Enderby and Moyne saved well. It was 5-3 on 50 minutes. The enigmatic
Drown turned sharply in The Ship penalty area and fired home. The introduction
of Enderby was paying dividends and the young striker was denied on
55 minutes by Moyne. It was Enderby who created the Lion’s fourth on
62 minutes when he held up the ball to allow Westside to send a 35-yard
screamer into The Ship net.
Any jubilation and belief that the Lion had was flattened within two minutes.
Liam Milburn’s cross was calmly slotted home by
The Lion clawed themselves back and chance after chance was either saved
by Moyne or eluded an outstretched leg.
Desperation and tired legs threw the Lion back at The Ship. On 86 minutes,
O’Donnell’s curled corner was met sweetly by Dave Crawford’s head to
make it 6-5. The goal gave hope. A minute later Andy Stonestreet’s
cross-cum-shot bent wickedly at Moyne’s near post and crept in to make 6-6.
A point became two for the Lion as in the dying seconds, O’Donnell’s free-kick
was met by Webster to head home from 12 yards.
Trowbridge Town SC 2 British Lion OC 8
24th Sept 2006
(Eric Hughes Cup Round One)
(Andrew Webster x5, Luke Hunneyball, Luke Enderby, John Stockman)
British Lion switched their home tie to
Ground and the move paid dividends for the Devizes based side.
Despite a changed side, the Lion dominated from the start and in the opening
two minutes, Trowbridge’s keeper, Robbie Newton was called into action to deny
John Stockman. Andrew Webster then skimmed his clever turn and volley off the
roof of
cross bounced over centre half Richard Onyett leaving Webster with an age to
pick his spot from close range.
However, with the doors prised open, the expected onslaught didn’t happen. On 10 minutes
Stockman ripped open the Trowbridge defence with a 35-yard ball and with the goal gaping,
Webster flicked his shot just wide. Trowbridge’s forays towards the Lion’s goal were rare
but on 16 minutes Ben John robbed Mikey O’Donnell and although he slid his shot past
Mark Stonestreet, Jerry Thompson cleared off the British Lion line. At the other end,
Tom Evans beat the offside trap but was denied at close range by
The Lion finally grabbed some breathing space on 32 minutes when they made it 2-0.
Evans’s diagonal ball allowed Nathan Westside time to measure his cross and he found
Webster who drilled home from close range. Two minutes later, Webster provided the
opportunity for Evans but he again was denied by a
wasn’t costly as a minute Webster completed his hat-trick. Enderby measured his
cross to perfection and his beefy strike partner showed a deft touch to control, turn and
shot home from 15-yards in one move.
Trowbridge’s left back, Ashley Swaine was having an outstanding game and his
timely tackle just before the break denied Webster another goal scoring opportunity.
Right on half time, Mark Hulland’s dipping 20 yard volley was acrobatically turned onto
the crossbar by Newton and at the other end, Swaine’s 30-yard drive had to be gathered
by Stonestreet.
It was 4-0 immediately from the restart. Evans was fouled on the edge of the
Trowbridge penalty area and Webster blasted the resulting freekick into the corner of
Newton’s net. Mark Stonestreet was embarrassed a minute later when a wicked
bobble of Thompson’s back pass resulted in him completely missing his kick.
The keeper was able to prevent further embarrassment by recovering before the
ball crossed the line, and then immediately setting up the Lion’s fifth goal from his
long kick up field. Hunneyball shrugged off James Harman’s challenge and fired
home from 12 yards.
Trowbridge then had their best spell of the game and pulled back two goals in
ten minutes. The first from a twice taken penalty kick slotted home by Pete Barby
after West had handled and then on 64 minutes when the same player swiftly
pounced on a loose ball in the Lion penalty area to score from a tight angle.
British Lion finally killed hopes of a comeback in the final ten minutes. On 80 minutes,
Enderby found Webster in space and the targetman made no mistake from 20 yards.
With four minutes left, Enderby got his deserved goal when substitute Rob Drown
picked him out on the edge of the Trowbridge box and the young striker calmly placed
his shot past Newton. It was 8-2 two minutes later, when Enderby and Hulland left the
impressive John Stockman space to roll the ball his shot into the far corner.
British Lion OC 4 Pig & Whistle 2
1st October 2006
(League)
(Luke Enderby, Mark Hulland, Rob Drown, Nathan West)
Credit has to be given to both sides and an excellent referee in Mark Sammut for
the manner in which this game was played in atrocious conditions at
The Lion started brightly and Nathan West set up Mark Hulland within two minutes.
The midfielder rattling Robinson’s post from an acute angle. Luke Enderby then
released Rob Drown but he shot early and the chance went wide.
Pig playing with the wind first half used strikers burly Nathan Mantle and Leigh
Stevenson to good effect. On 10 minutes, Mantle produced a smart close range
save from Lion’s Mark Stonestreet. At the other end West Broke Stephen Robinson’s
tackle but shot straight at Miles Robinson in the Pig goal.
The Pig focussed on hitting their targetmen but a strong wind and wet conditions
resulted in many balls being overhit and potential opportunities being squandered.
The Lion hit on the counter and took the lead on 35 minutes. Enderby beat Stephen
Robinson to the ball near the halfway line and burst away before cutting back inside
onto his left foot and curling a superb 25 yard drive into the top corner.
As is common in football a team is often vulnerable straight after they score and the
Pig nearly equalised straight from the kick off. Sam Hargreaves’ deep cross found
the tireless Aaron Richardson free but his header was brilliantly pawed away by
Stonestreet. They resulting Hargreaves corner was then headed wide by
Three minutes later, Drown was denied by an equally smart save by Miles Robinson
at close range. The Lion extended their lead four minutes before the break.
Enderby’s crossfield ball found Hulland free and with one touch his drive hit the
corner of the net from 20 yards.
Drown cracked a 20 yard drive onto the post straight after the restart but it was
3-0 a minute later. West’s cross eluded Enderby which deceived Robinson and
left Drown free to slide home at the back post. Mantle latched onto a loose
defensive header at the other end but was denied by Duncan Biggin’s last ditch
challenge. But it was 4-0 to the Lion on the hour as Andy Stonestreet’s cross
ended up at West’s feet and he drove home from 15 yards.
Wes Frith threw his subs on and from nowhere the Pig laid siege. On 62 minutes,
Mantle found space and found enough power to beat Stonestreet’s dive to make it 4-1.
In torrential rainfall, the Pig found heart and Mantle was only denied again by
Biggin’s block. However, the Pig’s second came soon when Mantle turned
sharply to fire home and make it 4-2.. Sensing a chance of at least a point,
the Pig filed forward but exposed themselves to the break.
The Lion’s Tom Evans was denied by another smart save by Miles Robinson
who was athletic enough to turn over West’s header. With time running out
Mantle curled a free-kick over and with that went the Pig’s fight back.
British Lion OC continued their winning start to the season with a comfortable win
against White Horse at the Lafarge ground.
The Lion dominated from the start and opened the scoring on 12 minutes when
Luke Hunneyball’s deft chip into the box was calmly controlled and slotted past
Nigel Simpson by Tom Evans. Evans got his, and the Lion’s, second two minutes later
with a mirror image of the first. Rob Drown’s pass split the Horse defence, allowing
Luke Enderby to provide the cross for Evans to knock home. Stout defending and some safe hands from Simpson meant it was 28 minutes before the Lion extended the lead to 3-0.
This time, Mark Hulland’s cross-cum-shot was turned into his own net by Paul Whale.
The fourth came two minutes before the break. Hulland’s deft pass was rolled
into the path of Evans who completed his hat trick by drilling into the bottom
corner from 15 yards.
On 55 minutes, Enderby and Drown played a neat one-two, which ended up with
the latter’s shot being well saved again by Simpson. Although the Lion never at
any time really hit full stride, they went five up a minute later. Mikey O’Donnell’s
corner was half cleared only to find Enderby on the edge of the penalty area.
The young striker’s curled shot finding the top corner off of the head of
White Horse’s Clive Black.
Evans then out sprinted central defender Paul Froud from the half way line and
although his shot was well struck, Simpson did well to beat it away. With 69
minutes played, Lion’s Dave Crawford unleashed a vicious 25-yard volley that
whistled wide of the Horse goal. However, fatigue was now becoming a factor,
and with the energy went White Horse’s brave resistance.
On 71 minutes, Drown lobbed the ball forward to Andy Stonestreet, and although
the ball seemed to strike his hand, he nonetheless blasted home as defenders
around him hesitated. Four minutes later it was 7-0. Evans’ cross eluded
Simpson and the luckless Paul Froud headed into his own net.
