FC Lions vs Jolly Sportsman First
1 - 2
13 September 2020 · High Wycombe Sunday Football Combination<br>HWSFC Division Three 2024 - 25
Home league match played on 13 September 2020.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
1-2
vs Jolly Sportsman First
Home league match
A new look FC Lions returned to action, almost 6 months to the day since their last competitive outing, and ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline, tasting their first defeat of the season.
After a summer period which saw no fewer than 16 new signings, and several high profile departures, there were competitive debuts for 5 players, (Catigoudis, Lunnon, D.Edwards, T.Edwards, Dixon) and a return after a number of years for winger, Benn Heggarty.
Lions started in a 4-5-1 and took the lead on 15 minutes, when Ollie Heath, fresh from a brace in his last pre-season friendly, bundled home after the keeper had saved a point blank Harry Lunnon effort, Lunnon's chasing and harrying creating the opportunity out of nothing.
Skipper Scott Sharples, fell foul of the referee and entered his book in the 20th minute for a poor challenge, before an embarrassing mix up between Pete Ebeerson and Brandon Boyle gifted the visitors an undeserved equaliser from nothing.
Lunnon and then Phippen forced the away keeper into heroics just before the break, saving twice, the second from Phippen particularly impressive, clawing away an almost certain goal from the top corner.
HT - 1-1
Lions, enjoying the use of 5 substitutes due in large to their excessive summer recruitment spree, rang some changes at the interval with D.Edwards replacing Andy Harris, Jamelle Theobalds coming on for Benn Heggarty and Dale Why entering the fray at the expense of Ryan Baker.
The game petered on in it's dull state, with not much action to report until Jamelle Theobalds had an effort ruled out for a tight offside decision, before super sub, George King pounced on a through ball and lofted a first time effort over the advancing Brandon Boyle to seal Jolly Sportmans maiden victory at Premier Division level, and condemn Lions to their first defeat in the process.
Man of the Match: Theo Edwards, an almost faultless display at left back. Has a bright future at the club.
Niko Catigoudis and John Dixon entered the field of play shortly after for Ben Forster and Ollie Heath, respectively.