Vintage Lions KO champs
FOOTBALL DAN Jacobs insists Maccabi London Lions are enjoying the ride after watching his Masters send defending MGBSFL champions Oakwood tumbling out of the national cup knockout competition.
Yet the signs looked ominous early on as Daniel Seligman drilled a shot past Rob Abrahams to give Oakwood the upper hand.
The Lions gradually gained a foothold — thanks to commanding performances in central midfield from Jon Ellis and Alex Levack — and they drew level when Joel Berg rose to power home a free-kick from Levack.
Oakwood regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when an excellent cross from Toby Levy was converted by a brave diving header at the far post by Seligman.
A change of formation at the start of the second half paid dividends for the Lions who equalised when good work from substitute Paul Hakim released Daniel Stanton who poked a cool finish into the bottom corner.
Lee Cash fired Lions in front with the goal of the game, controlling the ball on his chest before crashing home a stunning 25-yard volley with his left foot.
Stanton sealed the tie with another accomplished strike to set up a third round meeting against second division Fairlop FC.
Lions manager Dan Jacobs said: “The game was, of course, far more physically demanding than we are used to, so we are pleased with how we matched up on that side of things. And having done so, we’ve some pretty good technical players whose quality ultimately proved the difference.”
Jacobs was keen to play down the chances of the Masters going all the way. “We’ve set no expectations about winning any game let alone any competition,” he said, “but the victory allows us to look forward to another chance to test ourselves against the youngsters.”
Oakwood joint-manager Dan Kristall conceded that “the best team won”. Reflecting on a second consecutive defeat, he remarked: “It was a bad day at the office for us. Our squad was stretched, missing several key players, but Lions used their experience and quality to come through.
“Having taken the lead twice, we didn’t manage the game well enough. We gave away poor set-pieces and allowed Lions to play to their strengths.
“I felt as the match hinged on a big decision when we were leading 2-1. A very poor challenge on Luke Brookner, which their manager agreed with me about after the game, could have been a straight red card in addition to a followup incident which to be fair to the referee, I don’t think he saw. This should also have resulted in a sending off.
“This didn’t excuse who the better side were on the day but I feel we’d have gone on to win comfortably against nine or 10 men.
“We will regroup, recover some of the missing players and aim to get back to basics.
“We’re having a wobble but we have lots to play for and we’ll be in contention at the end of the season.”