After 3 wins in a row the Lions were up-beat and everyone was looking forward to taking on the old enemy.It was to be a hard fought encounter and one in which every Lion did themselves and the team proud.
The starting team was,Pringle in goal,Rice and Watson at the back,Spencer( captain ) Morris,Nightingale,Wallace and Volker Nagel up front.
subs,Alexander,Smith,DeSilva,Bristow.
The game got off to a good start for the Lions with some neat football causing the Animals a few problems early on.They had a strong Mexican player playing in the middle of midfield who looked dangerous,but after a few challenges from Morris he looked a lot less threatening.Everyone was getting stuck in and really putting the pressure on in search of a goal.
It was no surprise when it came, but what a goal.Following some good approach work,the ball fell to Morris just outside the area.The ball sat up inviting to be thumped,which it duly was,left foot just inside the post.1-0 Lions.
This stung the Animals into action and they began to look a bit more purposeful.They moved around well,but still didn't really create any chances.
Despite this,they got a rather fortunate equaliser when the ball squirmed up into the air and fell down kindly for one of their players to nearly make a hash of putting it over the line.
The heat and the tempo began to rise as both teams went in search of goals,but at half-time it remained 1-1
The Lions came out in positive mood for the restart and began to apply pressure straight away.The Animals were also pushing forward and bringing the ball out from the back well to create an extra man.
This was a danger to the Lions and it also proved costly to the Animals as they lost possesion and defence was neatly turned into attack with a great through ball for Wallace to net cooly and make it 2-1 Lions
The game was still open and there were obviously more goals to come.After some good work in the middle Ken Brown broke into the box and fired an angled shot goalwards,only to see it slip agonisingly past the post with the keeper nowhere.
Unfortunately the next chance was to go to the opposition.One of their defenders ( crazy Crane ) was completely out of position in the Lions penalty area and latched onto a loose ball,crashing it into the net from close range to make it 2-2.
The Lions were stunned,down,but not out.
Both teams continued to press,looking for the winner and,as so often happens in these games the referee was to play a major part in the outcome.
The Animals were awarded a penalty for foot up by a Lions defender.It was a harsh decision,but not a totally unexpected one given the officials interpretation of the rules.
David of the Animals stepped up to take the kick and despite Mark getting a hand to it,converted to make it Lions 2-3 Animals.
There was still time for an equaliser which would have been well deserved,as the Lions poured forward.Robin had a good effort go just over the bar and in the dying minutes a great pull back from Nagel set up Alexander for a shot,which the keeper saved at the near post.
That was to be the last chance and an oportunity of beating the old enemy slipped away.At the end of the game it was handshakes all round as the match had been played in a good spirit.This was due mainly to the absence of a certain Frenchman from the Animals.
Nick
