The Lions Eventually Roar In 5-2 Win Over Newtown

The Lions overcame a rocky first half and sweltering heat to eventually run out comfortable 5-2 winners against the auld enemy, Newtown. There were understandably some nervy moments as Coach Jez tries to implement a more progressive passing style of football, but those Saturday beers are always a little sweeter after a win over the chaps from Malvern.

The first half was relatively even, with the game swinging back and forth. A lovely move down the right between Huckerby and Edwards led to the ball falling to Parkes in the box, who finished with aplomb after ten minutes.

However, eleven minutes later the Lions found themselves 2-1 down, with two almost identical goals coming from attacks down our left-hand side. Coach Parkes nearly had a heart attack and made a sound that only dogs could hear as the second one went in. Both goals were a bit scrappy, but new signing Lane in goal could do little about either of them. Coach Parkes' blood pressure was becoming dangerously high at this point, as he could be heard offering quiet encouragement to the Lions defence on the sidelines.

Getting to half time 2-1 down wasn't the end of the world as the Lions hadn't really got their passing game going, the first goal aside. The constant screams of "PASS IT?" from the sidelines were not having the desired effect, so a half-time pint and a cigar were needed to calm the nerves.

The second half was a different story as the Lions eventually came to life. It was cagey and scrappy for the first ten minutes before the game exploded in the last fifteen minutes. As Newtown's best player became more and more frustrated, Parkes calmly brought us level after a quick passing move and a through ball from Huckerby.

With their tails up, Parkes completed his hat-trick whilst lying on the ground following a dangerous corner from Edwards. It soon became 4-2 following a quick free-kick from Edwards and some good footwork from Parkes led to the latter finishing powerfully. There was still time for Parkes to grab his, and the Lion's fifth, with a marauding run from his own half and another tidy finish.

The scoreline maybe flattered the Lions somewhat, given that they only really clicked in the last ten minutes. The calmer passing style of football will take a while to implement, but there were signs of a promising season ahead if they can get that going more regularly. With Lane again solid in goal, some committed defending, Huckerby and Edwards pulling the passing strings, and Parkes at his explosive best - there was plenty to be upbeat about.

Coach Parkes said after the game: "I LOVE IT, LOVE IT WHEN WE BEAT THEM. Got there in the end, with some quick passing and good finishing. I'm sweating my tits off after that though, it was like the Sahara out there. Nice to get a team picture of the boys looking like drowned cats I thought. Might need to take the audio off the Veo cam too, FFS. Time for a lie-down."