With 511 days since Lions last competitive game, there was plenty of interest to see how the new look FC Lions 2.0 would fare against a side that inflicted their pre season defeat upon them only a matter of weeks ago, at the same ground.
Handing competitive debuts to no less than 6 new faces, (Gibbons, Haggis, Boyle, Ebberson, Gunnell and Kelly) there was less than 40 seconds on the clock when the ever lively Conor Kelly forced the keeper into a fingertip save, before the resulting corner from Phippen was thumped home off the underside of the crossbar by Lions skipper Matt Gunnell.
It wasn't long before some questionable Lions defending saw a shot from distance lashed beyond a helpless Gibbons at his near post. 1-1
Lions are never one to fail to show character as this game showed again, when another debutant, and former Beaconsfield Arms general, Pete Ebberson followed Gunnell's suit, following in from close range after the Hazlemere keeper let a shot spill.
Lions didn't hold onto this lead for long either however, as Jake Sherwin, enjoying a solid game at centre half, felled an opposition player 20 yards from goal, picking up a yellow card in the process. The resulting set piece was expertly despatched beyond Gibbons dive into the far corner.
Conor Kelly, an absolute thorn in Hazlemere's side all game, saw the first of 2 efforts ruled offside, and a stone wall penalty denied, before laying on Lions third goal, with a clever reverse ball into the feet of Scott Sharples, who after cutting inside his man, fired the ball high into the net from 15 yards. Brandon Boyle deserves great credit for this goal with his desir to keep the ball in play moments before. Sharples now looks back to his best, netting for the 4th consecutive game in row after a fine pre-season campaign.
3-2 HALF TIME
With Lions caught out against the long ball tactics deployed by todays hosts in the recent friendly, the away side were issued with stern instructions for the second half, defending against the slope. Skipper Gunnell uted them perfectly, ensuring the back four defended high and the team pressed all over the park. However some more lacklustre defending allowed Hazlemere to equalise once more, before Lions were awarded a penalty for handball, with the unusually out-of-sorts Ben Phippen given the responsibility to restore Lions lead which he did, sending the keeper the wrong way for his 93rd competitive goal in red and black colours.
Conor Kelly then got the goal his performance deserved, when released by the impressive Kyle Haggis down the right, he beat his man and fired a low shot across the keeper into the far corner. Still time for Hazlemere to add their fourth when a high ball was allowed to bounce in the box before being buried with aplomb.
On 84 minutes, Andy Harris pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury, being replaced by player-manager Will Carter. Harris had enjoyed a superb game, covering every blade of grass in an eye catching performance, and it's hoped he recovers in swift fashion.
If there's one thing Lions do, and do well, it's score late, late goals. Today was no different, with firstly Conor Kelly winning and then converting his penalty for his brace (85), before a Lions counter attack was finished by Ben Phippen (88), equalling Man of the Match, Kelly's two goal haul, after being well played through by the creative Sharples.
A good start from Lions, who have had an impressive pre season, many excellent performances today.
MoM: Conor Kelly. A performance that had everything. Capped by 2 goals and an assist.
