F.C. Lions of Wycombe can be proud of their never-say-die attitude this morning, after coming back from 2 goals down to draw level on 88 minutes, and claim a much appreciated point, against in-form H-Town.
The Lions had a pre-match game plan which they stuck to doggedly throughout, and it almost looked in vain as H-Town scored 2 early goals in the match, one bei...ng an unfortunate own goal from central defender Simon Thomas.
However the Lions have had a mentality instilled in them that comes down from the top, and soon after Ben Phippen was allowed time to shoot inside the 18 yard box unchallenged which forced a good reaction save from the H-Town 'keeper - he could only parry the shot out though, and striker Will Carter seized on the opportunity, and gratefully volleyed the ball into the back of the net to give the Lions a chance in the game.
Full of confidence after the goal and a buzzed opening start to the game, Carter then dropped deep picking up a pass from midfield and produced a delightful ball over the H-Town defence for strike partner Phippen to race on to and fire high beyond the 'keeper to level the scores.
Phippen then saw another fierce effort tipped agonizingly past the post, and Royan Collins saw an effort fizz narrowly wide, before Carter had the ball in the back of the net again - this time checking his run before beating the defender to a diagonal cross from Scott West and flicking the ball into the far corner, however the Lions celebrations were cut short when the referee spotted the Linesman's flag and ruled the effort out. It's times like this when you wish the League would employ neutral officials on the sidelines.
Then on the half time whistle, a H-Town throw in wasn't dealt with and the ball was fired high past Tom Stevens in the Lions goal. 3-2 to the home side.
The Lions came out at the start of the second half with a point to prove, and chances were quickly created but to no avail. Each blue and white attack was met with equally strong defending by H-Town, who were quite happy to soak up pressure before trying to hit the away team on the Counter.
After 60 minutes defender Dan Stacey came off the bench to replace Scott West who had done another fine job at full back, and shortly afterwards Royan Collins took a rest to be replaced by striker Alan Davies. With 3 strikers on the field the Lions really pushed and pushed for the equaliser but it wasn't until Carter switched things up again with 10 minutes to go, this time pushing midfielder Jake Sherwin up front to create what, in effect, was a 4 man striker force, that the equaliser eventually came. Sherwin having seen an earlier effort well saved, left with time and space to pick the bottom corner out with a cool finish inside the box and send the boys into rapture.
The Lions did however did get a point at a cost, with several players entering the referee's book in the final stages of the game. First Keegan Casey for dissent, which was extremely harsh given the circumstances, then Ben Phippen talked his way into the book after giving away a foul, and then inexplicably applauded the referee's decision to issue the yellow card, thus earning himself a second yellow card in 5 seconds which then soon turned into a red. Phippen will now have to foot a un-necessary fine and miss at least one game for his actions. Player/Manager Will Carter then received the last card, and the first of his career, when he chopped down a H-Town centre half inside the centre circle. It was an ugly challenge and just about summed up the final minutes for the boys in blue. Upon reflection, Carter could easily have followed Phippen "down the tunnel" and will count himself lucky to have not done so.
All in all, a fair point for an even game.