Seven became eight on 79 minutes, as Evans’ 25-yard drive cannoned off of
Darren Clarkson, wrong footed Simpson and flew into the Horse net. Rob Drown
now joined the scorers by claiming the last four in the dying minutes. On 80 minutes,
Evans’ persistence in chasing a loose ball paid dividends as he squared the ball
for the midfielder to roll into an empty net off a post. Drown got his second and the
Lion tenth on 86 minutes. Stonestreet’s cross eluded Dave Barham and left
Drown time to hammer past Simpson at the back post.
A minute later, Enderby ran from the half way line, held off a challenge from
Barham, and skipped round the goalkeeper only to see his team-mate (Drown)
take the ball off his toe and score as he was about to tap in. The final goal, and
British Lion’s twelfth, came in stoppage time as Drown’s crisply hit 20-yard strike
nestled in the bottom corner.
British Lion OC 4 The Crown (Devizes) 1
15th Oct 2006
(League)
(Mike O'Donnell, Nathan West, Danny Powell, Mark Hulland)
The Crown Devizes.
The Lion started positively and on eight minutes,
had the ball in The Crown net but the effort was ruled out for offside. On 11 minutes
fellow striker, Tom Evans, was released by a neat freekick from Mikey O’Donnell
but was denied by the woodwork. Four minutes later Evans showed devastating
pace when he burst through from the half way line but his final shot was well blocked
by Crown keeper, Mike Bates. A minute later, Rob Drown made a carbon copy
run and again Bates denied the Lion midfielder.
Although The Crown were generally coping well with the Lion’s pressure, their
own forays forward were few and far between. However, on 20 minutes, Niall
McClean’s corner was well met by central defender Chris Quenton but his header
flew straight into Mark Stonestreet’s hands. On the half hour, Evans thumped
a 20-yard drive straight at The Crown goal but again Bates handled well.
Probably the Lion’s best chance of the half again fell to Evans, after Bates
could only palm up O’Donnell’s cross. Somehow the striker hooked the loose
ball over from 2 yards. As the half came to a close, The Crown slowly got back
into the game and five minutes before the break, Paul Revening sweetly met
Nathan Cook’s long ball. His 15-yard shot dipped over the bar.
After a goalless first half, British Lion flew out of the blocks at the start of the
second period. Mark Hulland blasted a low drive across the goal within the
opening thirty seconds. However, the opening goal came a minute later from the
Lion midfielder. A mix up between Crown defenders Quenton and Gary Lavery
resulted in Hulland stealing the ball and calming slotting home from close range.
The second came a minute later. Andy Stonestreet’s long cross found Powell on
the edge of the Crown area and as Bates narrowed the angle, the Lion striker deftly
sided footed into the bottom corner.
With British Lion now taking control of the game, a third goal should have come on
52 minutes. Powell’s low cross eluded substitute Nathan West and ended up at
Andy Stonestreet’s feet. With an open goal and plenty of time, he somehow
blasted his shot over the bar. Five minutes later, the Lion did extend their lead to 3-0.
John Stockman was bundled over by Nathan Cook, and O’Donnell calmly
despatched the resulting penalty kick.
As The Crown pushed forward, they left space at the back and the pace of Powell
and West threatened more goals. Both were guilty of missing good chances and
the heroics of keeper Bates again denied a close range drive from Drown. On 76 minutes,
The Crown sensed a lifeline. After a series of missed tackles, striker Darren Thorpe
volleyed goalwards from 20 yards. His shot kicked viciously in front of Stonestreet
and went in off the post to make it 3-1.
It was not be for The Crown as ten minutes from time, British Lion wrapped up the points.
Lavery was robbed by West and he curled a 20 yard shot over Bates to make it 4-1.
Chippenham Police 0 British Lion OC 6
22nd Oct 2006
(WG Parr Trophy Round One)
(Danny Powell x2, Luke Enderby x2, Andrew Webster, Dave Crawford)
British Lion switched their home tie against Chippenham Police to the away team’s
ground at Devizes Police HQ, and the change proved fruitful as the second division
side cruised to a 6-0 win.
The Lion opened the scoring on twelve minutes when Rob Drown’s early ball found
Danny Powell in space. With a deft touch Powell ‘megged’ centre half Tim Culling
before drilling past Dave Hunt in the Police goal. Two minutes later it was 2-0. Breaking
quickly, Andrew Webster showed a deceptive turn of pace on the right wing and crossed to Powell who calmly sidefooted home from 8 yards.
If it didn’t start badly enough for the police it got worse on 23 minutes when goalkeeper
Hunt appeared to injure his knee taking a freekick. He was replaced between the posts
by substitute Chris Fairburn.
The Police had spent most of the first 30 minutes on the back foot and their first real
chance came on 30 minutes when Andy Hunt’s snap shot was hit straight at Mark Stonestreet. Two minutes later Jason Roberts and Andy Morley linked well with the latter’s shot being well blocked by Duncan Biggin.
The Lion extended their lead on 39 minutes from a well-worked set piece. Mikey O’Donnell and Powell played a short corner that was driven across to Webster. The larger than life targetman clinically finishing with his left foot. The Police struck straight back and two minutes before the break Hunt’s deflected shot was quite brilliantly turned away by Stonestreet.
Going into the second period, the Police had to step up their game but were soon
undone by another well-worked set piece on 55 minutes. O’Donnell’s corner was hit
first time by Dave Crawford’s right foot on the volley and rocketed into the top corner
of the net. Within two minutes it was 5-0. Mark Hulland’s pass was stepped over by
Webster leaving Luke Enderby the chance to clip the ball past Fairburn.
The Police then had their best spell of the game and should have pulled a goal back
in the 68th minute. Craig Holden’s cross was met well by Roberts but the striker’s
header was wide of the target. Their cause was made harder five minutes later
when Enderby claimed his second and the Lion’s sixth with an excellent finish from 15 yards.
The lively Hunt then went on a mazy run skipping past Lion defenders Biggin and
O’Donnell but when well positioned he shot wide. At the other end, Enderby nearly
set up Webster but a crucial touch from Fairburn directed the cross away from the
beefy striker’s slide. As time ran out, Fairburn capped a solid performance in goal
with a fine save from O’Donnell’s penalty after Drown had been pulled back in the box.
Sutton Benger 0 British Lion OC 3
5th November 2006
(League)
(Andrew Webster x2, Andrew Stonestreet)
Sutton Benger entertained British Lion OC at Stanley Park looking for their first
win of the season.
The home side settled quicker and were the first to shoot on goal after only
four minutes. Mark Merriman’s lay off was crisply hit by Chris Miles but was
always drifting wide. The Lion then started to get a grip on the game and a
smart one-two between Nathan West and Andrew Webster resulted in West
lashing his shot across the goal.
The Lion took the lead on 18 minutes. Luke Enderby’s neat ball allowed Webster to
spring the offside trap and he unselfishly squared to allow Andy Stonestreet to tap
home from six yards. The Lion nearly went further ahead three minutes later.
With two on two Enderby took on Steve Gawke but his shot was pawed away by
Andy Best.
Benger were generally stifling the visitor’s game and with only one up front their
attacks were sporadic. However, Danny Cocker’s burst through from midfield on 2
5 minutes was only denied by a last ditch tackle from Lion captain, Duncan Biggin.
Two minutes later Cocker’s cross was well met by James Pope but his header
lacked power and was comfortably gathered by Mark Stonestreet.
Enderby should have scored on the half hour when Rob Drown’s cross found him
free at the back post. The young striker deciding to try and chest the ball down rather
than head for goal. Ten minutes before half time, Mikey O’Donnell’s cross was sweetly
struck by West on the volley but with Best rooted to the spot, the shot whistled wide.
Right on the break, Jerry Thompson’s corner eluded everyone but was somehow
scrambled off the Benger line.
Straight after the restart, Webster headed over when he was found in space by
Enderby’s measured cross, and four minutes later Drown was denied a rare headed
goal by a brilliant tip on to the post by Best. Although Benger stopped the Lion from
finding their top gear, the visitors were now taking control of the game and threatened
to extend their lead.
However, it was the home side that nearly scored on the hour when Tom Birch’s
cross was bravely blocked by Lion keeper Stonestreet at Pope’s feet. The missed
chance was punished when at the other end, West set Webster free and the larger
than life striker calmly clipped home. Webster got his second and the Lion’s third
on 68 minutes. Enderby and Drown linked well and when the ball fell to Webster
he cracked home a low drive from the edge of the box.
Going into the last 20 minutes and with Benger having to open their game up, the
Lion threatened to score more. West crossed to Enderby who headed wide and
with 15 minutes left the same two nearly conjured a fourth goal.
