Basingstoke Buffalo 6, Lee Valley Lions 2 THIS was the game in which Lions hoped to turn the tables on their Hampshire hosts, who have beaten the Lea Bridge Road side twice previously this season. Lions also had Michael Ranby back in their line-up, so wer

Basingstoke Buffalo 6,

Lee Valley Lions 2

THIS was the game in which Lions hoped to turn the tables on their Hampshire hosts, who have beaten the Lea Bridge Road side twice previously this season.

Lions also had Michael Ranby back in their line-up, so were optimistic about their chances.

But a disastrous first period sealed the Lions' fate again, a spell from which they never recovered.

They made a decent start and matched their opponents for the opening minutes, but Romanas Fedotovas missed an early chance and net-minder Andrew Boot saved from the home side's Goodchild.

Boot continued to shine and made a number of fine saves, but eventually Buffalo slid their first goal in.

From this point, the Basingstoke side took charge and the visitors' confidence nose-dived.

Shot after shot came at Boot and as one rebounded off the boards, it bounced into the goal from Cathcart to put the home side 2-0 up. Moments later Beere scored to put Basingstoke 3-0 ahead.

There was no let-up and with his defence missing, Boot was beaten again by a Goodchild effort and although Stas Prokofiev and Ashley Curtin made good efforts at the opposition goal, both saved by net-minder Field, Beere scored a Basingstoke from right in front of the goal with Lions' defence again AWOL!

Lions were lucky not to be further in arrears as another Basingstoke effort hit the crossbar, but that seemed to wake up the East Londoners and in the second period they gave the home side much more to worry about.,

Prokofiev reduced arrears with a smart finish having been set up by Michael Jacobs.

After Lions survived one breakaway attempt on their goal to increase the margin, they weren't so lucky the next time as Basingstoke added to the tally.

Lions ended the scoring when Nick Alley scored with a powerful slapshot that found the home net, from an assist by Prokofiev.

In the final session, Lions prevented any further home goals, out-shot their hosts 19-8 but after such a poor and frustrating first period, the game was well beyond them.

If only they had played the first periods as they played the last, Lions might have had something to smile about on the journey home.