Industrious Lions open Cup campaign

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This is the first time since the reformation of the Lee Valley Lions that they have entered a cup competition (ENIHL Div 2 Cup) and on the team’s display during this fabulous game it has certainly been a good move. The new-look Lions, while not big in numbers, certainly gave Peterborough – a team tipped to win the league this season – a healthy work-out and caused them a number of problems.

The Lions have acquired Ben Duffy, Simon Jones and ex-Guildford junior, Henry Aiken. All three are extremely hard working players with Ben Duffy combining well with the returning Chris Fox and new Lions captain, Nick Alley. On the evidence of this game this could well be a formidable line this year.

Although it was no surprise that Peterborough had the majority of the possession throughout this game the Lions, and in particular netminder James Tipple, presented Peterborough with a wall of solid defence that the visitors struggled to break down.

Peterborough opened the scoring at 09:31 with Bradley Moure finding the back of the net, assisted by Conor Stokes and Robert MacDonald. However, the industrious Lions were level on 11:04 when Nick Alley scored a truly amazing goal, receiving a pass from Matthew Hepburn and skating from his own blue line up the centre of the ice, staying on his feet after three hefty body checks before shooting high past the despairing Peterborough netminder. The Islanders added one more goal before the end of what was an evenly contested period through Kenny Bavin at 15:04, assisted by Nathan Pollard and Daniel Lane.

In the second period the Lions’ lack of numbers and the quality of the opposition started to tell. Peterborough scored three unanswered goals despite the best efforts of all the Lions, with Kevin Bavin netting his second of the game and and both James Pentecost and Nathan Pollard opening their accounts for this season.

In the third period the Lions seemed to get their second wind and came out with a collective purpose, taking the game to Peterborough. This bold approach brought its rewards at 45:18, with Phil ‘Killer’ Carson knocking into an unattended net after some slick puck movement and a stinging low shot from a tight angle by Chris Fox.

The Lions maintained the high work rate throughout the rest of the period and made a number of other chances. By riding their luck and relying on a man of the match performance by James Tipple the home side kept Peterborough at bay. The Lions’ brave resistance was finally broken at 56:22 when Conor Pollard netted for the Islanders.

The game played with great spirit and on this evidence the Lions could be looking at their best season for a while – COME ON YOU LIONS!

Invicta overpowered by on-form Lions

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Lee Valley Lions were at home to Invicta Mustangs on 8 November for their second of four matches. After their previous meeting which saw the Lions 8 – 2 victors, the Lions knew Invicta would come out harder and faster. It must have been all too familiar for Invicta when Nick Alley found the net at 0:32, assists going to Matt Drake and Mark Robinson. The Lions carried on applying pressure and captain Jay Hepburn found the net at 6:24, assisted by Nick Alley and Mark Robinson. At 14:47 Nick Alley found the net again for his 6th goal against Invicta in two games, Matt Drake with the assist.

End of 1st Period : Lions 3 – 0 Mustangs

The second period saw a stalemate for the first 10 minutes, but at 31:24 Invicta were first to score, courtesy of Michael Stokes and Bradley Slade supplying the assist. The Lions were unable to convert their chances in the second period, but created some good scoring opportunities.

End of 2nd Period : Lions 3 – 1 Mustangs

Invicta were first to score again in the final period: Jack Luton managed to find the net with a scramble in front of the goalie James Tipple at 46:23, the assist going to Thomas Oliver Mallet. It didn’t take the Lions long to reply and at 48:48 Matt Drake scored against his former club, Nick Alley and Mark Robinson all linking up again for the second time of the evening. Invicta hit back at the Lions, a goal at 55:18 coming from Bradley Guttridge, Bradley Slade and Kwame Holt getting the assists. However, captain Jay Hepburn killed off any chances that Invicta could have had with a unassisted short-handed goal timed at 56:07.