It finished 3-0 to British Lion OC who remain on the tails of leaders Rowde and AFC Calne.
Chippenham ROAB 0 British Lion OC 10
12th Nov 2006
(Eric Hughes Cup Round Two)
(Mikey O'Donnell x2, Luke Enderby x2, Andrew Stonestreet x2,
Andrew Webster x2, Tom Evans x2)
The free scoring British Lion OC visited Division Three Chippenham RAOB United in
what many thought would be a comfortable win for the Division Two side.
However, for most of the first half this was anything but the case, as RAOB gallantly
held the Lion and created a few chances of their own. In fact, it was RAOB who had
the ball in the net first after only four minutes. A long throw ended up at the feet of
Desmound Green who gleefully shot home only to see referee Derek Taylor disallow
his effort for a foul. Ten minutes later, Green had second ‘goal’ disallowed following a
quick freekick.
The home side was disrupting the Lion’s passing game and it was 24 minutes before
they had a meaningful shot on goal. Although John Stockman sweetly hit Andrew
Webster’s cross, John Stack threw himself in to block the strike. Against the run of
play, the Lion took the lead two minutes later. Centre half Dave Crawford powerfully
headed up field to Rob Drown who in turn allowed Stockman to measure his through
ball to Tom Evans. The pacey striker calmly slotting his shot past Stuart Davis.
The goal seemed to take the wind out of RAOB and they went further behind on 32
minutes. The outstanding Shane Holloway clipped in a cross and Evans slid the ball
home from cross range.
All of RAOB’s good work in the first period was undone within the first twenty minutes
of the second half. On 50 minutes Davis couldn’t hold Andy Stonestreet’s shot, Evans
squared the loose ball to allow Webster to bundle home. Two minutes later, Duncan
Biggin’s header found Webster on the halfway line. As the runners pulled the RAOB
defence open, the burly targetman stuck his head down and superbly finished from
15 yards. Within three minutes it was 5-0. Crawford and Biggin were both denied
by Davis but the resulting Mikey O’Donnell corner curled straight in to the net.
Stockman then rattled the RAOB bar with a header and the Lion now threatened to
run riot. On the hour, Webster was pulled down in the penalty area and O’Donnell
calmly despatched the spot kick. Six became seven on 64 minutes as Mark Hulland’s
through ball allowed Stonestreet to blast home from 15 yards. Stonestreet became
provider a minute later when his measured cross gave Luke Enderby a simple tap in
at the back post.
As the half progressed Webster missed two gilt-edged chances to claim a hat-trick,
Stockman volleyed over from close range and Hulland curiously missed an open goal
when Webster’s long ball bounced over keeper Davis.
The Lion finished off in style in the dying minutes. With four minutes left Stonestreet
scored his second and the Lion’s ninth when he crashed home a loose ball from
inside the six yard box. Enderby made it ten in the last minute when a deft touch
and shimmy allowed him space to sweetly curl a left foot shot round Davis from
the edge of the penalty area.
Southwick Sports 2 British Lion OC 4
19th Nov 2006
(League)
(Rob Drown x2, Andrew Stonestreet, Nathan West)
British Lion OC continue to top Division Two, after a 4-2 victory on the road at Southwick Sports saw them make it seven wins out of seven.
Andy Stonestreet hit the Lion's opener which was cancelled out by Gary Rice.
A Rob Drown double allowed the Lion to open up a two goal cushion but this was cut to one when Jamie Alford hit the target for Southwick.
Nathan West made the game safe for the Lion with goal number four. Things could have been a little easier for the winners had Mickey O'Donnell not missed from the penalty spot.
AFC Calne 2 British Lion OC 4
3rd December 2006
(League)
(Luke Enderby x2, Andrew Webster, Nathan West)
Two of the division’s big guns met at a rather blowy and soggy Avebury Sports Field and it was British Lion OC who snatched a valuable win to preserve their 100% start to the season.
The Lion’s depleted squad was further weakened when striker Tom Evans limped off after only 5 minutes with a groin injury. With a strong wind in their favour, it was the Lion who struck first on 15 minutes. Andrew Webster nodded Shane Holloway’s long ball into the path of Luke Enderby and without hesitation, the young striker crashed his drive past Aaron Ward’s despairing dive.
The lead lasted barely a minute. Richard Sheffield’s freekick was only partially cleared and with all stood watching, Shaun Ward sweetly hit a 20-yard half volley into the bottom corner. The Lion then promptly regained the lead three minutes later. Mikey O’Donnell curled in a freekick and Webster
calmly stabbed home from six yards. Calne nearly equalised straight from the restart but Dave Crawford did enough to block Aaron Clegg’s close range shot. At the other end Webster was denied a second goal only by the quick actions of goalkeeper Ward who did enough to stop the Lion striker from getting a shot away.
As the half progressed and the pitch resembling the Passendaele battlefield, both sides found it difficult to develop any rhythm. The game became a scrappy midfield battle with little goalmouth incident.
Going into the second period it was clear that the next goal would be crucial. On 49 minutes, Webster, Rob Drown and Enderby linked well and the resulting goal-bound strike from Drown
was smartly beaten away by Aaron Ward. However, it was the Lion who struck again a minute later. Nathan West’s clipped ball was well held up by Enderby and making himself just enough room
on the turn, he sweetly curled his shot round Ward into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. The lead was extended a minute later with Enderby this time provider. His left foot cross was well met by West and his header left Ward rooted.
Webster had a glorious chance to seal the points on the hour, when Drown robbed Simon Goddard and crossed. With only Ward to beat, the usually clinical striker clipped his shot over. The miss was punished within a minute when Calne clawed a goal back to make it 4-2. Sam Parrish’s 25-yard
shot caught a wicked deflection and although Mark Stonestreet brilliantly turned it against the post, Ryan Kelleher was hand to bundle home the loose ball.
With a strong wind and throwing bodies forward, Calne then laid siege to the Lion goal. On 66 minutes, Stonestreet bravely saved at point blank range from Clegg, and then two minutes later was alert enough to deny the same player’s quickly taken corner cum shot. On 70 minutes, Kelleher was denied
by another great save by the Lion keeper and a minute later he palmed away Simon Dance’s vicious volley.
Going into the last ten minutes, Clegg’s corner clipped the Lion crossbar and the loose ball was swiftly cleared to Enderby. The striker’s teasing run resulting in a 20-yard drive that just whistled past
Ward’s post. As the Lion tried to kill off the game, Webster was put through on goal but was again denied by Ward. Any last hopes of a Calne fightback died in the final minute when Adam Welch’s well-hit shot was turned aside by Stonestreet.
Credit has to be given to both sides for such a well-fought contest in such bad weather conditions.
Semington Rovers 1 British Lion OC 2
(Rob Drown x 2)
W.G.Parr Trophy Round two - Last 16
One of the hardest games to call was the clash between Division 1 leaders, Semington Rovers, and Division Two leaders, British Lion OC.
Semington were immediately hampered by the unavailability of several of their squad and the delayed return of Bobby Mitchell. The Lion started very brightly and immediately created chances. On three minutes Andrew Webster’s deft flick set up strike partner Luke Enderby. His turn and shot fired over Tom Wysolki’s crossbar. Within a minute Webster himself was denied by the keeper's legs when Enderby gave him a yard of space.
Despite being on the back foot, it was Semington who took the lead with their first shot on 13 minutes. After Lion’s Mikey O’Donnell was caught in possession, Stuart Barber was fouled by John Stockman on the edge of the Lion penalty area. Kelvin Lockwood’s freekick pierced the wall and went in off of Mark Stonestreet’s despairing dive.
The goal gave Semington confidence, and Allan Clarke marshalled his defence and midfield well as the home side clawed their way back into the game. The lead was nearly extended on 24 minutes. A Lion corner broke down and Barber broke well. Beating Luke Hunneyball’s challenge, his squared ball left Ricky King with a great chance but he shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Despite the Lion’s dominance, they found it hard to break down a dogged Semington side. However, the equaliser came three minutes before the break. The inspirational Stockman, set up Rob Drown and the midfielder slotted ho9me from 15 yards.
The second half started in the same fashion with the Lion pressing from the restart. On 48 minutes, Webster nodded on Dave Crawford’s ball but Wysolki did enough to block Enderby’s close range shot. Four minutes later, Luke Hunneyball’s cross gave Webster a golden opportunity but the big targetman headed over from 6 yards, Within two minutes, Nathan West was denied by a great last ditch tackle by Darren Reeks.
The Lion were by now bossing the game and on 56 minutes Danny Powell’s deflected cross found Enderby in space but the striker’s shot sliced wide. With just under 30 minutes left, Wysolki blocked Drown’s shot and Enderby clipped the loose ball over.
