Lee Valley Lions -v- Oxford City Stars
18/02/06 (Lose 3-11)

Stefan Nubert (G)
Michael Ranby
Billy Whitney
Daniel Sampson (C)
Matyas Vas
Ian Courtney
Michael Jacobs
Scott Beeson
Richard Hodge
Romanas Fedotovas
David Howard
Ben Osborne
George Alley (G)
Joe Berry
Rob Courtman (A)

Dean Francis
Nick Eden
Ben Moody
Paul Donohoe
Andy Cox
Adam Andrews
Rob Perks
Marlon Williams
Nick Oliver
Danny Sturgeon
James Clarke
Rastislav Janisek
Jamie Thompson (G)
Darren Elliott (C)

Additional Comments:

The Lions were disadvantaged from the start in this game, missing the services of several regular players. The gaps were filled by members of the Lions' Under 19s but the team faced an uphill battle from the start against late arrivers Oxford.

The surprise came when Lions' Romanas Fedotovas opened the scoring for the home side with a well-executed goal at 01:45, assists going to Richard Hodge and Scott Beeson. Optimism, however, was sadly short-lived as the Stars hammered 5 goals in quick succession past frustrated back-up netminder, George Alley. The Stars' Man of the Match, Dean Francis, was a formidable force, either scoring or assisting in all 5 goals.

Alley was replaced at 12:49 by regular netminder, Stefan Nubert. He conceded a further Dean Francis goal less than 2 minutes later, but held firm throughout the rest of the first period, despite being severely tested by the Oxford forwards. At the buzzer the Lions were trailing 1-6.

The Lions' luck didn't improve in the second period, another 4 strong Stars goals winding their way through the weak Lions defence. Captain Dan Sampson was the only Lee Valley player to trouble the Oxford netminder, scoring a power play goal at 33:37 which was assisted by Ben Osborne.

The Lions emerged a stronger side for the final period, drastically reducing Oxford's chances of shots on goal. Richard Hodge scored a short-handed goal for the Lions at 58:20, assisted by the team's top points-scorer, Scott Beeson. Lee Valley held Oxford back until 59:05 when a penalty against Matyas Vas gave Oxford the upper hand, allowing them to bag the last goal of the night.

Man of the Match for the Lee Valley Lions was Richard Hodge, who'd scored 1+1. As Dean Francis had scored or assisted in all but 1 of Oxford's 11 goals (scoring 6+4) it was no surprise that he received the accolade for his team.

Referee was Russell-Samways, Linesman was Beck.