The Lions sealed second place with a comprehensive win over the Division's basement team, putting 8 goals past them for the second time this year. Combined with AFC Reigate's loss to Double H in their double header, it means that the Lions have achieved their highest ever finish (in any league) and secures promotion to Division 1 in second place.
Line-up:
Dorian (GK)
Kyle (RB), Simon (CB), Phil (CB), JUlian (LB)
JP (CM), Nathan (CM), Rich (CM),
Gary (RF), Scott (CF), Ollie (LF)
With the title gone and our destiny pretty much in our own hands, we were pretty relaxed going into this game. The oppo had recently lost by only a narrow margin to Newdigate, so it did have the potential to be a tough match, but it really didn't work out that way. We dominated the game from the start and for the first few minutes set up camp in their half. The breakthrough came when a simple pass (it may have been a shot, come to think of it) through the crowded penalty area found Scott all by himself at the far post, with just the simplest of tap-ins required to open the scoring. Ollie added another after being found by a centred pass from Scott then Scott got his second when he fired in low from a central position in the area. The keeper could perhaps have done better as the ball was allowed to squirm under his body to just creep over the line. The goal was particularly significant as it marked Scott's overtaking of Gary as top goal scorer in a season for the Lions
They pulled one back when Dorian failed to hold onto a free kick and the loose ball was buried by the onrushing striker. We got another before half time though when Rich popped up in the area to tap the ball home to restore our 3 goal lead.
Easy team talk then, and after a shuffle round in personnel we came out to do more of the same. Adam playing at right back, kept putting in some delightful low passes to the attacking trio, one of which found Scott on the edge of the area. He had time to turn and pick his spot and drill it past the keeper to complete his hat-trick. Ollie wasn't finished though, as he just failed to finish off a wonderful flowing move when his side-footed shot went just the wrong side of the post. That was soon forgotten when he made a run towards the near post to meet Gary's corner with a stooping, wonderfully controlled header that gave the keeper no chance. He then sealed his own hat-trick with a thumping left-foot finish past the keeper.
I then made one of the shortest substitute appearances ever when I manged to take an almighty tumble after going up for a header that left me in a heap off the field and ruled me out of the rest of the game about a minute after coming back on. There was quite a break in the play and I wasn't really paying much attention when it restarted, so no idea what happened until the final minute when Nathan broke through to add the eighth and final goal with another good finish.
Whistle went pretty much straight after that to bring the curtain down on an outstanding performance by the Lions and not just in this game as it turned out: Mitoo eventually revealed the results of AFC Reigate's games to confirm us as Division 2 runners-up for 2012/13, with 2 now meaningless games remaining (these will now not be played).
It's been a superb effort by the Lions this season: 7 clean sheets in the League, best defensive record by far, contributing to the best goal difference in the Division. Reached a cup semi-final, progressed further in the County Cup than ever before, scoring more goals and conceding fewer than ever before in a season. Looking over the previous seasons, we really have improved year-on-year in all areas in this League. We will now in all likelihood be going into DIvision 1 next season which will be tough, but we've got the players and team to make a proper go of it. COME ON THE LIONS!!!!!