The decisive goal came on 77 minutes. West played an exquisite ball through to Drown who calmly fired home from 18 yards. The Lion should have wrapped it up with eight minutes left when Drown returned the favour to West. This time Wysolki brilliantly tipped the shot round.
With time running out Semington pushed for an equaliser. With three minutes left, Stonestreet’s punched clearance fell to Steve Weeks whose shot then hit the Lion post.
(Rob Drown, Luke Enderby)
Eric Hughes Cup Round Three
Second Division British Lion OC were due to travel to Seymour Road, Trowbridge to face Kings Arms (Trowbridge), but not for the first time this season the Arms' pitch resembled a boating lake rather than a football pitch, But the quick thinking of British Lion secretary Phil Oliver saved the day.
With his pitch at Green Lane, Devizes, out of action they switched the game to the always reliable Leafy Lane complex at Corsham and it was the leaders of Division Two who progressed to the final eight by virtue of a 2-1 success.
Within the opening 30 seconds, the Lion had a chance when Rob Drown caught Daniel Shanley in possession in his own penalty area, but goalkeeper Ashley Haines comfortably saved the shot from Andrew Webster.
Despite the early scare, Kings Arms immediately showed their pedigree and created two chances of their own in the first five minutes. Scott Askew set Lee Salter free and his shot whistled across the Lion goal and immediately afterwards Peter Spong weaved his way through the Lion defence and was only stopped by a last ditch tackle by Dave Crawford.
Spong and Askew were proving to be a handful for the Lion defence as Kings Arms bossed the early exchanges. After 15 minutes, the influential Nathan Flower crossed and Askew was only denied a free header at the back post by Crawford's timely interception.
Two minutes later, Lion's Luke Enderby's cross found Webster in yards of space but with a gilt edged chance, the striker's shot was blocked by Haines. With the Lion ruing the missed opportunity, Kings Arms went straight up the other end and Tarick Yachou's shot struck a post and was bundled away.
Going into the last 15 minutes of the first half, Kings Arms were now totally running the game and Askew, Sam McWade and Spong all went close from long range. A rare Lion attack after 34 minutes saw Enderby flick on Danny Powell's cross and the lively Luke Hunneyball's shot was cleared off the line.
Kings Arms deservedly took the lead after 38 minutes. Flower's diagonal ball split the Lion defence and Spong calmly chipped first time into the corner of Mark Stonestreet's net as the keeper advanced. It was nearly two a couple of minutes later as Askew's cross found Salter but the midfielder's shot skewed wide.
The Lion shook off a month's inactivity to come back into the game in the second period and after 58 minutes, Shane Holloway's 25 yard drive whistled wide of Haines' goal.
The equaliser came after 63 minutes. Mikey O'Donnell's pin-point free kick found Drown and the midfielder scored a rare headed goal from 12 yards.
The goal gave the Lion belief and they started to gain the upper hand. A minute later, star man Hunneyball went on another mazy run that ended up with Drown's shot being bundled away by Haines.
The Lion's second goal came straight after. With Jerome Dyer shepherding the ball out for a goal-kick, Webster managed to hook the ball across the box to find Enderby in acres of space and the young striker calmly slotted home from inside the penalty area.
After 73 minutes the Lion could have settled the encounter with two great chances. First, a mix-up between Jake Little and Haines allowed Enderby to steal in and his shot rolled inches wide. Then Mark Hulland's storming run and shot was blocked and as the ball bounced outside the area, Enderby's overhead shot dipped just over the bar.
The last ten minutes saw the Kings Arms throw everything at the Lion.
Murden, Spong and Yachou all had half chances but it was not to be as the Second Division side hung on.
British Lion OC 4 Sutton Benger 1
January 28th 2007
(Nathan West x2, Andrew Webster, Danny Powell)
With Devizes Town Council bizarrely declaring Green Lane unfit to play on Wednesday, British Lion OC were forced to play their home fixture against Sutton Benger at Stanley Park.
Inside the first 30 seconds, the Lion could have taken the lead. Danny Powell’s cross-field ball found Rob Drown six yards out but as the midfielder tried to control the ball a defender bundled the ball back into keeper Andy Best’s hands. On six minutes, Andrew Webster released strike partner Luke Enderby with a clear run on goal. With options available to him, Enderby decided to shoot early and his chipped effort went wide.
The miss didn’t prove costly as Lion took the leader a minute later. Drown’s whipped cross from the right flank was met supremely by Nathan West’s right foot and his 15 yard drive flew past Best’s dive. The Lion made it 2-0 on 25 minutes. Enderby’s inswinging corner was well met by Webster and his bullet header from eight yards left Best helpless.
The two goal lead should have been have the cushion to allow the Lion to expand their game but was Sutton Benger who clawed their way back into the game. Chris Miles’ smart turn and diagonal ball gave Rob Humphries a free run on goal but with time to pick his spot, he tamely shot at Mark Stonestreet. At the other end, Enderby’s quick through ball allowed Drown a chance to run on goal but his deft chip drifted just wide.
Although Webster had spent much of the first half being closely shepherded by Benger centre half Rob Kent, he managed to lose his marker four minutes before the break and get a shot on goal. His 15 yard effort was well saved by Best. Deep into stoppage time, Benger’s dogged determination got its rewards. The Lion didn’t clear a relatively harmless attack which resulted in Tom Birch’s cross being gleefully headed home by Humphries to make it 2-1.
Benger came out the blocks quickest in the second period and within the first five minutes both Nick Slade and Steve Gawke tested Stonestreet from distance. The Lion’s first attack of the second half nearly brought a goal. Although Drown met Enderby’s cross at the back post, he was unable to keep his first time shot from going over the bar. Nevertheless, the Lion did make it 3-1 on 55 minutes. Enderby’s beautifully weighted ball hit West in full stride and he curled round Best from 18 yards.
The contest was effectively finished on the hour. West was this time provider when he found Powell 25 yards out. With one touch, the midfielder struck a wicked curling shot that deceived goalkeeper Best to make it 4-1.
The lively James Pope tried to salvage something for Benger and twice in the last quarter of an hour he thumped 20 yard drives that had to be gathered by Stonestreet. In the dying seconds, Tom Evans had a chance to make it five for the Lion but Best saved well at the striker’s feet.
Lion took the points and manager Phil Oliver will be relieved to see that Darren Brown’s five minute cameo at the end will signal the start of his return from a long term injury.
Semington Rovers 3 British Lion OC 2
Eric Hughes Cup Quarter Final
February 4th 2007
(Nathan West, Tom Evans)
A re-match of an earlier Parr Trophy game matched up Semington Rovers against British Lion OC. This time it was Semington who were at full strength against a reshuffled Lion side that had only eleven fully fit players.
Semington dominated from the start and showed their intent within the opening 30 seconds when Bobby Mitchell headed Stuart Barber’s cross wide. The opening goal came in the 15th minute when Rich Allum’s cross from the left was calmly despatched first time by Kelvin Lockwood from 15 yards out.
The goal seemed to be the wake up call for the Lion as they immediately tried to strike back. Duncan Biggin’s free-kick was met by Andrew Webster but he was unable to keep his header down. On 18 minutes, Biggin’s clearance was nodded on by Danny Powell to leave Nathan West with a run on goal. His early shot sliced wide of the target. However the Lion’s equaliser came on 24 minutes. Biggin’s freekick was met by West and his glanced header crept past Tom Wysocki and in off of a post.
The Lion by now were more than matching their Division One hosts but were struggling to break down a resolute Semington back four marshalled by Allan Clarke. Luke Hunneyball’s weaving run did create a moment of danger but Wysocki clawed the ball away before Webster could head home at the back post.
At the other end, Barber’s neat twist and turn allowed him a yard to clip a wicked ball into the Lion penalty area but with Nathan Keegan stretching he could only deflect his shot wide. With 37 minutes gone, fullback Rich Allum tried his luck from 35-yards and his shot clipped the top of Mark Stonestreet’s crossbar. However, it was the Lion who took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Webster’s flick and Tom Evans’ deft touch again allowed West a run on goal. As West was clattered by defender and goalkeeper, the ball squirmed free to Evans’ who sidefooted home to make it 2-1.
The Lion should have finished the contest in the opening four minutes of the second half with two gilt edged chances to Evans. On 47 minutes he shot straight at Wysocki with only the keeper to beat and two minutes he didn’t cleanly connect with a free header 8 yards out.
With an hour gone, Semington brought on Josh Mills and Nathan Walker and this immediately brought them back into the contest. On 63 minutes Lockwood’s header was palmed away by Stonestreet, who then reacted brilliantly to block Walker’s follow up. A minute later Semington were awarded a penalty when Shane Holloway brought down Barber but Walker’s spot kick was well saved by Stonestreet.