Final Score: Lions 5 – 3 Mustangs

MOM Mustangs :
MOM Lions : Nick Alley

Nick Alley 2 + 2, Jay Hepburn 2 + 0, Matt Drake 1 + 2 and Mark Robinson 0 + 3

Lions knocked by well-drilled Islanders

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Lee Valley Lions played away for the first of four encounters against Peterborough Islanders on 3 November. The Islanders thrashed Haringey the previous week 13 – 2 so the Lions knew they had a hard game ahead. In the first period the Lions spent the majority of the time in their own end defending, proving that the Islanders were as good as they expected. James Tipple, who started his first game of the season, showed he is more the capable of protecting the net for the Lions.

End of 1st period: Lions 0 – 3 Islanders

The second period began slightly differently to the first as the Lions seemed to have lost their bus legs and picked up their speed. It all kicked off when Tipple froze the puck and a Islander player was a little too close for Matt Drake’s liking. Drake tried to move the guy after he had made contact with Tipple after the whistle, he was set upon by two Islanders forcing (The Doctor) to step in. Two scraps went on in front of the net, James Hepburn leaving an Islander seeking medical attention. All involved received a 2 + 2 for roughing. The Islanders managed to find the net again before the end of the second period, but not before Stuart Spence had do defend himself against another Islanders attack.

End of 2nd period: Lions 0 – 4 Islanders

The final period seemed to be a completely different game; both teams came out knowing neither team was going to be bullied into defeat and all that was left now was to play hockey. Peterborough were first to score, but the Lions stuck at it and were finally rewarded with a goal from Matt Drake, assisted by Mark Robinson. Joe Weare was also involved in fisticuffs before the end of the game.

Final score : Lions 1 – 5 Islanders

MOM Islanders : #60
MOM Lions : #37 James Tipple

Drake 1 + 0, Robinson 0 + 1

Lions secure first win of new season

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Lee Valley Lions were on the road for their first of four games against the Invicta Mustangs on 25 October. The Lions went to Invicta with every intention of taking all the points and it took no less than a minute to get things rolling. At 0:32 Nick Alley found the net for the Lions, unassisted. The Lions piled on the pressure and were rewarded with a goal at 4:57, Grant Bignell netting his first of the season with an assist from Nick Alley and a further assist from Mark Robinson. At 14:33 the Lions showed the Mustangs that they are just as dangerous on the penalty-kill as they are even-strength. Captain Jay Hepburn netted his first of the season, assisted by Jarvis Mewett and Nick Alley.

End of 1st Period Lions 3 – 0 Mustangs

The 2nd period seemed to be a different game completely as the Mustangs came out ready for a match. The Lions soaked up the pressure, speed and hits that Invicta threw at them, and within a few minutes the Lions were back dictating the flow of the game. It took the Lions a little over 5 minutes to find the net and at 25:16 Mark Robinson was able to fire home his third goal of the season, unassisted. The Lions were full of confidence at this point and at 29:28 Nick Alley was able to find the net for the second time of the night. Less than 2 minutes passed and at 31:21 Alley was able to complete his hat-trick, Grant Bignell the provider. The Lions were back at it again at 33:41, Max Gerstain securing his first goal of the season, assisted by Nick Alley.

End of 2nd Period Lions 7 – 0 Mustangs

The 3rd Period saw the Lions off to a great start, much like the 1st period, a goal at 41:55 giving Nick Alley his fourth of the night. Assists came from Matt Drake and Jarvis Mewett. The Mustangs finally got the better of Aaron Mallet at 47:25, Kwame Holt finding the net for Invicta’s 1st goal of the season, Daniel Clayton & Bradley Gutridge with the assists. At 49:15 the Mustangs found the net again, Bradley Gutridge the scorer, Daniel Clayton and Jake Luton with the assists.

Final Score Lions 8 – 2 Mustangs

MOM Invicta – Thomas Oliver Mallett
MOM Lee Valley – Nick Alley

Nick Alley 4+3, Grant Bignell 1+1, Jay Hepburn 1+1, Mark Robinson 1+1, Max Gerstein 1+0, Jarvis Mewett 0+2 & Matt Drake 0+1