F.C Lions of Wycombe were the catalyst of their own downfall this morning, in a game that was tighter than the waistband on Roy Chubby Brown's trousers. Due to several enforced absentees, the Lions lined up with no fewer than SIX changes to the team that took to the field last time out, in the 3-0 reverse to Chinnor Athletic Reserves. In came Sherwin, Harris, Bond, Stacey, Davies and the returning Keegan Casey after serving his suspension for his red card against Naphill Mens. Out went Tilbury, Carter, Grabe, Collins, Why and Thomas. - Collins, Grabe and Why missing the game through injury.
The two teams had shared an entertaining 2-2 draw only 4 weeks ago, and the return fixture seemed to have come around inexplicably early.
The game began and both teams had chances to score reasonably early on, the best of the Lions chances fell to Keegan Casey who saw his shot well saved after being allowed to run at the heart of the Penfold defence. Andy Harris then nearly netted his first Lions goal with an effort that crashed into the side netting. Penfold did have several attempts at goal and the Lions can be thankful to keeper Tom Stevens who read everything brilliantly and took decisive action when required.
The talking point of the first half came after 28 minutes when striker Ben Phippen was involved in an ugly confrontation with a Penfold defender, before several other players intervened and the matter threatened to spiral out of control. The Penfold player in question was lucky to stay on the field, as the referee seemingly missed his shove in the face of Phippen. Alan Davies was subsequently reprimanded in the fracas and handed his first yellow card of the season.
The Lions took the lead on 39 minutes when the impressive Jake Sherwin won the ball in the middle of the field, and with nothing on going forwards, played a 40 yard ball back to 'Keeper Tom Stevens, Stevens produced a customary long hoof up the other end of the field that went over the Penfold defence for Casey and Phippen to chase, Casey having to check his run as he was in a clear offside position, which left Phippen the chance to round the keeper and bury his 11th of the season so far. The Penfold players surrounded the referee, complaining that Casey was "active" in the goal, and after taking a moment to consult his linesman who had indeed raised his flag, the referee signalled for the goal. 1-0 to the boys in blue.
Minutes later the game saw it's second goal, and what a goal it was. Sherwin had picked the ball up deep in his half and proceeded to beat 3 players before inexplicably being chopped down around 30 yards, and to the left of the goal. Skipper Scott Sharples placed the ball down and proceeded to hit a thumping shot which hit the post and went in. A truly fantastic effort from distance, that should've been enough to win the game.
However, with this second goal, the tables turned and Penfold refused to lay down and roll over and they duly nicked one back minutes later in almost identical circumstances to the Lions first, a big kick from the keeper bounced over the Lions back four and was lofted in by Reece Rutley, over the advancing Tom Stevens. 2-1 game on.
With the bit now between their teeth, the away side threw caution to the wind and pegged the game back level on the stroke of half time when Luke Bond was too easily beaten on the right hand side of the Lions box, and allowed a shot to come in which crashed off the inside of the post and fell for winger Josh Harvey to tap into an empty net. Dan Stacey will be disappointed to have not been able to get closer to his man.
2-2 HALF TIME
Manager Carter issued the half time rallying call, and the boys were urged to continue doing the things that had enabled them to gain a 2-0 advantage. No need to panic, keep playing football, keep your heads up.
The second half was as tight as the first half and the ball rarely got out of the middle of the park. There were several chances for the Lions with Scott Sharples missing a host of chances to put the Lions in front. Keegan Casey was also unlucky not to put the Lions in front when he was clean through but forced the keeper into a spectacular diving save. Even midfielder Alan Davies almost notched one, when his overhead kick was headed over at the far post.
With the Lions missing these chances, you somehow felt that it would come back to haunt them and it did.. Striker Howard Holmes muscled his way through the Lions defence and smashed home what proved to be the winner in the 70th minute. He was one of 3 men identified by the Lions as a threat before the game.
The rest of the game was a scrappy affair and neither side really got a foothold on the game. There was time for one more talking point though, as Keegan Casey had a 89th minute equaliser ruled off for offside. The referee again having to consult the linesman who appeared to raise his flag the moment danger loomed. There was a melee afterwards as the Lions felt it was an injustice, with Casey looking to have been at least 2 yards onside when the ball was put across the box.
Carter then went for broke and shoved Andy Harris and Michael Jocelyn forwards to make a 7 man strike force for the last 2 minutes but there wasn't enough time to make a difference and Holmes late goal proved to be the one to split the teams.