Although Semington were now throwing everything at the Lion to grab an equaliser, they left themselves open to the counter-attack. Hunneyball whipped in a cross that eluded Ricky King but Webster’s outstretched leg could only clip the ball over the bar. The miss hurt the Lion as straight away Semington equalised in bizarre fashion. Barber’s initial header hit the top of the Lion cross-bar and with Stonestreet unable to see where the ball had gone, the Semington player followed up to nod home.
Again, the Lion had a chance to win it. On 76 minutes, West cross was met by Luke Enderby but he shot straight at Wysocki. Two minutes afterwards, Powell’s corner was well met by Webster’s head but Liam Richards cleared off the line. However, the decisive winning goal went to Semington with eight minutes left. With the Lion defence expecting a deep cross to go out off play, the ball clipped the top of the bar and stayed in play. Josh Mills reacted quickest and squared for Barber to drill home from six yards. Richards nearly made it four in the dying seconds but his 20-yard chip was tipped over by Stonestreet.
British Lion OC 5 AFC Calne 4
(Andrew Webster x2, Rob Drown, Mikey O'Donnell, Dave Crawford)
(League)
February 11th
On a heavy pitch and later than everyone had expected The British Lion entertained AFC Calne in a top of the table clash at Leafy Lane, Corsham. With the game delayed some 45 minutes due to a delay to the referee it was the Lion who started brightly and took the lead after 5 minutes when Nathan West’s shot was cleverly deflected past Aaron Ward in the Calne goal by Andrew Webster. The big striker then made 2-0 to the Lion after some great interplay between the burly striker and Rob Drown on the Lion’s right, Drown getting to the byline and when his cross was only cleared out to the edge of the box Webster ran in and drove the ball past a hapless Ward from 12 yards. The Lion were at this stage in full control of proceedings and looked like increasing the lead when Luke Enderby was through with only the keeper to beat. Enderby cleverly lobbed the keeper but was then taken out by Ward and with the whole team appealing for a penalty the ball dribbled wide.
AFC Calne then started to come out of their shell and got themselves back into the game thanks to some slack defending from the Lion. With the ball bobbling around in the box 3 Lion defenders failed to clear the ball and Richard Sheffield drilled the ball past an unsighted Stonestreet in the Lion goal. This gave Calne heart and they got the equalizer, they say they would deserve. Duncan Biggin fouled Paul Green by the touchline and from the resulting free kick Ryan Kelleher was left unmarked on the back post and gleefully accepted his chance to make it 2-2. Now Calne with the wind at their backs, and tails up, really went at the Lion and took the lead just before half-time thanks to a wonder strike from right back Sam Parish. He latched on to another poor clearance from the Lion defence and from 25 yards found the top corner of the goal.
The second half started in the same fashion as the first with Calne putting the pressure on and after 10 minutes increased their lead thanks to a deflected shot from the impressive Sheffield. It seemed harsh on Stonestreet the Lion’s keeper, having to pick the ball out the net 4 times but still yet to have a save to make but this soon changed when Simon Vowden cracked one from 20 yards and with it heading for the bottom corner Stonestreet tipped it round the post. The Lion’s stand in manager Andrew Webster made a change after this bringing on Mark Hulland to replace Enderby and this seemed to lift the Lion and soon after they were back in the game thanks to industrious midfielder Rob Drown. He found space in the box and fired home past Ward from ten yards. With the Lion sensing a chance to get something from the game they poured forward in search of an equalizer and finally got it 20 mins from time when, once again Drown found himself in the box and was brought down by Sam Parish and the referee instantly pointed to the spot. Up stepped Mikey O’Donnell to send Ward the wrong way and make it 4-4.
If the game had ended then both sides would have been happy with a point but the Lion’s never say die attitude came to the fore again and with 10 mins to go the Lion scored their 5th and winning goal. After a series of corners, which had seen Aaron Ward make 2 outstanding saves Dave Crawford found space at the back post and powerfully headed past the keeper to give the 2 points to the Lion and put a bit of breathing space between themselves and AFC Calne at the top of the table in what was an exhilarating match and a credit to the league.(Andrew Webster, Mikey O'Donnell)
W.G.Parr Trophy Quarter Final
February 18th
Division Four highfliers, Little George, hosted Division Two pace setters, British Lion OC on a muddy
The Lion got off to the best start possible when within ninety seconds, Mark Hulland was tripped in the Little George penalty area. Up stepped, Mikey O’Donnell to send keeper Dave Sett the wrong way to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Rob Drown then burst through the George defence on six minutes but his 20-yard drive dipped over.
From then on most of the first half became a cagey affair with neither side able to carve open an opportunity. However, the influential Luke Barrett was starting to make things tick in the George midfield and on 32 minutes, he created a half chance for, the so far quiet, Nat Auckland. Auckland perhaps with too much time to pick his spot was thwarted by Mark Sinclair in the Lion goal.
At the other end, Hulland, who was by far the Lion’s most prominent player, went on another of his urging runs and his deft pass left Andrew Webster with a half chance. The big striker’s shot from 20 yards drifted wide. Lion’s Dave Crawford had so far kept Ben Husband fairly quiet, in football terms anyway, but just before the break, the big striker turned his marker but shot at Sinclair. With seconds left before the half time break, Webster flicked on Sinclair’s clearance and gave Tom Evans a run. The pacey striker’s shot was straight at Sett.
Little George got their equaliser immediately after the restart. A Lion attack broke down and with frightening efficiency a slick five-man counter attack ended up with Husband clipping home from 8 yards. However, within eight minutes the Lion regained the lead. O’Donnell curled in a corner and an unmarked Webster headed home from six yards.
On the hour, Auckland’s corner was well met by Will Halliwell and his header crashed off the Lion crossbar and over. Nevertheless. Little George made it 2-2 with twenty minutes left. Halliwell’s cross was met by Steve Healy and although Sinclair got his fingertips to the ball he couldn’t prevent the ball from going in.
Within three minutes, the Lion nearly regained the lead as Luke Enderby set up Nathan West but his shot was comfortably saved by Sett. However, the crucial third goal came on 75 minutes. O’Donnell who had so far had a faultless performance left his back header short of Sinclair and Auckland nipped in to volley home.
The game now opened up as the Lion threw players at a stubborn Little George defence and the home side threatened on the counter. With twelve minutes to go, Duncan Biggin’s 30-yard shot dipped and bounced off Sett’s crossbar and West then fired over from the edge of the box after being set up by Webster.
Going into the dying minutes, Enderby’s cross was about to be turned home by Webster until a desperate last ditch tackle from skipper Oli Selman saved the day. When West then missed his kick when presented with a glorious chance in injury time, the Lion sensed it wasn’t going to their day. This was confirmed with seconds left on the watch when Little George broke quickly and Husband tapped home to make it 4-2.
British Lion OC 3 White Horse 0
(Shane Holloway, Andrew Webster, Gerry Thompson)
League - 25th Feb 2007
The British Lion kept their unbeaten league record in tact today but they had to scrap for every point against a dogged White Horse side.
The British were missing several key players and lost John Stockman just before kick off, due to work commitments, but started brightly and could have taken the lead twice inside the first 5 minutes, but Robert Drown fired one chance wide and he somehow managed to hit the ball over the bar from 3 yards just minutes later. The British eventually took the lead on 10 minutes when Shane Holloway scored his first goal for the club following a bustling run from midfield and well placed shot from 12 yards. The British kept chipping away at their opponents, who offered little in the way of trouble to the Lion’s back 3 who were superbly marshalled by the returning Darren Brown, and if it hadn’t been for some outstanding keeping between the sticks from Paul Whale they would have romped away from the visitors. A fine one handed save from Tom Evan’s shot across goal was the highlight and the British went in 1-0 up at half time.
It was more of the same in the second half, Enderby hitting the post, Webster curling a 30 yard effort just wide and some more great keeping, this time by stand in keeper Clive Black who had taken over half way through the second half was making the British get frustrate but they finally got the all important second goal in the 80th minute. A lofted through ball from debutant Adam Bewley found leading goal scorer Andrew Webster the right side of the White Horse defence to lob the advancing keeper from 10 yards. And with 2 minutes left Gerry Thompson drilled home a vicious shot from 30 yards to seal the win and preserve their unbeaten record.
British Lion OC 8 Horse and Groom 0
(Luke Enderby x3, Mark Hulland x2, Danny Powell, Dave Crawford, Rob Drown)
League
March 4th 2007
Second Division nomads, British Lion OC, this week were indebted to the generosity of Bromham FC in allowing them the use of Jubilee Fields to get their fixture played.
