Stockport Falcons 68-63 Middlesbrough Lions

Middlesbrough Lions have endured a tough start to the season with many hurdles contributing to a turbulent start to the season. A £15k sponsorship deal fell through at the last minute, probably due to the credit crunch. On top of this, the club have had a tough opening of fixtures and in football terms have played Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea in Hull, Bury and Wirral, three of the title challengers. Both early away fixtures were cancelled by the opposing teams to provide more disruption and having waked away from three home losses, the club were felling wounded.

A 29pt win away to Liverpool brought confidence and flashes of what Lions are capable of, but big injuries to 7’1 Dean Hanson, Nigerian captain; Acho Anyigbo and young star Michael Peddie affected the team against local rivals Sonics and when the Lions travelled to Stockport last Saturday, not much more could go wrong… apart from Rob Parsons & Hygin Mputeya being added to the injured list along with the news that Hanson has suffered ligament damage and faces at least two months out. Lions now have 8 on the injured list and arrived at Stockport with just 5 players.

Stockport was a crucial game due to the league positions of both sides and the Lions were keen to pick up 3 wins from 3 games, this being one of them.

The home side opened the scores with the first 5pts, including a big 3 from Neil Wilson. Lions though produced a surge from the third minute which included big 3’s from Lee Norton and Ryon Dixon. The Lions would end the first period up 2pts but should have been a lot further ahead but for sloppy passing.

Lions struggled initially in the second quarter as Jack Parr inspired the Falcons with two shots and when Cameron Sweeney hit a 3 pointer in the fourth minute, Lions were now 4pts down, 19-15. A time out was called by Lions player/coach; James Thomson and Thomson then ensured a strong recovery as the point guard drew a number of fouls to place the Falcons into foul trouble. In the seventh minute Lions went to the line for 10 free shots, hitting 6 of them, Norton hitting all 6 of his attempts and the following up with a big 3 pointer to provide Lions with an 6pt lead, 21-27. Lions maintained a cushion until the final seconds when Wayne Greenough hit a buzzer beating 3 to reduce Lions lead to 4pts, 29-33 at the half.

The third quarter saw Lions mark the sheet first as Damian Warriner converted a lovely reverse drive. Warriner had been inconsistent on offense with flashes of brilliance mixed with sloppy passes and missed shots. His defence though was sublime and showed no signs of fatigue. To play 40mins of National League basketball without substitutes is no mean feat and the display from Lions was truly heroic, but a 17-2 run at the mid way point would result in another time out for Lions to rest and galvanise. Kelvin Cole was proving a threat for Falcons, hitting 10 of those points and Lions switched to a man defence to pay attention to his threat. The defensive switch seemed to work as Lions stemmed the flood with Lee Norton hitting a 3 in response and 6’10 Andrew Marshall drawing the fouls inside the key. Marshall hit 2 of 4 attempts and powered his way to the hoop for the final shot of the third quarter to reduce Lions deficit to 5pts, 49-44. For Lions it was a good finish to a bad quarter which saw Stockport win the period 20-11.

In the final quarter, Lions were tired, but still pushing. Andrew Marshall was a sensation on the rebounds and would finish the game with an incredible 19 boards, 1 shy of last weeks record 20. In the second minute, Norton produced an ‘And 1’ play after being fouled by Greenhough. Norton made the bonus to maintain his 100% from the line. Lions were biting at the ankles of the Falcons for the next four minutes, although Falcons captain; Neil Wilson was proving captain marvellous as he controlled the game adding 6pts. For Lions, Marshall was struggling inside with his finishing touch lacking accuracy. The big man did however add two buckets and when Warriner rose to the basket in the seventh minute Lions now found themselves down just 1pt, 60-59.

Sweeney would score for Falcons in the ninth minute, but Lions fired back through Norton. Sweeney then made another baseline drive which Lions failed to respond. Stockport then increased their lead through Cole and Hargreaves which would seal the game; 68-63.

Positive remarks from the home team of Lions remarkable five player display did little to cheer up the Middlesbrough side and the Teessiders even proved they had enough even with five to win the game, but a collection of poor decisions, poor free throws, sloppy passing and good play from Stockport resulted in Lions sixth loss of the season. The next two games against Merseyside away and Reddish home will define Lions season, even at this early stage.

The loss to Stockport hurts on a number of levels, firstly it was a rescheduled game which came at an awful time for Lions due to the incredible injury list, secondly Lions proved they could have won even with five and thirdly the gap between Lions and Stockport is now 6pts. Lions are 12pts away from leaders Bury.

(photo by Paul Gaythorpe - of Andrew Marshall who has been superb at rebounding for Lions)