F.C. Lions of Wycombe recorded their first ever victory on the back of what was a polished team performance, in Sunday's League game versus fellow new boys H-Town. There were two notable absentee's in the Lions squad, with Marcus Cook unavailable and Alan Davies rested, this meant John Tilbury came into the Lions starting XI for only the second time this season, and Luke Bond returned to the squad following a two-week absence.
Player/Manager Will Carter decided to go with himself and Tilbury up front, thus rekindling a strike partnership that hadn't been seen together in a competitive 11-a-side game for over 10 years, leaving the unfortunate Ben Phippen to await his chance from the side lines. This decision raised a couple of murmurs within the squad pre-game, but proved to be an inspired choice, with both starting strikers on the score sheet within 17 minutes. Tilbury having cancelled out H-Town's early opener, with a cool left foot strike across the goalkeeper following a smart through ball by stand-in-skipper Scott Sharples.
Will Carter then capitalized on a low Luke Bond cross from the right, firing into the top left hand corner with a powerful finish from 10 yards out, with the latter making up for his early error which lead the oppositions first chance and first goal of the game.
2-1 up and playing some good football, striker John Tilbury then had a perfectly good goal chalked off for offside, a harsh decision at best but the Lions soon increased their advantage when Jake Sherwin pounced on a chest-off by big JT and fired an absolute rocket into the same top corner Carter had found, from all of 30 yards. It was a goal that would of had to be seen to be appreciated, and will be up there as a contender of goal of the season, come May, I'm sure.
Half Time came and went and despite Carter's plea's to "Stay focused, and don't get complacent", the Lions conceded two dreadful goals within 10 minutes of the restart, to find themselves level again at 3-3. In this time, Collins had come off to be replaced by Phippen, eager to impress once more. It was perhaps harsh on Collins who had worked tirelessly and helped out well defensively.
Carter then came off for West, moments after seeing a 25 yard chip disallowed for having kicked the ball after the whistle had blown for offside. Despite West making a big point at half time about not "diving in" on the slippy surface, he soon abandoned his own instructions and was booked by the referee for a bad tackle inside 5 minutes of making his entry to the game. Priceless.
Despite conceding two early goals, the Lions stood firm and soon their quality told, with substitute Phippen, keeping up his averages of a goal a game, finishing off a delightful ball over the top by man-of-the-match, Tilbury.
Tilbury then legitimately added his second of the game, shooting low to beat the keeper after Sharples had again fed the big frontman. 5-3 up and with the game seemingly won, Carter dropped Tilbury into the middle of the field, pushed the impressive Jake Sherwin out to the wing and moved Keegan Casey up front, it was thought this tactical change would tighten up the midfield and hopefully give Casey the chance to grab a much needed first of the season, utilizing the young South African's pace against a tiring H-Town backline. Within minutes, this is exactly what happened, Casey left with all the time in the world following an inch perfect precision through ball by Phippen to pick a spot and bury it, much to his obvious relief, and that of the rest of the team.
The game continued for another few minutes before the ref Richie Alexander, who it must be said - had a fantastic game, blew the whistle to end the contest.
6 goals and 3 points, most teams would take this every weekend.