Although Andrew Webster was missing through injury, the return of Danny Powell, John Stockman, Nathan West, Mikey O’Donnell and John Stockman boosted the Lion line up. Sadly, Chris Fenwick’s Horse and Groom side were let down by a number of players and were forced to play the match with nine men.
With a strong wind and slope in their favour, the Lion immediately laid siege to the Horse’s goal and Darren Brown whistled a 25-yard drive over in the third minute. Within thirty seconds, Nick Harrison in the Horse goal spilt Danny Powell’s 20-yard strike but reacted brilliantly to deflect Luke Enderby’s follow up away. The Lion took the lead on nine minutes when Powell nudged Adam Bewley’s cross on and Enderby calmly slotted home from 8 yards. It was 2-0 three minutes later as Bewley’s cross was crashed home by Mark Hulland’s left foot.
With Rob Drown making it 3-0 on 18 minutes, the floodgates threatened to open. Powell’s deft first time lob from Duncan Biggin’s through ball drifted over and Paul Aland did well to clear Drown’s close range effort from off of the line. The fourth did come on 25 minutes on the back of Hulland’s crunching tackle. He set up Powell who clipped home from 6 yards.
Hulland then scored his second and the Lion’s fifth on the half hour following Enderby’s quick free kick. Bewley was again provider as his cross was ferociously smashed home from 25 yards by the Lion midfielder. Enderby made it sixth just before the break from the penalty spot after John Stockman was fouled in the area.
Despite being battered by both the Lion and the elements in the first half, the Horse regrouped well and can take some comfort from a dogged display in the second period. Enderby was denied a hat trick in the opening minute when Aland again cleared off the line. At the other end, a free kick swung into the Lion box ended up with Ben Derrick misconnecting and then Dean Connolly’s close range shot being blocked for a corner.
In the 51st minute Bewley’ pass found Stockman but his shot was well blocked by Harrison. Derrick then tested Mark Stonestreet from 30-yards as the Horse sought a consolation for their efforts. The Lion became frustrated as the Chris and John Fenwick, Aland, and Tim Beecham superbly resisted everything thrown at them. However, they were cruelly punished for their gallant second half display as the Lion padded out their victory with two goals in the last six minutes.
Centre half Dave Crawford nearly burst the net with his 25-yard piledriver and Enderby finally completed his hat trick with a curled effort from the edge of the box.
British Lion OC 1 Biddestone White Horse 0
Duncan Biggin
FRIENDLY
In difficult playing conditions at Leafy Lane, Corsham, British Lion OC played a friendly match against Biddestone White Horse of Division 3. The match was closely fought with Biddestone having the clearer opportunities throughout the match as they hit the post four times in the first half. But the only goal of the game came when Mark Hullands header back across goal from a corner fell to Captain Duncan Biggin who superbly cushioned the ball with his chest and swivelled sharply to lash home a volley from 6 yards
British Lion OC 1 Rowde 0
(Mikey O'Donnell)
League
For the first time since 15 October 2006, British Lion OC were able to play a game at their Green Lane home and this time they entertained fellow highfliers, Rowde, in what was a clash of the unbeaten sides in Division Two.
With a strong crosswind affecting play, it was Rowde who adapted quicker and immediately the midfield of Danny Moxom and Charlie Collier starting stroking the ball around. Rowde’s first chance came on three minutes when Rob Mitchell’s cross was volleyed over by Jamie Mullens from six yards. On eleven minutes Mullens’ snap shot from 18 yards was saved by Mark Stonestreet in the Lion goal and as the ball squirmed free strike partner, Marcus Wallen, was denied by Dave Crawford’s timely block on the line. Stonestreet again came to the Lion’s rescue on 15 minutes when we saved smartly from Ray Clemence’s 15-yard drive.
After being run ragged for the first quarter of an hour, the Lion slowly came back in the game. Rob Drown’s through ball eluded Rowde centre half, Craig Whitbread and let Andrew Webster free. The beefy striker’s shot rasped across the goal. Drown was now starting to find some freedom in the midfield and on twenty minutes, he skipped Moxham’s clumsy tackle to fire in a cross. Webster’s head met it well but the ball flashed wide of Ashley Robinson’s goal. Ten minutes before the break, Webster’s opportunist strike from 25 yards threatened to catch Robinson napping but the tall keeper got down well to his right.
Going into the second period goalless, Rowde manager Kevin Whitbread changed his formation and immediately Mitchell’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide for a corner. However, football matches can be decided by small changes and Rowde’s halftime switch strangely seemed to work against them. Lion’s Nathan West, who had spent much of the first half picking up the dangerous Clemence, suddenly now found plenty of space to roam in and started to push forward. His cross on 54 minutes was well met by Luke Enderby but Robinson somehow managed to paw his header away.
The decisive goal came on the hour. From a full 35 yards out, Lion’s Mike O’Donnell drove his freekick in towards Webster. The ball curled in the wind and dipped under Robinson’s crossbar to make it 1-0. Two minutes later, West’s cross was well met by Webster but Robinson reacted brilliantly to turn his header away for a corner. At the other end, Mitchell’s rasping 30-yard freekick was well gathered by Stonestreet.
Although Rowde desperately sought an equaliser, they became more vulnerable to the Lion’s swift counters. The Lion’s Drown, Mark Hulland and John Stockman (against his former team) were now dominating the midfield and it was a smart move between them that set up Webster on 73 minutes. Again, Robinson’s smart reactions saved the day. Rowde’s last hopes of retrieving a point disappeared in a moment of madness from Moxham on 82 minutes. Booked in the first half for a series of fouls, his comment to referee Neil Fautley following another foul earned him a second yellow and then a red card.
British Lion OC 5 Biddestone Arms 0
(League)
Andrew Webster x2, Danny Powell, Duncan Biggin, Dave Crawford
British Lion OC extended their 100% league record this season to 14 games with a comfortable 5-0 win over Biddestone arms side at Green Lane.
Arms’ keeper Dave Chick was forced into action within the first 30 seconds when he smartly turned over John Stockman’s 30-yard piledriver. However within two minutes, Lion keeper Mark Stonestreet also had to make a save when he beat away Chris Mochan snapshot. The Lion settled well and took the lead on 17 minutes. Mikey O’Donnell’s pinpoint cross found Andrew Webster and he powerfully headed home. It was 2-0 five minutes later. The evergreen Fran Fife, Webster and Rob Drown interchanged and although Danny Powell’s initial shot was blocked, he forced home the rebound from close range.
Within the next five minutes, Chick twice denied Nathan West. Firstly from his close range flick and secondly at full stretch to turn aside a 20 yard shot. Although Webster then headed West’s cross over, he made up for it in the 29th minute. Powell’s lightning break and early cross left Webster with a simple tap in to make it 3-0. Straight after Paul Duckett had a good chance to pull one back for the Arms but he shot at Stonestreet when well placed.
The Lion played some of their best football this season in the first half and with better finishing would have extended their lead earlier. Powell and Stockman both squandered good chances and Chick denied Webster a hat trick with his feet. However the fourth did come just before the break from a rehearsed set piece. O’Donnell’s corner curled in and centre half Duncan Biggin slipped his marker to volley home from close range.
It was more of the same after the break and immediately Chick was forced to palm West’s 25-yard drive onto his crossbar. At the other end Jamie Gale tested Stonestreet from 20-yards. Nevertheless, the Arms’ regrouped well and slowly managed to claw their way back into the game and it was 65 minutes before the Lion threatened again. This time Chick denied Drown from the edge of the box.
Substitute Tom Evans made an immediate impact and was instrumental in many of the Lion’s later moves. The Lion made it 5-0 on 66 minutes when Dave Crawford headed home Evans already goal bound shot. A minute later Evans robbed Chick in possession but shot into the side netting. The Arms were awarded a controversial penalty on 78 minutes when Crawford was judged to have pushed Ray Banks. It was not costly as the usually reliable Jack Goodship was denied by Stonestreet’s third penalty save this season.
Going into the last ten minutes, Evans set up Stockman but as the midfielder was about to shot the ball stuck under his feet. The best move of the second half came in injury time as Evans jinked his way past five Arms players to then release Luke Enderby. Webster crashed the resulting cross against the post from 8 yards.
Horse and Groom 1 British Lion OC 9
(League)
Tom Evans x4, Rob Drown x2, Luke Enderby x2, Nathan West
Horse & Groom played their penultimate game of the season at home to league leaders British Lion OC at a windy Leighton Sports Ground.
