Nottingham Lions 3 Sheffield Spartans 5
The Nottingham Lions’ hopes of avoiding the final relegation play-off spot took a blow at the NIC on Sunday night as the Sheffield Spartans took the two points.
Goals from Michael Rose (2) and Jack Clarkson were not enough to give the Lions a much needed victory, as the Spartans all-but ensured their place in the ENL Division 1 North next season.
"Two Goals" - Michael Rose.
Nick Manning got the Spartans off to a flying start with two goals in the first eight minutes before Rose pulled one back for the Lions.
Oliver Barron grabbed Sheffield’s third on the half-hour before Clarkson kept Nottingham in the hunt with forty seconds left in the second.
Rose looked like he had swung the game in the Lions’ favour with an equalising goal with less than a minute gone in the third but Luke Unwin got the Spartans back in front, before a uncharacteristic goalkeeping howler from Alan Levers gave Andy Turner a short-handed goal from his own defensive zone, to wrap-up the points for Sheffield.
Nottingham’s superior head-to-head record over the Coventry ENL Blaze currently sees them sitting one place above the relegation play-off spot despite being locked on points and games-played with their Midlands rivals.
The Lions now have three games remaining to avoid a play-off scenario, starting with their last away trip of the season, at Trafford Metros this Saturday (5.15pm Face-Off).
Don’t forget you can watch post-game interviews with Lions and Spartans’ players and staff on LionsTV – our very own online TV channel.
Game Stats:
Michael Rose 2+1, Jack Clarkson 1+1, Jack Baveystock 0+1.
Period Scores: 1st 1-2, 2nd 1-1, 3rd 1-2.
Shots: 1st 14-12, 2nd 17-15, 3rd 11-12. Total 42-39.
Pen. Minutes: 1st 6-8, 2nd 4-4, 3rd 2-2. Total 12-14.
Lions MOTM: Michael Rose.
