Lions start this game hoping to bounce back after last weeks humiliating defeat to Reddish Villa, a hard week training and a major overhaul on tactics stands Lions in good stead for the game. 

However if they are going to come out of this game victorious, they would have to do it without vice captain Theo H (away at Cub camp) and Star defender Miller (at home sick), the good news is Keaton returns to the lineup after recovering from a broken ankle.

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Lions with a new look formation and some big changes to the line up, start with Freddie in goal, Alfie starts in an unfamiliar role in the back line, in place of Miller. Alex joins him to form the defensive unit. Ronny deployed over on the right wing, covering in place of Alfie, Keaton takes his place on the left, Leighton makes his first start in attack, in place of Theo H, whilst Layton W starts as striker. Theo E ready on the side readying himself at any moment to enter the field. 

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Lions start immediately on the front foot, Leighton and Layton doing exactly what is asked of them in these early stages, darting at the West End defense at pace forcing them into numerous errors. 

Early chances fall to Keaton, Layton and Leighton however all denied from either the goalkeeper or just hitting them a whisker wide. 

Finally the breakthrough comes, courtesy of some excellent pressing from Lions, Keaton works the ball down the left hand side, twists inside, twists outside, cuts the ball across, its on a plate for Layton W who hammers home from close range giving Lions a well deserved lead. 

West End look shaken but definitely not out, they immediately take the ball down the opposite end for a rare chance, The Lions defense are at 6's and 7's, West End one on one with the keeper.......Freddie comes out to close the ball down....Right footed....wow Alfie gets back in the nick of time and turns the ball around the post for a corner, im not quite sure how he managed to stop that going in, but Lions breath a sigh of relief but still have work to do from this corner. 

Alfie again becomes the saviour of the corner, big kick upfield, Keaton takes over, feeds an excellent pass to Layton which splits the backline, Layton hits it and back off the post. The last chance of the first half, Lions looking good, but really should be leading by a bigger margin. You do feel Lions need that 2 goal cushion if they are to come away with the win. 

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Lions simply told at half time to keep doing what they are doing, pressing high up the field whilst being switched on at the back.

Theo E thrown into the action now in place of an energetic Leighton, Theo told to upset the West End backline and run his socks off. 

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Lions out for the second half and again they press, again West End cant get out of their own box, never mind own half. Chances are rare in this half but there are plenty of goalmouth scrambles, Lions unlucky not to extend their lead. Rare opportunities fall to West End but mopped up by Alfie on almost every occasion. 

The closest West End came to a goal was a one on one again, Lions dominant pushing, left gaps at the back, West End capitalized on this on the one occasion, Freddie came to the rescue again with an excellent piece of goalkeeping to keep the lead intact. 

Lions finally do extend the lead further, Leighton is re deployed upfront, he receives a great ball once again from Keaton, a great solo run from Leighton leaves him one on one with the keeper, Leighton hits a great strike past a helpless West End keeper, securing the win which in fairness you have to say well deserved. Lions may feel like they should have won this by 5 or 6 but a great result and without 2 big players.

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Alfie recieves man of the match, Leighton may feel unlucky not to have got it, but im sure he will be delighted with his goal. Alfie in fairness , thrown into this position, covering for a poorly Miller, asked to do a job and he absolutely did it in style, some great communication, great tackling and even seemed to link defense into attack with some great passes. 

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Well done to the Lions boys, hopefully they can use this as a bench mark and kick start their season from here. Next up Signol Athletic.