The Lion started brightly and within five minutes should have taken the lead. Andrew Webster met Nathan West’s cross but his header lacked power and was comfortably saved by Nick Harrison. The lead came within a minute though. Mark Stonestreet’s long boot up field caught the Horse’s defence flat and Tom Evans calmly lobbed the ball over
Lion were totally dominating at this stage and Evans was only denied a hat trick on 12 minutes when Scott Brown’s timely tackle stopped the young striker from close range. However, Evans completed his trio on a quarter of an hour with another strikers’ finish. The charismatic John Stockman released Rob Drown and his squared ball allowed Evans to slide home from six yards. Centre half Dave Crawford was denied the Lion’s fourth goal when his header of Mikey O’Donnell’s corner was cleared off the line.
With a strong crosswind, the Horse found it hard to get forward in the first period but Duncan Biggin’s foul on Ben Derrick in the 33rd minute gave them a rare opportunity. Alex Lutskes’ 25 yard free-kick was hit well but curled wide. The Lion made it 4-0 five minutes later with a superbly crafted goal. Drown’s chip into the box was beautifully chested down by Stockman to allow West to tee up, juggle and then volley on the turn into the top corner from 20-yards. Adam Bewley then fired a vicious 25-yard drive wide and West drilled another 20-yard strike but this time straight at Harrison. Right on the break Horse fullback Brown whistled a 35-yard shot HaHfrom nowhere that made Stonestreet scuttle across his line before watching it drift wide.
The Horse came out of the stalls quickly in the second half and pulled a goal back on 52 minutes. Although a long clearance was backed headed by Lion’s Crawford, the alert Derrick nipped in and crisply shot home to be the first person to score past Mark Stonestreet in over 500 minutes of football. The goal motivated the Lion to step up a gear and six minutes Drown skipped past Brown and thumped a shot against the Horse’s near post. At the other end, another sweetly hit Lutskes corner was met by Derrick but his free header went over.
The Lion made it 5-1 and effectively killed the contest on the hour. Webster showed a deceptive turn of pace when he shrugged off John Fenwick’s challenge and his cross was bundled home by Evans for his fourth goal. A mirror image move a minute later should have brought another Lion goal but this time Evans hit the side netting. Webster then set up Drown who clinically finished from 10 yards to make it 6-1.
With Evans and Webster now substituted, there was time for Luke Enderby and Danny Powell to continue where they had left off. In the 69th minute, Powell’s deft through ball set Drown free and he fired past Harrison to make it 7-1. Horse nearly pulled a goal back with ten minutes left when yet another Lutskes’ freekick was struck by Chris Fenwick but West bundled the ball off the Lion line.
Enderby put the icing on the cake with two exquisite finishes in the last three minutes. Firstly he curled home West’s through ball from the edge of the box and then in injury time, after Powell and West had linked well, a little shimmy gave him space to crack a wicked shot past Harrison from an acute angle.
Pig & Whistle 1 British Lion OC 2
(League)
John Stockman, Luke Hunneyball
Awdry Avenue hosted a game of football that would have graced the Western League as Pig & Whistle United took on league leader British Lion OC.
The Lion showed they meant business straight from then start as Andrew Webster tried his luck from 25-yards within the first 30 seconds but his volley flew wide. Danny Powell then hit Webster with his freekick but the bulky targetman’s header sailed wide. Within four minutes Webster sent another header over following smart work between Luke Enderby and the guesting Luke Hunneyball.
Despite being on the backfoot from the start the Pig slowly came back into the game and on 13 minutes Nathan Mantle sent a warning header over the bar after good work from Adrian Cooper. Playmaker Aaron Richardson started to put his mark on the game for the Pig and when Kai Miller’s cross found him in space at the back post he should have done better than fire his shot across the Lion goal.
With both teams heavily competing across the middle of the park, it was clear that something out of the norm was going to break the deadlock. On 35 minutes, Lion’s Rob Drown was brought down and up steeped Webster to take the freekick from 25-yards. David Butler parried his strike onto the crossbar and John Stockman reacted quickest to fire home the rebound to make 1-0 to the Lion.
With nothing to choose between the two sides, the second half started with the same tempo. On 49 minutes, Hunneyball’s cross was well met by Drown’s head but Butler in the Pig goal reacted well. Five minutes later Powell tested Butler’s reactions as his 25-yard thunderbolt pulled out a smart save from the Pig keeper. The Lion looked for the crucial second goal and Mark Hulland’s cross ended up at Drown’s feet who blasted over from 20-yards. With 56 minutes gone, Powell then flicked on Stonestreet’s long kick but Webster saw his first time shot skew wide.
Pig came back again and with 73 minutes gone, Andy Robbins’ long thrown was met by substitute Matthew Cooper but Stonestreet gathered well. However, Pig’s hard work was rewarded with an equaliser two minutes later. Stewart Avery’s corner was met by Richardson’s head and somehow the ball squeezed in at the near post to make 1-1.
The Lion retaliated and Stonestreet’s long punt was hit first time by Powell but his volley dipped over. With the Lion seeking to maintain their 100% league record they threw bodies forward and it was a moment of magic that restored their lead with five minutes left. Drown released the hardworking Hunneyball who after skipping past Robins, fired a vicious 20-yard drive past Butler to make it 2-1 to the Lion.
The Pig desperately sought an equaliser and their hard grafts in the dying moments were nearly rewarded in injury time when Stevenson found half a yard, but his 10-yard shot was brilliantly beaten away by Stonestreet. The Lion hung on to gain two hard earned points against a Pig & Whistle side that showed character that belied their league position.
FC Bradford 1 British Lion OC 11
(League)
(Luke Enderby x4, Andrew Webster x2, Tom Evans x2, Nathan West x2, Rob Drown)
A nine man FC Bradford side hosted league leaders British Lion OC in a fixture that will be sadly remembered for all the wrong reasons.
It was little surprise that the Lion dominated from the start but was 18 minutes before they took the lead. Mark Hulland’s diagonal ball split the
Shane Holloway then slid a ball through the
With the Lion now opening up the Bradford defence at will, the game sadly descended into a joke as the
The second half became an embarrassment, as many of the
The Lion made it 8-0 with two goals within a minute on the hour. Firstly, West set up Evans for a simple tap in and then a mirror image goal ended up with Luke Enderby tapping in from two yards.
By now
Jordon’s excursions into the Lion half cost him on 76 minutes when he lost possession. Luke Enderby proceeded to then run 70-yards and tapped into an empty net. Enderby completed his hat-trick two minutes later when he caught Jordon and Williams in possession and scored the Lion’s tenth from close range. Another lengthy Enderby run and tap in a minute later made it 11-0.
With only one team attempting to play the game, it deteriorated as a spectacle very quickly and the Lion were guilty of missing a hatful of gilt-edged chances. However, the final say in this debacle was with
Credit must be given to referee Iain Currie who showed immense calm and patience in ensuring that the game was completed.
Division two leaders made the short journey to
The second half continued in the same vain as the first with Lion stamping their authority on the game straight from the whistle, the score became 4-0 two minutes into the half when Mark Hulland threaded a slide rule pass through to Luke Enderby who calmly slotted the ball past the Crown keeper from 15 yards. 20 minutes into the second half Lion scored their 5th when Enderby showed great skill to dance around three players inside his own half and pinged a 40 yard ball to Webster who seeing the keeper advance, nodded the ball past him to leave himself an easy tap in for his second of the game. The last 20 minutes brought few chances but the Crown did manage to pull one goal back with ten minutes left when Leigh Wells tried his luck from 25 yards and was rewarded when the ball squirmed into the far corner. Wells managed to make it a hatrick of bookings for his side late on and in stoppage time Lion Skipper Duncan Biggin ventured forward in search of a goal but unluckily shot wide from a Mikey O’Donnell corner.
British Lion OC 7 Southwick Sports 0
League
(Luke Enderby x4, Andrew Webster, Rob Drown, Nathan West)
British Lion looking for two points to secure promotion hosted a Southwick Sports side looking to improve on their recent good form.
The Lion immediately took the game to Southwick and within five minutes Mark Hulland’s precision through ball deserved a better finish from Andrew Webster who blasted over from the edge of the penalty box. Webster then crossed for midfielder Rob Drown but Southwick keeper, Daniel Mercer bundled the ball away.
Despite being forced onto the back foot, Southwick’s composure gave them sporadic forays forward and on 13 minutes Steve Fox’s 25-yard drive whistled over the Lion crossbar. At the other end Tom Evans and Nathan West linked well and West’s cross was headed over by Webster. Evans then fired over as Lion found Southwick’s stubborn resistance hard to break down.
