Lion make a winning return home (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Lion make a winning return home

12:11pm Monday 19th March 2007 in Football

Chippenham Sunday League Division Two

For the first time since October 15, 2006, British Lion OC were able to play a game at their Green Lane home.

This time they entertained fellow highfliers, Rowde, in what was a clash of the unbeaten sides in Division Two and it was the hosts who preserved their 100 per cent record with a 1-0 success that saw them make it 13 out of 13 wins.

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 20 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.

Trowbridge based Ship FC moved into second spot after they beat Biddestone Arms 7-1 despite falling behind to a Chris Mochan goal after just 20 seconds.

Paul Gittins dragged the Ship level and a quickly taken free kick from Shaun Percival put the Ship 2-1 ahead. Liam Millburn's delicate chip made it 3-1 and when Dave Percival thundered home a stunning strike from 25 yards the game was all but over. Lee Wilson bagged his first goal for the club when he squeezed the ball home from an acute angle to make it 5-1 minutes after he had rattled the woodwork.

Ashley Bennison making his comeback from injury joined the fun with the Ship's sixth and Dave Percival took his total for the season to 25 with his teams seventh of the game which took their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Horse & Groom were able to field only 10 players for their game away to Southwick Sports who managed to win 3-0, Darren Jones gave them a first half lead and two goals from player / manger Carl Davies sealed what should have been a more impressive victory than it was.

FC Bradford were in a worse state than the Horse & Groom as they could only raise eight players to take on The Crown Devizes who inspite of a three man advantage only led 2-1 at the break and finished up 6-1 victors.

Paul Revening and Darren Thorpe scored first half goals for the Crown with Phil Radwell replying for Bradford with a stunning drive from 20 yards out. A second half double from Matt Hash plus singles from Niall MacLean and Andrew Beavan-Witts made up the winners half dozen.