Broken Herts
FOOTBALL ANDY Landesberg offered no excuses as London Lions failed in their bid to retain the Herts Centenary Trophy, succumbing to promotion rivals Baldock Town for the third time this season.
Having lost their two recent matches in the Spartan South Midlands League — 3-0 away and 4-1 at home — the Lions started as underdogs, but they made a promising start under the floodlights at Hemel Hempstead FC on Tuesday.
Leading marksman Adam Bolle was denied twice by Baldock goalkeeper Adam Harpur in the first half. James Harpin rescued the Lions on a couple of occasions, claiming a well-struck free-kick from Russell Bull, which crept under the wall, at the second attempt, via the post, before rushing off his line to make another brave block.
Then Adam Burchell raced clear of the Baldock defence only to be scythed down by Harpur just outside the penalty area. The goalkeeper was relieved to escape with just a caution.
Boosted by the let-off, Baldock went on the attack and a dangerous cross from the left was bundled over the line by Alex Coppin on 35 minutes.
The Lions showed renewed impetus at the start of the second half, but Baldock defended well and in numbers. Indeed, they were rarely stretched by a Lions team who have hit 76 goals in the league so far this season, with Bolle, Austin Lipman and Adam Burchell well-marshalled.
Baldock secured victory eight minutes from time when a misunderstanding between Adam Harvey and Harpin allowed substitute Harrison Holland to nip in and score.
Landesberg commented: “We missed a couple of early chances which
affected our momentum but we did fairly well overall. In a game like that you need to take your opportunities.”
Asked about the difference between the teams, Landesberg responded: “With the exception of a couple of senior players, we’re a very young team and are doing really well. Baldock were stronger and more experienced and ran out worthy winners.
“On reflection, a lack of experience cost us but from a performance point of view nothing made me angry. There were several periods where we were the better team.”
With another cup final on the horizon against league leaders Southall next month, Landesberg insists that exciting times lie ahead for his young squad.
“We’ve got to look at where we’ve come from in the last three years,” he commented. “Our journey is far from finished. We’re only at the start and I believe there’s a lot more to see from quite a few of these boys. And with players of the calibre of Josh Kennet, Max Kyte and
AFA VETERANS CUP FINAL
MLLIONS 2
DUN COW 2
(DUN COW WON 4-3 ON PENALTIES)
THERE WAS also cup final disappointment for Lions Vets as they succumbed to Dun Cow on penalties at Norsemen FC in Edmonton.
The Lions lost winger Richard Baum inside the opening 15 minutes with a leg injury but they were soon in the ascendency when Paul Lenchner opened the scoring with a fantastic strike. Receiving the ball with his back to goal in the inside left channel 25 yards from goal, he took a touch before turning his marker and curled a shot into the top left-hand corner.
Dun Cow responded, forcing Brad Lee into action with a couple of smart saves at the beginning of the second half and they were in the ascendency following an own goal from Matt Kleinman and a well-taken goal.
With time running out, a teasing cross from Tony Gold fell into the path of winger Max Radford who fired a sweetly struck volley into the net to take the tie to penalties.
Hadley Silver, Pete Lazard and Gold converted their spot-kicks, but Danny Piler missed and Radford and Sugarman saw their efforts saved.
Lee managed to save one penalty while another was missed but he could do little about the final kick which clinched the cup for Dun Cow.
LIONS VETS: B. Lee, J. Rayner, D. Piler, A. Myers, P. Lazard, C. Pearl, M. Kleinman, R. Baum, P. Lenchner, M. Radford, T. Gold. Subs: M. Wagman, H. Silver, D. Sugarman
SOUTHERN AMATEUR U21 LEAGUE
SOMERS TOWN 4
ML LIONS 4
TWO GOALS from Adam Arnold ensured that Lions under-21’s shared the honours with Somers Town following an eight-goal thriller in the SAL.
The visitors held a clear physical advantage, but it was the hosts who settled first, with some quick and incisive play from Josh Shack and Shaun Levine in midfield creating openings for Tyler Smith and the Dan Creese early on.
Arnold then showed great composure to stroke the ball into the bottom corner following good work by Shack and Creese.
Somers Town responded, scoring two quickfire goals to lead 2-1 at halftime but Lions improved in the second half, with Max Misrahi driving them forward. Their pressure was soon rewarded when good work from Misrahi allowed Arnold to fire home.
Creese continued to torment Somers Town with his pace and trickery and he scored the goal of the game, skipping past three challenges before rifling a fine effort into the net.
Shack bundled home a fourth but the Lions were unable to hold on to their advantage, conceding twice in the last five minutes.
A Lions spokesman said: “These games are all about performance and the side turned in another impressive one. Misrahi was outstanding in the centre of the park while Creese showed his unquestionable talent.”
LIONS U21: N. Bloohn, L. Lazarus, Z. Rose, M. Misrahi, B. Schwarzmann, N. Anders, J. Shack, S. Levine, A. Arnold, T. Smith, D. Creese. Subs: J. Bellman, G. Leigh