Finally the breakthrough came on 20 minutes. Danny Rawlings hit a precision cross and Drown’s first touch was enough to strike past Mercer, Hulland then rattled the top of the bar as the Lion sought a killer second goal.
Going into the second period, the Lion killed the contest with two inspired finishes from Luke Enderby. On 49 minutes, Drown’s cross was killed and with a faint of the hips his left foot shot flew in, A minute later the talisman striker mirrored his earlier goal with another text book finish in the same bottom corner. The Lion now started to run riot and Enderby turned provider just before the hour as he teased his way free before squaring for Webster to smash home from close range to make it 4-0.
With the win and promotion seemingly now secured, the Lion expanded their game. Enderby’s cross was met by Hulland’s head but Mercer parried the attempt. Drown robbed Fox on 69 minutes and squared for Enderby who clipped past Mercer to make it 5-0 and complete a superb hat-trick,
The young striker capped a devastating performance with a well deserved fourth goal with fifteen minutes left. Drown sliced open the Southwick defence and Enderby ran 40-yards before calmly beating Mercer. West then put the icing on the cake with five minutes left. A superb bit of close control and a clinical left foot volley on the turn into the top corner was enough to send the Lion into Division One.
Credit to be given to a hardworking Southwick side whose commitment and sportsmanship didn’t deserve such a scoreline.
Rowde 1 British Lion OC 3
League
(Danny Powell, Mark Hulland, John Stockman)
Old rivals Rowde and British Lion OC meet at
Rowde had called in a few of their big guns in Gary Campbell and Danny Moxham for this game albeit the two inspirational midlfelders were not fully match fit. The Lion missed targetman Andrew Webster who was carrying a bruised kidney from last week.
Rowde flew out of the blocks and immediately took the game to the league leaders. However, it was the Lion who nearly scored first on seven minutes when Mikey O’Donnell’s freekick nearly found Luke Enderby at the back post. Martin Robinson’s timely header away prevented a free header on goal. The Lion broke the deadlock on eleven minutes with a simple but clinical finish. Enderby’s hard work forced earned him the ball 35-yards out and with a deft chip into the box Danny Powell calmly volleyed home from 15 yards.
Two minutes later Rowde’s Jamie Mullens showed why he is a much-feared striker with an exquisite flick and turn that set him free. Mark Stonestreet was alert enough to block his run with his feet. Despite being forced onto the backfoot by Rowde’s pressure, the Lion always threatened with quick counters. Rob Drown was first denied by a smart save by Ashley Robinson and then on 19 minutes skewed a glorious chance wide from six yards after Mark Hulland had set him up. The miss wasn’t to prove fatal as a minute later Hulland showed a moment of brilliant skill to skip past three players before firing into Robinson’s bottom corner to make it 2-0 to the Lion.
Whatever thoughts the Lion had of thinking the title was now won were immediately bucked as Rowde flew back. Former Bar OC player Rob Mitchell ripped a wicked cross in that was met by Ray King at the back post but his header flew over. Mullens then [produced a moment of sublime class to fire in a dipping 20-yard drive that Stonestreet did superbly to turn over. Rowde’s graft got a deserved goal back with five minutes left in the half. King’s corner was sliced by O’Donnell and Martin Robinson stole in to score from close range. King nearly produced an equaliser right on the break when his deep cross was well met by Mitchell but Stonestreet pushed round for a corner.
Going into the second half Rowde continued their forays into the Lion half and again Mitchell was the key threat. A deft turn of Nathan West and John Stockman allowed him to cut in but his shot whistled over. In the 51st minute, Marcus Wallen’s cross found Campbell in space but his shot was sliced wide. Ray Clemence was then only inches wide when he headed Mitchell’s free kick
With a Rowde equaliser looming, the Lion struck with the killer punch on the hour. With Drown brought down on the edge of the penalty area, up stepped O’Donnell to fire in a free kick that Ashley Robinson did well to stop but was powerless to prevent Stockman from gleefully drilling home from the rebound to make it 3-1 to the Lion.
With the title now in their grasp, the Lion proceeded to shut down the game and despite Rowde dominating possession in the last 30 minutes, chances were rare. The best came with 15 minutes left when Wallen managed to beat the tightening shackles of Dave Crawford. Mullen’s head met his cross but Stonestreet reacted well.
With Manager Phil Oliver neurotically pacing the line, the Lion saw out the game to secure a second title in three years.
With several players missing through injury, work and watching their Championship teams play, a weakened British Lion OC side were pushed all the way by a plucky Biddestone Arms side.
The Arms showed their intent straight from the start and the lively Jack Goodship thumped a 25-yard drive just wide inside the first minute. However, it was the visitors who struck first two minutes later. Mark Stonestreet’s long kick was headed on by Danny Powell and Luke Enderby’s deft flick set Nathan West free on goal. With Mark Ogilvie advancing West calmly clipped past him to make it 1-0. The lead was doubled on seven minutes and again West was the scorer. Powell’s corner was deflected onto the bar, the loose ball was then thumped against the bar again by Dave Crawford and West headed home the loose ball from close range.
The Arms were not going to give in and their spirit was rewarded on 15 minutes. Ogilvie’s long ball was nodded on and Goodship stole in to fire past Stonestreet to make it 2-1. At the other end West nearly turned provider when his cross found Mark Hulland in space. Ogilvie did well to block the close range shot.
Another Ogilvie long ball nearly produced an Arms equaliser on 20 minutes. Stonestreet didn’t gather the ball cleanly and Joe Chaffey’s snap shot was bundled away by West. On the half hour Andy Davis thumped an opportunist 25-yard drive, which unluckily went straight at Stonestreet. However, four minutes later the Lion extended their lead when a sliced clearance was smartly hooked home by West to complete his hat trick. West nearly got a fourth three minutes before the break but his header was cleared off the line. Rich Chaffey then spurned a glorious chance for the Arms right on half time when he headed wide
The Arms immediately got back into the game two minutes into the second period. Stonestreet dropped Joe Chaffey’s cross and Goodship gleefully blasted home the free ball. Five minutes later the Lion could have regained a two lead when Hulland’s long diagonal ball found West in space but his lob dipped just over. The Lion did make it 4-2 on the hour. Another long punt from Stonestreet ended up at Luke Enderby’s feet and he deftly clipped the ball past the oncoming Ogilvie. Danny Powell then set Enderby free again but this time his finish went just over the bar. Hulland and Enderby then set up Powell but Ogilvie bravely blocked his shot at his feet.
Going into the last five minutes, the Rams were awarded a penalty when Duncan Biggin was adjudged to have climbed over Chris Mocham. Having a penalty saved by Stonestreet in the first game between the two sides, the usually reliable Goodship this time fired his spot kick wide.
The Lion saw out the last few minutes to make it 21 wins this season albeit with a below par performance and not without a few scares from a resilient Biddestone Arms side.
With both sides weakened through work commitments, injury and general tiredness, the top two sides in Division Two played out a game that would have meant so much more had it been played two months ago.
The Lion flew out of the blocks and promptly took the lead on six minutes. Nathan West’s key pass allowed Ron Drown to dance and shimmy past two players before calmly placing his shot into the bottom right corner of John Jones’ goal. Six minutes later it was 2-0. Lion keeper, Mark Stonestreet’s long kick was flicked on by Danny Powell and Tom Evans was left one on one with Jones. Evans won and his chip from 18-yards was clinical.
The Ship continued to play attractive football and pulled a goal back on the half hour. With the Lion defence asleep after a delayed corner, a half clearance fell to Nick James whose shot was deflected past Stonestreet to make it 2-1.
However, five minutes later, the Lion restored their two-goal lead. Darren Brown’s exquisite chip found Evans again free on goal. Although Jones did enough to initially block the shot onto the post, Evans was strong enough to bundle the ball home. Five minutes before the break, West could have made it four for the Lion but his 10-yard shot rattled off the woodwork.
The Ship started the second half with determination to get back into the game and continued to stroke the ball around. However, with striker Dave Percival missing, their football lacked the killer punch up front.
The Lion effectively killed the contest on the hour as Evans completed his hat trick. Drown’s through ball split a flat Ship back four and Evans calmly slotted his shot under Jones to make it 4-1.
Evans then spurned two more chances to have completed his night and Luke Enderby, playing in an unfamiliar right midfield position, saw his drive deflected away from a certain goal as the Lion pushed on.
With time running out, Ashley Bennison tested Stonestreet from range but the keeper acrobatically tipped his shot over. Lee Hayward and Toby Dawson also fired in long-range efforts, but it was not to be for The Ship as the Lion completed a 100% record for the season.
Special note has to be made of the work rate of Danny Powell who played his last game for the Lion after four years service for the club. All at the club wish him well for the future.