The Lions had to come from behind twice to get a point in an entertaining game. The Lions could have been out of sight within the first 15 minutes but were made to rue a number of missed chances in front of goal during that dominant period.
Line-up:
Phil (GK)
Kyle (RB), Richard (CB), Danny (CB), Ollie (LB)
Dale (CM), JP (CM), Lee (CM)
Nathan (RF), Scott (CF), Gary (LF)
With far better weather and a more playable pitch than last week, the Lions took control of the early exchanges, with Nathan providing a great cross in from the right that was volleyed over by Scott. Gary had several sights at goal cutting from the left, but uncharacteristcally, his shots were all straight at their keeper, who was kept busy but not really stretched.
With both our regular centre-backs missing, Rich and Danny were putting in a good shift at the heart of our defence, but after our good opening, the Mavericks forced their way into the game and we were being pressed back for long spells. As happens all too often, we found that we couldn't get our passing together and were giving away possession far too easily. They had a couple of efforts on goal, one long range effort that was palmed wide another where their main striker rounded the keeper but the shot was cleared off the line by Danny and Kyle covering for me.
Their goal was coming but I have to hold my hand up and say that it was a bit of a howler on my part. They put a high free kick in towards goal that should have been caught easily enough but I misjudged the curl on the ball and moved too far, too soon, ending up palming it weakly into the net. A gift and we didn't deserve to give such a soft goal away.
We couldn't find a reply before half time and we got a much-needed rocket from JP in the interval becvause we had been very poor after the first quarter of an hour.
A couple of changes were made with Gregg and Matt Power coming on for their season debuts in place of JP and Kyle and we started the second half well enough. Forcing a corner in the first couple of minutes. However, they cleared the corner kick out to their striker who outpaced Danny and drove the ball low into the back of the net.
They could have had another one soon after, but a combination of Danny and myself managed to snuff out the chance. We then got a goal back through Gregg when he latched onto the ball down the left and fire3d off a low shot that their goalie could only palm into the net.
We got the second from the spot, when the ref blew for a penalty after one of the most blatant shoves I've ever seen in the area on Lee - proper two handed, send the man flying, shove. Gary stepped up and dispatched it into the bottom corner.
The best goal of the game came from their main man, who controlled the ball on the volley from way outside the area and dispatched a high volley that dipped just underneath the cross bar a la Crouch for Stoke vs Man City last season. No shame in not keeping that out.
But with time running out, we got the point our second half perfomance at least merited when Rich, sent a goal kick up towards Gregg who worked the ball out to Matt P moving up from the right back position. He sent a low cross/shot in that was met by Kev sliding in to get the final equalising goal.
A point gained then and whilst it's disappointing not to get 3 points when we had so many chances early on, we once again showed our battling qualities towards the end.
