Lethal Lions book final slot, now Scrabble lie in wait

FOOTBALL MACCABI London Lions A will play Scrabble in the final of this season’s Henry Swerner Cup final after they came from a goal down to crush Chigwell Athletic 6-1.

Facing a 16-man Chigwell squad, “who probably didn’t have a player in their 40’s,” according to Lions jointmanager Dan Reuben, the hosts “put on an incredible performance”.

With a squad featuring an “average age of 45, with only one player in his 30’s,” the Lions showed tremendous skill and character to recover from a bizarre own goal when Andy Myers spectacularly sliced a clearance into his own net.

However, the Lions recovered to lead at half-time with goals from Myers, who atoned for his error by meeting a Hadley Silver corner with a firm downward header into the back of the net, and also a 25-yard thunderbolt from Max Radford.

Lions also wasted a few chances in the first half, but they “were clinical” in the second half, as goals from Mike Abraham, two great strikes by captain Bradley Lazarus and a Paul Lenchner finish saw them run out 6-1 winners.

A delighted Reuben commented: “There were some fine performances, but special mentions go to Hadley Silver, who controlled the tempo of the game, and man-of-the-match Dan Geey, who bossed the midfield.

“Now we are looking forward to a tough final against Scrabble.”

Meanwhile, the top against bottom tussle in Division Two of the Masters League went with form as leaders EHRS Stonegrove crushed Hendon Harriers 4-0.

Goals from Ian Sassoon (2), Marc Morris and Martin Seifert sealed victory, extending their advantage at the top to seven points, albeit having played three games more than rivals Lions B.

Glenthorne and Temple Fortune played out an enthralling 4-4 draw. Fortune’s goals came via Graham Meyer (2), James Ryan and Gideon Wetrin. Glenthorne replied through Sid Shaw (2), Gary Adams and Adam Lennard.