56 days after their defeat in the High Wycombe Sunday Combination Subsidiary Cup Final, F.C Lions began their 2019/2020 Pre Season with a 6-2 loss against Jolly Sportsman F.C.
Lions Gaffer Will Carter bouyed by the acquisition of former Astro 92 and Britannia F.C Manager Paul Slatter in an advisory role for the coming season, had to deal with notable absentees for the first of 7 friendlies scheduled before the Combination opener in under two months time.
The familiar front three of Conor Kelly, Ben Phippen and Cai Andrews all missing from this fixture, and with the trio so lethal in front of goal last term, it left a glaring omission from the Lions squad. Goalkeeper Brandon Boyle was also unavailable for the fixture, allowing Dale Why another appearance in the Lions net.
New signings Mark Slatter and Ryan North were included in the travelling 14, with the latter receiving a place in the Lions starting XI
It was evident from the moment referee Ade Piggott indicated the start of the game that Jolly Sportsman were treating this fixture with the same tempo and desire that saw them narrowley miss out on the Division Four title by a single point last season, something that the Lions back four struggled to deal with and within the first 10 minutes goalkeeper Dale Why was forced to make a smart near post save from a stinging Jolly Sportsman shot.
It wasn't long before the slick passing from Jolly Sportsman was rewarded. A neat passage of play saw the Sportsman striker slot a low strike into the back of the net.....1-0
Jamelle Theobalds (Little JT) was given a rare start leading the Lions attack and in truth was a complete handful for the Jolly Sportsman defence who simply couldn't handle JT's pace. Ade Piggot blew for several free kicks in the favour of the lions youngster and awarded F.C Lions a penalty in the 21st minute for a bodycheck that wouldn't have looked out of place in the NHL. Skipper for the day Scott Sharples handed JT the penalty taking duties and the youngster having spurned a few chances earlier cooly placed the ball into the back of the net.......1-1
Eight minutes later and Sportsman were back ahead. A mix up at the back and in truth a lack of communication by both Dale Jenkins and Dale Why gifted Sportsman a way back into the match with the opposing striker capatlaising on a comedic error........2-1
At this point F.C Lions grew into the game and started playing the short passing style that has won them plaudits and rewarded them with fine performances in recent times. A smart Scott Sharples pass found Keegan Casey who managed to rifle in a stinging shot past the Jolly Sportsman keeper to make sure Lions headed into the break level....2-2
Half time Subs. Mark Slatter on for Ryan North. Pete Ebberson on for Ross Coker.
Words of advice were given by Will Carter and Paul Slatter but in truth the Lions were put to the sword in the second half by a rampant Jolly Sportsman side with the Division Four 3rd Place team finding space in front of the Lions back four to slot four more goals in 45 minutes to condemn F.C Lions to a defeat in their first pre-season friendly.
A couple of tame efforts on goal from F.C Lions is all that can be reported in the second half. A lot of good build-up play was lost in the final third and a Jolly Sportsman side encouraged by each goal they scored meant F.C Lions weren't allowed to get into a better gear.
F.C Lions never really got going in the second half and a lack of fitness was telling throughout. There were however some positives in the performance of Kyle Haggis and Noel jeffers who both enjoyed stellar performances.
'Pre-Season is about learning' claimed Paul Slatter as he debriefed the Lions once the full time whistle had gone. Thats certainly the case and F.C Lions look ahead to their second pre-season friendly against Wycombe Athletic F.C, the team that beat Jolly Sportsman F.C to the Division Four title last season.
